|
continued …
On 13 September I./JG 4, responding to a request from higher authority, reported that it had lost four pilots killed, three missing and one wounded; five ground personnel were missing and four wunded. Material losses were three Bf 109s over enemy territory, four on the ground and five which could not be flown out “destroyed by ourselves”. It is not clear what period this return covered: the 12 reported losses are fewer than those detailed above. The following Bf 109s had been allocated from “other units (ERLA Works Antwerp)”:
W.Nr. 16561, 18838, 20477, 110502, 165865, 165869, 460388, 460558 and 461438.
The Gruppe sent a report on the 15th of the victory totals accredited to its pilots:
|
Hptm. Steinmann
|
20
|
|
|
Ofhr. Malsch
|
12
|
|
|
Uffz. Franek
|
1
|
|
|
Obltn. Messer
|
2
|
|
|
Obltn. Schopper
|
12
|
|
|
Ofhr. Fenselau
|
1
|
|
|
Ofhr. Wandeloo
|
1
|
|
|
Obltn. Hart
|
?
|
[number omitted]
|
|
Uffz. Stoll
|
4
|
|
On 19 September, I./JG 4 took part in a mission by “the two Gruppen” against Allied fighter bombers and to support German troops “in the BO 4 to BN 2”. In addition, on the outward and return flights protection was to be given to civiians working on the West Wall (the Siegfried Line to the Allies). Four aircraft were lost:
Date
|
Unit
|
Bf 109
|
W.Nr.
|
Marking
|
Place
|
% Damage
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19/9
|
3.
|
G-14
|
413686
|
yellow 6
|
?
|
?
|
|
|
Forced landing owing to fuel shortage (not observed by the enemy), to be salvaged by Flughafenberich Böblingen. Gefr. Kurt Lack severley injured, in Reserve Hospital Rastatt.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.
|
G-14
|
413712
|
yellow 7
|
Hagenau airfield, Germany
|
35
|
|
|
Belly landing (not observed by enemy), to be salvaged by Flughafenberich Böblingen, 35% damaged, replacement required. No casualties.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.
|
G-14
|
413683
|
yellow 8
|
Oberhofen near Hagenau, Germany
|
98
|
|
|
Hit by Flak north of Nancy, engine trouble on return flight and dense fumes in cockpit; caught fire on crashing (not observed by enemy), to be salvaged by Flughafenberich Böblingen, replacement required. Pilot bailed out, no casualties.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.
|
G-14
|
413774
|
blue 9
|
?
|
?
|
|
|
Uffz. Horst Zwingmann missing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Two successes were reported that day:
19/9
|
Stab
|
Uffz. Franek, one Thunderbolt effectively shot up, altitude 1200 m, East of Lunéville at 10.30.
|
|
Stab
|
Ofhr. Malsch: one Thunderbolt effectively shot up, altitude 1200 m, East of Lunéville [timemissing].
|
A report was sent on 27 September that I./JG 4 was again in the process of transfer, apparently to the Götzenhain area. The Gruppe reported further losses on 28 September 1944 and part of its message was intercepted:
Date
|
Unit
|
Bf 109
|
W.Nr.
|
Marking
|
Place
|
% Damage
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26/9
|
1.
|
G-14
|
413658
|
white 6
|
Langen airfield, Germany
|
15
|
|
|
Crash landing after transit flight, attributed to pilot error, not observed by enemy, replacement not necessary, no casualties.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27/9
|
4.
|
G-14
|
780312
|
blue 6
|
Langen airfield, Germany
|
15
|
|
|
Engagement of fighter bomber and artillery spotters, nosed over on landing, not observed by the enemy. Handed over to the industry for repair, replacement necessary, no casualties
|
|
|
