Ju 88s losses 29 or 30 October 1943

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Hello,

In Gen.Qu.6.Abt. loss list of 6 November 1943, the entry 74 is for the Ju 88 A-4 Wnr 300142 (4U+GK) of 2.(F)/123 that was lost (100%) south of Rhodes for an unknown reason. The four crew (Lt Walter Plattner, Fw Erich Dedlow, Uffz Walter Jacobi, Uffz Fritz Schmitt) are MIA. The loss date was the 29 October 1943.

In the book "Fighters over the Aegean", Brian Cull identifies a JU 88 shot down by 227 Sqn in the morning as this aircraft, so one day later. Has someone any other source confirming the date of 30 for the loss ? I found none of the crew in the Volksbund or in death cards on fold3.

Another question for the same day (30 October 1943) six French Spitfires of GC 2/7 met west of Ajaccio a Ju 88 and claimed it shot down. The German pilot reportedly ditched the damaged aircraft but it sank very fast without survivors. The claim is in MAW4, but the German loss is not identified. Any idea ?

[Jim P.]

I have the 29th for your first loss as well.

Could this be the second?

Ju 88D-1, 1711, Bethmann, Ofw. Hermann, , , 3.(F), 122, , 8H+NH, , , 30-Oct-43, MIA with crew, cause unknown. Aircraft from 1.(F)/33., , Lfl.3/Eins.Süd, Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #12)-Vol.23, Medcalf, Ort unbekannt, 100%, F, B Fw. Karl-Heinz Sommer, Bf Ofw. Walter Bätz & Bs Uffz. Willi Depner, , Junkers Flzg.Werke Bernburg in Dec-41

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Thanks Jim,

I will check the ORB of 227 Sqn to see if the Ju 88 claimed in the morning of 30th was a "sure kill" or not, but seems everybody except Brian Cull's book put the loss on the day before.

As for the other Ju 88 claimed by GC 2/7 off Corsica you 3.(F)/122/1.(F)/33 loss could be the one. Missing with whole crew fits with what French pilots report and both units were in S France and could fly in Corsica area.

They are not liste in MAW4, nor in the (F)/122 history available online:https://www.luftwaffedata.co.uk/wiki...._122_Oct_1943

[Jim P.]

Certainly having the crew from one unit and the aircraft from another could lead to confusion in the reporting.