Attack on Skadowsk a/f on November 27th, 1943

[Jochen Prien]

Gentlemen,

on November 27th, 1943, a German air attack was directed against Soviet airfields at Skadowsk in the Cherson oblast on the Black Sea coast; according to German records 23 a/c took place in this attack, claiming the destruction or at least damage of 20 bombers and 15 fighters on the ground.

I would like to know which German units were involved in this action and what the actual results were. I have some bits of information that parts of II./JG 52 had to fly escort for Ju 87s in the Perekop area, taking off drdrom Bagerowo and using Karankut a/f as a stop over; however so far I have no tangible proof that these missions were one and the same ( and I have some qualms if bomb laden Stukas would have had the neccessary range for this attack ). However - as usual I would be grateful for any information.

Regards

Jochen Prien

[Andrey Kuznetsov]

Hello Jochen,

No air raids against Skadowsk on 27.Nov.43
According to operative records of VVS ChF (Air Force Black Sea Fleet) it was 28.Nov.1943 07:25-07:35 MSC (05:25-05:35 German Time). Air raid was fully unsuccessful - no victims or material damages on the ground. Many bombs didn't exploded at all.
From Soviet data, 18 He111/Ju88 took part, nothing about Bf109. 11 Aircobras from 11.GIAP took off and claimed 3 Ju88 and 1 He111. 1 Aircobra damaged by air gunners and belly landed, pilot was slightly wounded.

From German data:
According to KTB Adm.Black Sea, 28.Nov.43 23 a/c bombed Skadowsk with "good results". The raid was due to Adm.Black Sea request.

According to KTB I./KG55, Skadowsk was one of its 3 targets on 28.Nov.43. 2 He111 were damaged by AA fire and 2 He111 were damaged in air combat (maybe all or some of them in Skadowsk area).

According to GQM list, I./KG4's 2 He111 were damaged in air combat (50% and 30%) - one of them in Skadowsk area and one in Saki area (probably the place of force landing; for some reasons, it almost certain was damaged in Skadowsk raid too).

Probably some gentlemen knows more details about that losses.

So, it is clear that air raid was on 28.Nov.43. It seems only I./KG4 and I./KG55 took part without any fighter cover.

Best regards,
Andrey

[yogybär]

Originally Posted by Andrey Kuznetsov

According to GQM list, I./KG4's 2 He111 were damaged in air combat (50% and 30%) - one of them in Skadowsk area and one in Saki area (probably the place of force landing; for some reasons, it almost certain was damaged in Skadowsk raid too).

Two men from I./KG4 were wounded that day.

Concerning II./SG2: Andrey, thanks. Do you know if the Hs123 really were used until May '44? I can only imagine Anti-Partisan-actions...

[Andrey Kuznetsov]

Hello yogybär,

Originally Posted by yogybär

Two men from I./KG4 were wounded that day.

Thank you!

Originally Posted by yogybär

Do you know if the Hs123 really were used until May '44? I can only imagine Anti-Partisan-actions...

Maybe for night nuisance raids, together with NSG6. But can't find any evidences so far. Maybe some losses mentioned in NVM?

Best regards,
Andrey

[yogybär]

III./SG3 (Ju87) was based in Karankut then. K. is ca. "airline" 120km away from Swadowsk, no problem for a Ju87D.

II./SG2 was also on the Crimea, but they Fw190 and maybe even Hs123.

I./KG4 also did some supports for Crimean battles, at least in April '44. That cound also be a direction to search.

[Jochen Prien]

Dear Andrey, dear Yogibär,

many thanks for your quick and helpful response. Andrey - do you have any information on Ju 87 attacks in the Perekop area on the 27th for which II./JG 52 flew cover ?

Regards

Jochen Prien

[Andrey Kuznetsov]

Originally Posted by Jochen Prien

any information on Ju 87 attacks in the Perekop area on the 27th for which II./JG 52 flew cover ?

27.Nov.43 German-Rumanian forces made an attempt to destroy Siwash bridgeheads (to east from Perekop). 2-Mot.bombers and Stukas supported that action.

Rumanian Grupul 3 Pikaj made 9+12+12+10+10 Ju87 sorties, each group with 4 Bf109. No doubts III./SG3 also took part, but I have no exact numbers.

I./KG55 also took part according to it's KTB, and maybe III./KG55 and I./KG4.

To yogybär:
II./SG2 appeared in Crimea in the end of Jan.44 only, info in www.ww2.dk incorrect.

Best regards,
Andrey

[Matti Salonen]

1944-04-16, 4./SG 2, Hs 123, 823, B1, 1 km von Cucuteni, nördlich Targul-Frumos, Absturz und Aufschlagbrand infolge Flakvolltreffer. Bruch 100 %.
Flugzeugführer Lt Frhr. von Gall, Eckart, +
1944-12-05, Stab II/SG 2, Hs 123B-1, 2738, 4 weiße, 3 km westlich Marczali, Notlandung infolge Flakbeschuß. Bruch 100 %.
Flugzeugführer Lt Flend, Herbert, +

Matti

[Andrey Kuznetsov]

Hello Matti,

Originally Posted by Matti Salonen

1944-04-16, 4./SG 2, Hs 123, 823, B1, 1 km von Cucuteni, nördlich Targul-Frumos, Absturz und Aufschlagbrand infolge Flakvolltreffer. Bruch 100 %.
Flugzeugführer Lt Frhr. von Gall, Eckart, +
1944-12-05, Stab II/SG 2, Hs 123B-1, 2738, 4 weiße, 3 km westlich Marczali, Notlandung infolge Flakbeschuß. Bruch 100 %.
Flugzeugführer Lt Flend, Herbert, +

Thank you. These losses were after withdrawn from Crimea. So activity of SG2's Hs123 on peninsula remains unknown.

Best regards,
Andrey

[Laurent Rizzotti]

The link http://www.ww2.dk/oob/bestand/schlacht/biisg2.html confirms that II./SG 2 received a bunch of Hs 123 in October 1943, almost enough for a Staffel (or enough for an understrength Staffel) and kept them until May 1944. There were two losses due to the enemy, one in December 1943 and one in April 1944.

It then again received four Hs 123 in November 1944 and one was lost in operations in December.

So Matti gave the two lattest losses, but the one in December 1943 might have been in Crimea.

Best regards