NJG 3 loss on 17 June 1944

[Laurent Rizzotti]

According to Mr Balss book on NJG personnel losses, the Bf 110 G-4 WNr 720392 D5+MT of 9./NJG 3 crashed at 0300 hrs on 17 June 1944 due to an engine fire during an operational sortie. The pilot, Uffz Karl Schleich, was killed, while both other crew bailed out and were unhurt. The crashplace is given as "15 km W Ochta, near Rheine".

Problem is that I can't find a place called Ochta in the area, and 15 km west of Rheine is in Netherlands, and this crash is not listed in the Netherland crash lists.

There is a place called Ochtrup WSW of Rheine, and I wonder if the crash did not take place around this place, and the above location is either a typo or coming from a badly readable source.

Given the density of villages in this area, I guess that 1.5 km W from (location name) will be more often used in loss reports than 15 km W, too.

If someone has access to an original loss document, I will be interested to know which location is written there.

Thanks in advance

Laurent

[Melvin Brownless]

Hi Laurent,

The WASt NVM also states 15 km westl. Ochta b. Rheine, so not really helpful i'm afraid.

Regards,

Melvin

www.aircrewremembrancesociety.co.uk

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Thanks Melvin

So another question: could Otcha be a nightfighter beacon, or another coded location ?