Uffz. Max Stotz I./JG 76 on 7.11.1939

[Marius]

Hello all, does anybody know at what time and what aircraft was shot down by Uffz. Stotz on 7.November 1939?
A Potez 63 was claimed at Voelklingen. But maybe it was a RAF Blenheim or whatever else? According to documents the crew was taken prisoner.

According to C.Shores it was a day earlier...

Best regards,

[Nick Hector]

Hi Marius, I have this one listed as 6.11.39
And the following info

Another claim for L1145/DX- of 57 sqn? P/O Alexander Donald Morton, Sgt. G Storr and AC1 F A Twinning all KIA (Generally attributed to Rott)

The Battle of France Then and Now were a big influence on that entry in my database. Perhaps the author, a significant forum contributor, might care to enter the discussion?

[Chris Goss]

Jochen Prien says 7 November 1939 and no time. Peter makes no mention of Stotz and that the French losses on 7 Nov 39 were thanks to JG 53 with Wilcke claiming a GR II/22 Potez 63 over Völkingen at 1405 hrs......

[Peter Cornwell]

A time for the claim filed by Uffz Max STOTZ of 3./JG76 on 7 November 1939 would be useful in helping to determine events. But, unfortunately, we do not have it which is largely why I was unable to positively resolve his claim when researching BoFrT&N. Certainly, GR I/33 lost two Potez 637s to Bf109s west of Saarbrucken between 15.05 - 16.14 hours (CET) that afternoon no less than five claims being filed by pilots of 7. and 9./JG53. A further French Potez 63 of GR II/22 was also badly damaged by Bf109s in the same general area and may also have been involved but, again, without a specific time for this incident one cannot be totally certain. As his claim is in the same locality, it is equally possible that STOTZ may also have been involved ?

[Marius]

I mean it is very interesting that the crew of the Potez shot down at Voelklingen was taken prisoner (uninjured). Maybe a hole in French sources?

[robert]

Hi,

there were following encounters between Bf109s and Potez 63s on this day:
Potez 637 no.24 of GRI/33 with crew of Ltt. Comberias had taken off at 15.00 hrs to fly photo-reconnaissance in the area of Lahn. After taking of 64 pcitures the aircraft was attacked by 3 Bf109s and forced to abandon early the mission.
At 15.45 hrs three Potez 637s of GRI/33 had taken off to fly reconnaissance mission for the 4th Army. Despite fighter cover, which was provided by Ms 406s of GCI/3 and GCIII/3 all French recon aircraft met German fighter resistance.
Potez 637 no.22 with crew of Ltt. Laurent met German fighters in the area of Boulay but managed to evade.
Potez 637 no.18 was attacked by German fighters in the area of Boulay and crashed in flames S of Metz.
Potez 637 no.26 was also attacked by German fighters in the area of Boulay. The a/c was damaged and must be force-landed. Gunner was killed, pilot wounded and observer bailed out on an altitude of only 50 m.

Regards

Robert

[Johannes]

Hi Guys

Found no actual evidence that this claim is correct/Stotz made one this day. Certainly Stotz didn't get confirmation, whereas all his other claims appear on the micro films!

Johannes