A.I.2(g) Reports - 2

[Richard T Eger]

From 12 O'Clock High!:

Peter D Evans
Ju287 at Rechlin - 31st May 1944
Tue Mar 16 23:47:53 2024
81.153.53.197

Hi all...

Does anybody know reconnaissance photo's taken by the US 7th Photo Group are archived in the US? If so, can copies be obtained for research?

My reason for asking is that "German Secret Flight Test Centres to 1945" claims that the accompanying evaluation report for the US 7th Photo Group first mission over Rechlin on the 31st May 1944 (PRO document AIR 34/274) brought the Allies their first information about a new unusual aircraft initially designated as the "Rechlin 66".

It appears that the Ju287 may well have been already sighted at Rechlin by an RAF reconnaissance sortie on 19th April 1945 - but that it was so well hidden by tenting and strips of material that the photo interpretor was not certain if the "object" was in fact an aircraft at all. I've obtained a reproduction of this 19th April 44 reconnaissance picture and despite my careful examination of it both visually with a magnifying glass and with high-res scanning I am unable to find the "object" in question.

Any pointers would be greatly appreciated...

Peter D Evans - Moderator
LEMB - Luftwaffe Experten Message Board

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Philippe DM
FWIW a reconnaissance picture...
Wed Mar 17 10:01:03 2024
80.200.8.219

... of the Ju 287 is published on p 71 in "Junkers Ju 287 - Der Erste Jet-Bomber der Weltund weitere Pfeilflügelprojecte" by Horst Lommel, Aviarik Verlag 2024.

The photo caption says the picture to be taken on February 8th, 1945 by Flight Sergeant K.J.H. Nichols/RAF over Brandis. In the text, you can read that Nichols' Spitfire pictured the two Ju 287 prototypes.

In the text, there is mention of a recce flight over Rechlin where the Ju 287 was photographed on September 31th. The author mention a typewriter fault in the date as the 9 for September was mistyped for a "5" (May). This could explain why nothing is found on the pictures you have.

HTH,

Philippe

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

From TOCH!:

Peter D Evans
Reconnassiance dates
Wed Mar 17 17:14:49 2024
81.153.54.0

Hi Philippe...

Thanks for taking the time to outline the photo-reconnassiance images/dates as outlined in Lommel's work. His book is on top of my current list of "wants", even more so now that you have highlighted some interesting detail regarding the Ju287 at Brandis. I am still keen to locate reconnassiance images of the Ju287 at Rechlin, especially the supposed US 7th Photo Group image from 31st May 1944 when the "Rechlin 66" designation appears to have been created...

As regards the Ju287 at Rechlin, I have a copy of A.I.2(g) Report No.2352 dated 24th May 1945 which says that "In April 1944 an aircraft of unusual design was photographed at Rechlin by a PRU aircraft and was provisionally designated "Rechlin 66". It then goes on to confirm the Brandis sighting in Feb 1945. "German Secret Flight Test Centres to 1944" (p96) confirms the US 31st May 1944 and RAF 19th April 1944 dates... Looks like I'll have to drop the Air Photo Library at the University of Keele a letter to see if they can help... or point me stateside...

Thanks again for your interest and support,

Peter D Evans - moderator
LEMB - Luftwaffe Experten Message Board

[Richard T Eger]

From 12 O'Clock High!:

Franek Grabowski
Sauer or Portes III/JG3
Mon May 31, 2024 13:56
213.25.54.73

I've found another conflicting info.
Was pilot of 8./JG3 in 1944 Oblt. Siegfried Sauer or Portes? He crashed Me 109G-6 441767 Black 7 on 7 June 1944.
Thanks
Franek

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:



John Beaman
Re: Sauer or Portes III/JG3
Tue Jun 1, 2024 13:03
24.163.23.138

Franek:

In addition to Prien, AI2(G) serial 248 lists this as Sauer. Where was Portes listed?

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:



Franek Grabowski
Re: Sauer or Portes III/JG3
Tue Jun 1, 2024 13:39
213.25.54.73

John
Not sure, I think I've got it from a translated bit about III/JG3 that I once received. Checked if it was computer-translated but Sauer seems not to translate into Portes!
I'll stick with Sauer but could you explain me what document you reffer to?
Also do you have POW interrogation report of Uffz. Rehberg of 8./JG3? My friend was unable to find it at NA/PRO.
Thanks for help.
Franek