Information concerning the loss of Feldwebel Alfons Wittenbauer - killed 23.12.42

[rickback4444]

Hi,

Can anyone provide information on the loss of Feldwebel Alfons Wittenbauer who was killed in the East on the 23rd DEcember 1942?

Thank you

Rick

[Rottler]

Hello Rick,

GQM loss return 9 Jan 1943, item 150:
23.12.42 K.Gr.z.b.V. 500 kein Feindflug, Ort: Ssalsk, Ursache: unfreiwillige Bodenberührung, Aufschlagbrand, Ju 52 WNr. 7642 100%.
F Oblt Wilhelm Schräder +
F Lt Claus Guderian +
Bf Fw Alfons Wittenbauer +
Bm Uffz Heinz Hegenwald +
Bm Uffz Heinrich Now +.

Regards
Leo

[rickback4444]

Hi Leo,

Thank you for this information.

Was this near the Stalingrad salient?

Rick

[Rottler]

Hello Rick,

according to "Luftwaffe Airfields 1935-45" (deZeng) Ssalsk was a field airstrip 165 km ESE of Rostov. On 24 Dec 1942 it became the new Ju 52 hub for the Stalingrad airlift after Tatsinskaya was taken by the Russians.

Regards
Leo

[rickback4444]

Thanks Leo - very interesting

Rick