Bf109s shot down over/off Crete 1944?

[Brian]

Hi guys

I believe III/JG27 operated from Rhodes late 1943, but returned to Crete early 1944? Did IV/JG27 remain at Rhodes?

On 10 April 1944, I note that two Bf109s III/JG27 (Heckmann & Reckamsier) FTR from Crete, possibly collided in air? Any confirmation?

On 31 May 1944, I note that a Bf109 of III/JG27 was shot down. Who?

I understand that III/JG27 was recalled to Germany circa June 1944, and some pilots transferred to 5/JG51 which had arrived at Crete from ? and when?

On 8 July 1944 two Bf109s (5/JG51?) were claimed shot down by Spitfires of 94 Squadron off Crete. Confirmation?

On 10 August 1944, another Bf109 was claimed by 94 Squadron off Crete.
Details?

Any information would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Brian

[Matti Salonen]

Maybe this:
1944-05-31, 13./JG 27, Bf 109G-6, 20216, 11 weiße, Südlich Fl.Pl. Kastelli, Luftkampf. Bruch 50 %.
Flugzeugführer Uffz Plachy, Josef, verletzt

Matti

[byron-]

Hi Brian,

about 5./J.G. 51

31.05-26.06.44, in Ellinikon; 28.06-04.07.44, in Kastelli / Kreta; 06.07-31.07.44, in Gadura/Rhodos und Maleme; dabei war auch ein Kdo. unter Ltn. Götz Bergmann, (+) 20.07.44 auf Rhodos (abgest.);
ein kleiner Teil saß 10.06.44-24.06.44 in Skutari-Albanien;

Staffel 28.08.44 nach Nisch verlegt.
17.09.44 zwei Maschinen in Kalamaki


I have: FF. Uffz. Theo Heckmann and Gfr. Fritz-Dieter Reckmeier,

both injured at 19.04.44, don`t know how



Matti,

are you sure about a Staffel 13 in Greece?

regards
Byron

[Matti Salonen]

According to Prien etc. the "Reststaffel", which stayed, when 13./JG 27 moved to Germany and later to France, was also identified as 13./JG 27. NVM of Plachy's loss was sent by III/JG 27, but his unit was in this document identified as 13./JG 27.

Matti

[Brian]

Many thanks for the information, Matti

I wonder who the 5./JG51 pilots were shot down on 8 July and 10 August, assuming they did fall victim to Spitfires of 94 Squadron?

Cheers
Brian

[Bruce Lander]

Hi Brian,

31 May 1944.... Uffz. Josef Plachy 13/JG27 WIA Mittelmeeraum (from JG27 history by Held)

Cheers

Bruce Lander

[Jim P.]

The few losses I have for II./JG 51 during Jul/Aug-44 were all lost over Yugoslavia and Bulgaria. I have no 109 losses from any JG for the Crete area during this time frame. Could they have been from a recon unit?