3(F)/33 Aircombat losses 1944 ?

[David Pausey]

I have a note on a interregation report for a W/T operator from 3(F)/33 WHO DESERTED TO THE Allies in mid Sep 44.

” P/W insists that the following incident actually occurred. One day at the beginning of Aug 44,Ofw KAEHN was attacked at 19:30 hrs by Spitfires east of Malta.One engine of his aircraft was put out of action,the other damaged.Upon his firing a red very light the attackers withdrew and he was able to limp back to the Greek coast”.

Luftwaffe im Focus no8 has a photo of a Ju188F-1 8H+EL on page 17, flown by a Lt KAHN which was damaged by Spitfires on the 22-7-44 is this the same a/c as the above report ?

Has anyone got more details on this ?

Looking for any info on a Ju188D-2 of 3(F)/33 crashed near KYMI, Eastern Euboea,Greace 11-10-44 shot down by Fighter ?

Regards
David

[Nick Beale]

Ju 188 D-2, 8H+EL took off from Sedes in Salonika at 10.45 and crashed near Kymi at 13.00 hrs on 22 October 1944. One engine had been giving trouble, they turned back but it blew up and the bailed out. Two men survived.

Pilot Uffz. Gerhard Eckert (PoW)
Observer Gefr. Wolfart Krecker (KIA)
W/Op. Uffz. Gottfried Ritter (PoW)
A/G Gefr. Otto Schwager (KIA) [Query spelling of name]
A/G Uffz. Günther Ziebek (KIA) [Query spelling of name]

Two men died in the wreck and one of the gunners' parachute failed.
The prisoners apparently heard over the radio that a Beaufighter was credited with shooting them down but they had seen no hostile aircraft.

[David Pausey]

Thanks for the info but I am puzzled you have Ju88D-2 8H+EL as crashing on the 22-10-44 does that refer to the Ju188D-2 of 3(F)/33 crashed near KYMI, Eastern Euboea,Greace 11-10-44 ?

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by David Pausey

Thanks for the info but I am puzzled you have Ju88D-2 8H+EL as crashing on the 22-10-44 does that refer to the Ju188D-2 of 3(F)/33 crashed near KYMI, Eastern Euboea,Greace 11-10-44 ?

The information is from CSDIC report CMF A.490 (TNA AIR40/3114): the location and markings are as you say, but the date is given as the 22nd both in the heading and within the body of the report. I don't have anything about any prisoners from a crash on the 11th.

[David Pausey]

Many thanks for clearing that one up
Regards
David

[Brian Bines]

David,

Aufklarer 1942-45 by David Wadman Page 72 says on 22nd July 1944 the Ju188F-1 of Ltn Kasper Kahn(umlaut over 'a' of Kahn) 8H+EL was attacked by two Spifires. Aircraft eventualy ditched by Kefalonia (photo on page), and Kahn and his crew of Uffzs. Gruber,Walter and Fisher were stuck on the island for two weeks before returning to Kalamaki, would this be your incident,

Regards

Brian Bines

[David Pausey]

thanks Brian
If the correct date is the 22-7-44 and I am sure that the interregation report for a W/T operator from 3(F)/33 relates to the Luftwaffe im Focus no8 photo and the one in Aufklarer 1942-45 by David Wadman if that make sense, then it all seems to fit with 185 Sqn claim for a Ju188 destroyed 90m off Malta on the 22-7-44. The rear gunner managed to shoot down one Spitfire and damage the other one, unless someone knows better ?
Cheers
David

[Bruce Lander]

Hi,

22 July 1944: P/O. Ballantine + Lt. Rowe of 185 Sq. claimed a Ju.188 apprx 90 miles E of Malta.
Lt. Rowe shot down by return fire but rescued by HSL after a night at Sea none the worse for wear
( Source "185 The Malta Squadron" by A.Rogers)

Cheers

Bruce Lander