Oblt Georg Claus

[ClausL]

Hi,

I know this pilot flew with JG 53 (1 Staffel and Stab/III) and with Stab/JG 51. His flying career ended when he was shot down over England on 11/11/1940 and was taken POW (although I read in at least 1 publication that he was killed).

Does anyone of you has more info on this pilot

Thks

Luc Claus

[Peter Cornwell]

CLAUS, the Staffelkapitan of 1./JG51, went missing in action with RAF fighters during a complicated combat over the Thames Estuary during an escort sortie for Ju87s of StG1 on 11 November 1940 while flying Bf109F-1 (5635). Despite what has been published to the contrary, he was not taken prisoner, & there is no mention of him in relevant RAF Intelligence sources.

[Brian Bines]

Just a note on this I seem to remember reading that Claus and Werner Molders were best friends. On this day Molders was not flying due to having the flu, however he heard a radio call that Claus was down in the Thames Estuary , and despite his flu he took off with his wingman to search for his friend. Could someone confirm whether this is correct , the story came from a compilation book published in the 60's

Regards
Brian

[Christer Bergström]

Originally Posted by Brian Bines

Just a note on this I seem to remember reading that Claus and Werner Molders were best friends. On this day Molders was not flying due to having the flu, however he heard a radio call that Claus was down in the Thames Estuary , and despite his flu he took off with his wingman to search for his friend. Could someone confirm whether this is correct , the story came from a compilation book published in the 60's

Regards
Brian

The original source to this is Fritz von Forell's wartime biography on Mölders.

I would like to add: Did Mölders really have a flu? The question is important, as you will see in my forthcoming book on the Battle of Britain. (See link below.)

[Brian Bines]

Thanks Christer look foward to your book.

[ClausL]

Brian, Christer,

I just bought 'Jagdflieger Oberst Werner Mölders" from Ernst Obermaier/Werner Held.

They state that Mölders after 29/10/1940 (54th kill) catched the flu and that he was grounded for several weeks.
They state also that Georg Claus was the former wingman of Mölders(Rottenflieger) for more than 60 missions. When Claus was shot down Mölders took off and search for his friend until he had to return due to fuel shortage.

In the bibliographie reference is made to the work of Fritz von Forell

When you look at Tony Woods' claim lists you see that at several occassions Mölders and Claus made claims at approx the same time/place

Rgds

Luc

[Chris Goss]

According to Moelders' logbook, he did not fly operationally between 30 Oct 40 until 11 Nov 40, then taking off from Pihen at 1400 and landing at 1510 hrs which would match with the loss of Claus around lunchtime. Claus was Moelders' TO in III/JG 53