Villacoublay, France - 1943

[brianx13]

I am looking for any information or reports relating to the USAAF raid on Villacoublay, France on June 26, 1943. It was carried out by the 384th BG - 544th BS. Five B17's were shot down that day and I would like to find the German records relating to it. Any information would be much appreciated.

[Adam]

Mission Number 68: 165 B-17's are dispatched against the Vilacoublay, France air depot; 12 hit the target while 6 hit the secondary target, Poissy Airfield, and 39 bomb Tricqueville Airfield; they claim 17-5-10 Luftwaffe aircraft; 5 B-17's are lost and 14 others are damaged; casualties are 1 KIA, 3 WIA and 51 MIA. 5 YB-40 escort bombers take off to accompany heavy bombers but none are able to complete the attack.

According to Tony Wood's claim lists, claims for the day (for B-17s) included:

1) Ofw. Willi Stratmann (12./JG 2) POS: 0155 / 05 Ost: 6.000 m. at 1805hrs
2) Fw. Martin Brendel (1./JG 2) POS: 15 km. E. Lisieux: 6.000 m. at 1810hrs
3) Ltn. Fritz Karch (6./JG 2) POS:Flugplatz St. Gâtien: 7.000 m. [Deauville] at 1830hrs
4) Ofw. Immerl (2./JG 105) POS CE 4: 2.000 m. [Etampes] at 1844hrs
5) Ofw. Kurt Goltzsch (5./JG 2) POS: E of Dieppe: 6.500 m. at 1901hrs
6) Ltn. Karl Wünsch: of 3./JG 27 also made a supplementary claim for a B-17 but no details are available


Sorry I can't help with any German losses on the day

[brianx13]

Thank you very much, Adam. Could you possibly explain all the abbreviations for me?

[Adam]

No probs.

Ofw = Oberfeldwebel = Master Sgt
Fw = Feldwebel = Technical Sgt
Ltn = Leutnant = 2nd Leuitenant

the units are noted (ie 3./JG 27):
3 = Staffel = squadron
JG = Jagdgeschwader = Fighter Wing (in this case 27)

POS = position

0155/05 Ost is a German position (though I don't know where, sorry)

Hope that helps

Adam

[brianx13]

Much appreciated - helps me 100%.