Books on the air war over North Africa and the Mediterranean

[Richard T Eger]

From 12 O'Clock High!:

V.Marsanic
Stuka geshwader
Sat Nov 24 19:36:51 2024


HY!
Does anybody have any kind of informations on stukageshwaders that had operated on NDH teritory 1941-1945.
Info like gruppen,pilots, a/c codes,locations,paint shemse anything in general.
Thanks!

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Ekdo.Schenck
Re: Stuka geshwader
Sun Nov 25 11:33:29 2024


StG 151, 13./StG 151 in particular and II/LLG1 which later gave up glider tugging for purely anti-partisan role and was redesignated NSGr 10. There is a very nice book published by Osprey Aviaton, Osprey Combat Aircraft series No6 written by John Weal, "Junkers Ju-87 in North Africa and the Mediterranean". There is information on pages 85-86 about StGs over former Yugoslavia after '43 and there are two photographs of Ju-87s from StG 151 presumably. As far as I know II/LLG1 had H4 as the unit code, but I am not sure about StG 151. One of those photographs shows a formation of JU-87s in classic splinter scheme, and only point of interest are (white?) formation numbers on rudders. I don't want tosound as advertising it, but I think you should get this book because in my opinion it represents a great value for money because it covers some less known areas of european battlefields where Luftwaffe vas involved in later stages of WWII.

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

V.Marsanic
Re: Stuka geshwader
Sun Nov 25 19:50:04 2024


Thanks!
I'll shall buy this book when I find it in book shop!
Ones again thanki for these info!

[Richard T Eger]

From 12 O'Clock High!:

Dave Bailey
Hauptmann Heinz Kroseberg of 1st Wustennotstaffel
Sat Feb 9 21:00:11 2024
206.47.240.79

I'm looking for information on Hauptmann Heinz Kroseberg of 1st Wustennotstaffel (Desert Rescue) and his aircraft. Kroseberg was lost May 12, 1942 after attempting to rescue downed crew from 9 Ju 52's shot down 70 km north of Derna, over the sea. In the process of the rescue he threw his own life preserver to a stuggling crewman. His Fieseler Fi 156 was likely then shot down. He was promoted Major and awarded the Knight's Cross posthumously on June 19, 1942. He was apparently known as 'The Father of the Storks' or 'Abu Markub'. I have two photos of him - from Kurowski's 'Knight's Cross Holders of the Afrika Korps and Held & Obermaier's The Luftwaffe in the North African Campaign 1941-1943. His biographical info is thin and I have not seen very much material on the markings of Storch aircraft that he or members of his staffel flew. Looking forward to hearing from members of this DG. Cheers, Dave Bailey

[Richard T Eger]

From 12 O'Clock High!:

Ragnar J. Ragnarsson
OA-10 Catlina shot down by Me 109s
Mon Feb 11 11:50:23 2024
212.30.194.33

On 21 August 1943 a USAAF OA-10 Catalina of the 12th Fighter Command Rescue Unit was shot down by a trio of Me 109s off the beaches of Salerno. were in the sea. It was last seen in flames plunging into the sea. Of six P-38 escorts one was downed, and one Me 109 was destroyed.

I'd welcome any information on this engagement, such as the Me 109 unit(s) involved, etc.

Ragnar

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

NickM
Catalina shot down on 21 August 1943
Tue Feb 12 01:44:49 2024
205.188.192.21

Ragnar:
I just happen to have 'Spitfires over Sicily' in my hands! A quick check shows: an OA-10 from 1st Emergency Rescue Squadron being shot down on August 23 1943, claimed by Oblt Franz Schiess of 8/JG53; it was his 61st victory. Nothing in this book shows a loss of a Catalina on August 21. Are you sure of the date? That is as close as I can get, unless my book is defective.

Hope it helps, anyways!

NickM

[Richard T Eger]

From further within this TOCH! thread:

Laurent
Oblt Franz Schiess 8/JG 53
Tue Feb 12 08:53:18 2024
213.44.14.95

Spitfires over Sicily (Brian Cull, with Nicola Malizia and Frederick Galea, ISBN1-902304-32-2), p 197:

'The American ASR unit, the 1st Emergency Rescue Squadron, lost one of its OA-10 on 23 AUgust when it fell victim to Oblt Franz Shiess of 8/JG53 for his 61st victory; survivors were later themselves rescued.'

Nothing more about P-38 or Me109 shot down but the book is mainly Spitfire oriented.

This unit loses another OA-10 strafed by a Macchi aircraft during the rescue of an Italian airman, date unclear, a gunner and the Italian were killed.

The list of MTO claims of Tony Wood ( www.ww2.dk, Tony Wood's files) gives two claims on this date:

23.08.43 Oblt. Franz Schiess RK 8./JG 53 Catalina  40 km. S. Insel Capri: 100 m. 11.30 Film C. 2024/II Anerk: Nr.-

23.08.43 Uffz. Reischel 8./JG 53 P-38  50 km. S. Insel Capri: 30 m. 11.44 Film C. 2024/II Anerk: Nr.90

I don't know the losses of JG53 on this date.

Best regards

Laurent

[This message has been edited by Richard T Eger (edited 16 March 2024).]

[Richard T Eger]

From within a thread on 12 O'Clock High!:

Jim P.
Chris Shores stuff
Tue Feb 19 13:37:18 2024
64.223.199.2

Fledgling Eagles, Malta 1941:The Hurricane Year, Malta 1942:The Spitfire Year, and The Air War for Yugoslavia, Greece & Crete. Also John Foreman's books on RAF/LW ops from Nov. 1940 to June 1941. After that you might want to pursue various unit histories by Prien (JG 1, 11, 27, 3, 77 & 53), Mombeek (JG 1-there was an English edition) and Balke (KG 2).

[Richard T Eger]

From 12 O'Clock High!:

laurent
Aces scores on 17/8/43
Wed Mar 6 18:40:35 2024
195.6.104.32

Hello

After reading books on aerial WWII for years, it strikes me that in any experienced unit, there will be a good proportion of ace pilots.

I mean in 1943, a typical German staffel will count between 2 and 4 aces in its rank. Counting the Kommandeur (that in most cases was an Expert), about 10 aces will be in the Gruppe. Bad new for any Allied rookie.

The same is true for RAF and USAAF, and the German rookie in 1944 has much less flying hours than his Allied counterpart. And when an Allied pilot will see enemy planes one time on twenty missions, the German will fight for his live very often.

I just try to prove my toughts by number and search info on a given date. I choose 17/8/43 because of the well-known battle and because of the MTO claim list of Tony Wood.

Here are my results.

________________________________________________

JG 26 (from Caldwell books)

Stab JG 26 : Obstlt. Josef Priller (Kommodore) 91

Stab I./JG 26 : Hptm. Karl Borris (Kommandeur) 28, Lt Heinrich Jessen 6
1./JG 26 : Ofw. Alfred Heckmann 57, Oblt. Arthur Beese (Staffelkapitän) 15, Ofw. Waldemar Söffing 10
2./JG 26 : Fw. Karl Willius 34, Hptm. Wilhelm Gäth (Staffelkapitän) 9
3./JG 26 : Hptm. Rolf Hermichen (Staffelkapitän) 35, Fw. Eric Scheyda 13, Fw.Peter Ahrens 6
8./JG 26 : Hptm. Kurt Ebersberger (Staffelkapitän) 29, Ofw. Hans Heitmann 8

Stab II./JG 26 : Maj. Wilhelm-Ferdinand Galland (Kommandeur) 54
4./JG 26 : Ofw. Adolf Glunz 39, Ofw. Willi Roth 19, Lt. Heinz Hoppe (Staffelkapitän) 15
5./JG 26 : Fw. Wilhelm Freuwörth 58, Oblt. Horst Sternberg (Staffelkapitän) 19, Fw. Peter Crump 10, Lt. Walter Matoni 6
6./JG 26 : Hptm. Hans Naumann (Staffelkapitän) 20, Fw. Gerhard Vogt 13, Uffz. Heinz Gomann 5, Lt. Waldemar Radener 5
10./JG 26 : Oblt. Rudolf Leuschel (Staffelkapitän) 5

Stab III./JG 26 : Hptm. Kurt Mietusch (Kommandeur) 45
7./JG 26 : Ofw. Heinz Kemethmüller 74, Oblt. Georg Dippel 16
9./JG 26 : Oblt. Paul Schauder (Staffelkapitän) 13, Hptm. Peter-Paul Steindl 9, Fw. Franz Dörre 8, Uffz.Walter Holl 5-13
11./JG 26 : Lt. Karl-Heinz Kempf 57
12./JG 26 : Hptm. Hermann Staiger (Staffelkapitän) 31

Result : 35 aces, including 14 Experten (20+ victories) : total 867-875 victories

__________________________________________________ _____

JG 53 (from 'Spitfires over Sicily' and Tony Wood's MTO list)

Stab JG 53 : ObstLtn Günther Freiherr von Maltzahn 68 (Kommodore)

Stab I./JG 53 : Hptm. Friedrich-Karl Müller 118 (Kommandeur)
1./JG 53 : Fw. Heinz Sieg 13, Uffz. Erich Wagner 5
2./JG 53 : Oblt. Dietrich Kasten 17-18, Uffz. Hermann Holstein 6
3./JG 53 : Fw. Kurt Braasch 8

Stab II./JG 53 : Maj. Gerhard Michalski 58 (Kommandeur), Ltn. Alfred Hammer 6
4./JG 53 : Fw. Heinrich Frankenberger 8
5./JG 53 : Ofw. Herbert Rollwage 47, Oblt. Martin Laube 10, Ltn. Karl Paashaus 7
6./JG 53 : Ofw. Rudolf Ehrenberger 42, Fw. Hans Feyerlein 10, Ltn. Rolf Schlegel 5

Stab III./JG 53 : Hptm. Franz Götz 46, Ltn. Rolf Klippgen 14
7./JG 53 : Obfw Günther Seeger 40
8./JG 53 : Oblt. Franz Schiess 55, Ofw. Alfred Seidl 20, Uffz. Jens Bahnsen 18
9./JG 53 : Ltn. Franz Barten 45 (Staffelkapitän), Fw. Johannes Kuehl 13, Fw. Max Nairz 12, Fw. Otto Russ 9

At leats 26 aces, including 10 Experten (20+ victories) : total 698-699 victories.

Oblt Julius Meimberg (32 vic) was recovering from Tunisia wounds at the time and is not counted here. Is it right ?

My list is less reliable than my JG26 data.

______________________________________
JG 3 (based on Web researches)

Stab JG 3 : Obstlt. Wolf-Dietrich Wilcke (Kommodore) 156

Stab I./JG 3 : Hptm. Klaus Quaet-Faslem (Kommandeur) 47
1./JG 3 : Oblt. Helmut Mertens 52, Fw. Hubert Buschmann 21, Fw. Theodor Kaiser 20
2./JG 3 : Lt. Franz Schwaiger 55, Ofw. Gerhard Schütte 41, Oblt. Alfred Humer 20
3./JG 3 : Hptm. Rudolf Gemeroth 6

Stab II./JG 3 : Hptm. Kurt Brändle (Kom

[Richard T Eger]

From 12 O'Clock High!:

Alex Smart
Ohio, Malta
Fri Mar 8 20:16:37 2024
195.92.198.74

Can anyone tell me the unit, aircraft codes and crew names and fate of the Ju87 that crashed into th deck of the Ohio?
Any photos?

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Graham Boak
120o gruppo Tuffi
Fri Mar 8 22:59:22 2024
195.92.168.173

Serg. Magg. Oscar Raimondo of 239a Squadriglia, according to Malta: The Spitfire Year 1942. Individual a/c number and gunner's name was not provided.

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Ferdinando D'Amico
102° Gruppo Bombardamento a Tuffo (n/t)
Fri Mar 8 23:20:05 2024
151.27.16.68

[Richard T Eger]

From 12 O'Clock High!:

Eduardo
Luftwaffe losses over Malta
Sun Mar 10 12:29:00 2024
200.230.129.86

I would like to know if there is any book that gives a
detail list of Luftwaffe losses over Malta including pilot,
aircraft, Wrn marks and others informations.

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Rob Haig
Re: Luftwaffe losses over Malta
Mon Mar 11 08:02:48 2024
203.79.106.85

Hi,
Chris Shores two books, Malta:Hurricane Years and Malta: Spitfire years will give you an insight into these losses

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Eduardo
Thanks for your tips
Mon Mar 11 11:49:24 2024
200.212.9.141

Thanks.

[Richard T Eger]

From 12 O'Clock High!:

Andrew Arthy
Books by Obermaier, Held and Gundelach
Tue Mar 26 06:16:08 2024
129.180.1.204

Hi.

I'm chasing the following:

Gundelach, Karl, "Die deutsche Luftwaffe im Mittelmeer 1940-1945: Band I und II", Peter D. Lang, Frankfurt am Main, 1981, ISBN 3-8204-6641-X

Does anyone have this pair, or know where I can buy them? I have had a quick look on the Internet, but had no luck. If you are able to help me out with these books, please contact me offboard.

Also, does the following:

Held, Werner, & Obermaier, Ernst, "The Luftwaffe in the North African Campaign: A Photo Chronicle 1941-1943", Schiffer Publishing, Atglen, 1992 ISBN 0-88740-343-3

have any photos or information about FW 190s in North Africa?

PS - I am also interested in exchanging information with someone who has ORB material for RAF fighter units in Tunisia in November and December 1942 (especially 72 and 81 Squadron).

Cheers,
Andrew Arthy

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Bård
Obermaier/Held book .......
Wed Mar 27 10:32:35 2024
130.67.210.252


...is available as 2nd-hand at www.abebooks.com

Bård

[Richard T Eger]

From 12 O'Clock High!:

Rob Romero
"Palm Sunday Massacre"
Mon Apr 22 05:51:43 2024
209.246.80.103

On April 18, 1943 Allied fighters massacred Luftwaffe transport units and escorting fighters. I’d appreciate any details on this action (units, losses, aces involved)or any other similar massacres. Also were there any ofher disasters like this on the eastern or western fronts.

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Ivo Nienhaus
here is some info I found:........
Mon Apr 22 12:54:05 2024
195.121.129.193

.....About a hundred Ju-52's, escorted by Macchi C-202's, Bf-109 and Bf-110's. Intercepted of cape Bon by 46 P-40's of 57th FG (one of the squadrons of the 57th was the 66 FS), 12 P-40's of the 314th FS of the 324 FG and 12 Spitfires from RAF no. 92 sqn providing top cover for the P-40's.

The US pilots claimed 50 to 70 Ju-52's. The Germans later admitted to losing 51 Ju-52's and 16 fighters. The Allies lost 6 P-40's and 1 Spitfire.

A week before USAAF P-38's escorting B-25's encountered around 35 Ju-52's plus escort over the Sicilian Strait. They attacked the formation and claimed 21 Ju-52's and 4 escort fighters destroyed. Even the B-25's joined the fighting and also claimed some Ju-52's.

Source: Airwar Volume I, by Edward Jablonski. (The books shows a great picture of this attack, several Ju-52's skimming the water and B-25's attacking them)

Regards

Ivo

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Don Pearson
Re: "Palm Sunday Massacre"
Mon Apr 22 21:42:23 2024
68.38.172.172

Prien in "JG 53" vol 2 reports 65 Ju52s escorted by 7./JG 53, 15 aircraft from II./JG 27, 2 Bf110s from III./ZG 76 and 3 Me210s from III./ZG 1. Losses were assessed at 24 Ju52 lost, 35 damaged, 9 Bf109s lost and 1 Bf110 lost.