identification of a FW190 lost 28 February 1943

[Frédéric Bruyelle]

Hi all,

on February 28, 1943, at the end of the afternoon, the aerodrome of Maupertus (Cotentin Peninsula) was attacked by Whirlwinds. During this sortie a Fw 190 was shot down and crashed into the sea.
From research I have undertaken it appears not to be a JG 2 fighter.

- what could be the unit of this FW190 and the identity of its german pilot ?


thanks by advance....

[Chris Goss]

All I can see is 130 Sqn claimed a Fw 190 off Barfleur 1635hrs-this was shot down trying to shoot down a 263 Sqn Whirlwind which was dive-bombing Maupertus. I can see no corresponding German losses

[Frédéric Bruyelle]

Thanks Chris for your input.
it is indeed the 130 squadron. and I too cannot find any correspondence in the documents I have on the LW. this destruction must however be credible since it is commented on in the ORBs of the 602 and 263 squadrons, present during this mission.
the mystery remains intact. I still cannot identify which German unit opposed this dive bombing mission....????
Fred

[gilles collaveri]

bonjour Frédéric

are you sure of the date ? (28 Feb)

if it was on 27 Feb, we would have two candidates from JG26.

May be worth checking the date and its source.

GC

[Frédéric Bruyelle]

Hi Gilles
yes the date is quite certain (February 28, 1943). this destruction is also commented on in the books of John Foreman (Fighter command war diaries and Fighter command victory claims). as well as in the ORBs of 130/602 and 263 sqd. no hesitation then...
thanks for your help.
Fred

[Chris Goss]

JG 26 would have been further east. 130 Sqn F540 mentions the claim but no sign of the combat report on line-maybe in Appendices?

[Rottler]

Hello Frédéric,

according to Jagdfliegerverbände Vol. 10/IV page 55 on 28 Feb 1943 the Whirlwinds encountered Fw 190 of the III./JG 2. One Fw 190 is said to have been shot down, but in German documents no proof can be found.

Regards
Leo

[Frédéric Bruyelle]

Hi Léo,
it is an excellent track that the one proposed by Jochen Prien. Undoubtedly the answer is it in this direction. I only see JG 2 to intervene on the Maupertus site at this time. but unfortunately, we are not making any progress on the identity of the pilot and his plane.

Chris,
I have already searched well if the 130 sqd had appendices in its ORB, but I did not find any. Did I do it wrong?
what is very surprising is that Eric Mombeek in his book on JG 2 in 1943 makes no allusion to this engagement, nor to the bombardment of Maupertus. he must have a reason, because his works are very well documented.

we have no answer....

thank you for your active participation

Fred

[Frédéric Bruyelle]

ombre time ...

it occurs to me an idea, one of us would have there "Deutsche Luftwaffe Losses & Claims" of Michael Bass. The answer may be in there ?

frédéric

[SteveR]

I checked Balss' book. No losses for JG 2, only 1 Fw 190 loss in France but it doesn't seem a match:

Jagdlehr.Überpr.Gr. H (non-op flight) Frankreich
Take off
Near Avaray, 35 km southwest of Orleans
Forced landing due engine fire
Fw 190A-2 WNr. 5391 Markings 1+ 100%
P Uffz. Wilhelm Klein KIA (P: JG 105)

That all there is for Fw 190s in France 28 Feb. 1943.