German loss night 10/11th November 1944

[Hans Nauta]

Dear researchers,

I hope someone is able to help me out with the next query:


Kriegstagebuch des Marinebefehlshabers in den Niederlanden:
11.XI.44
02.03 Uhr. Den Helder
In Richtung 320 Grad, Entfernung 12 km wurde ein Flugzeugabsturz beobachtet.

(War Diary of the Naval Commander in The Netherlands
11.XI.44
02.03 hrs Den Helder
At bearing of 230 degrees, at 12 km distance a crash was observed)

This position is over the North Sea West of Texel.
There's no Bomber Command, Coastal Command, Fighter Command or 2TAF loss which matches with above account, so I suspect it may have been a German aircraft, presumably a He.111 of KG3 or KG53 which were active during that period in that region with regard to the V-1 campaign against Britain.

I'm well aware of the limitations of details concerning 1944 Luftwaffe losses, but perhaps somebody has a clue on file?

Thanks in advance for the effort,
Hans Nauta

[rob van den nieuwendijk]

Hello Hans,

According to KG 53 - eine Chronik Berichte Erlebnisse Dokumente 1936-1945 by Heinz Kiehl, page 326 -

10.11.44 3./KG 53 England mia
FF Ofhr Wilhelm Jansen
BO Fhr Rudolf Grosmann
BF Uffz Artur Sterzing
BS Ogefr Erich Krüger

Could this be the one...?

Regards
Rob

[Hans Nauta]

Hi Rob,

Thanks for your very quick reply. Although 3./KG53 didn't operate as launching platform for V-1's (in fact III/KG53 did) it may be worth to check this entry.

As the crew is still missing it's almost sure that this He.111 was lost over sea. Perhaps a matching Allied claim with regard to time and location may put pieces together?

Regards,
Hans Nauta

[rob van den nieuwendijk]

Hans,

see page 287 - same source:

" .. ab Anfang November 1944 wie von den Plätzen Zwischenahn, Jever und Wittmund (II. Gruppe) und Ahlhorn, Varelbusch (I. Gruppe), Geschwaderstab in Zwischenahn, die Einsätze mit der V1 gegen London."

so I./KG 53 also involved with V1 operations..

regards
Rob

[Chris Goss]

Ohfr Janssen (3/KG 53) went missing 10 Nov 44 whilst Ofw Walter Stramp (4/KG 53) and Lt Guenter Scholz (4/KG 53) went missing 11 Nov 44. I have no Allied claims. All were involved in launching V1s

[Hans Nauta]

Hi Rob,

You're quite right, I've mixed things up, it was III/KG3 operating too with the V-1.

Regards,
Hans

[Hans Nauta]

Dear Chris,

Thanks for adding details, the second crew listed as missing on 11th November make things a bit more difficult.

Hope that someone can shed a light on this with the aid of the Namentliche Verlusstmeldungen!

Best regards,
Hans Nauta

[Chris Goss]

I have the NVM and they cannot help!

[mhuxt]

There were apparently two Mosquito claims for He 111s destroyed on 10/11 November, by 25 and 68 Squadrons (one apparently 70 miles east of Lowestoft, the other over the North Sea), with another Probable by 125 Squadron, again no specific location.

There was one claim by 25 Squadron on 9/10 November and one by 68 Squadron on 11/12 November.

All of the above from secondary sources so caveat emptor - I've no details re: exact locations or times.

[Chris Goss]

You are right-my mistake! I will have a look tonight and give times and locats