Crash of Walter Matoni

[Jochen Prien]

On 5 December 1944 Walter Matoni, then GrKdr. of I./JG2, was severely injured in a crash. Few and contradictory Details of this incident are known to me - it is described sometimes as crash on take-off or a crash-landing, sometimes just as a crash. I can find no details of the location of the crash, its true cause, of the a/c he flew on that day or any other facts.

So if anybody can enlighten me I would be very grateful.

KR

Jochen Prien

[lilsis]

hello,

that we have here about him at 06.12.1944 FW190 A-8, Unfall beim Start Einsatzhafen Merzhausen, Krankenrevier I/JG2

regards

[RT]

Given on 6.th also, Merzhausen FP, Abst. b. Start wegen Motorschaden

Rémi

[Jochen Prien]

Thank you for your input.According to the Summary Loss Returns of GQM I./JG 2 reported no loss on 6 December but several - without enemy action - on the 5th. So where does the date 6 December come from ?

KR

Jochen Prien

[Kaczmarek]

Originally Posted by Jochen Prien

. . . but several - without enemy action - on the 5th.

This is in fact a little confusing. On 5th Fhj.Uffz. Bourguignon 1./J.G. 2 bailed out after combat with 16 Lightnings. He was woundet (Kr. Rev. Hangelar).

Kaczmarek

[Peglar]

Matoni - 6. December 1944 - Merzhausen - his last Flight too. I have a Photo of his crashed A 8 in the Dirt. Greetings Peglar

[Jochen Prien]

Dear Kaczmarek and Peglar,

thank you for your responses. Kaczmarek - where does your infomation concerning the loss of Bourguignon come from ? Peglar - would you be so kind to let me have a scan of the photo you mentioned for publication im JFV 13/IV ? If so, please send me an e-mail to my private address jochen@kjprien.de.

We still have the mystery around the date - 5th or 6th ? It may be worth noting that Walter Matoni did not sign the loss returns of 5 December 1944; these was signed by a Hauptmann as GrKdr. i.V., which makes it seem very likely that Walter Matoni was in fact injured on that very day.

KR

Jochen Prien

[John Manrho]

Info on Bourguignon is also on loss return (NVM).

[Kaczmarek]

Originally Posted by Jochen Prien

. . . It may be worth noting that Walter Matoni did not sign the loss returns of 5 December 1944; these was signed by a Hauptmann as GrKdr. i.V., which makes it seem very likely that Walter Matoni was in fact injured on that very day.

This should be Hptm. Kurt Hoffmann in his function as Gr. Kdr. i.V. at this time.

Kaczmarek