Aufklarer in Italy



Mediterranean Reconnaissance Information
By Andrew Arthy


3 September 1943

On an escort mission for 24 Bostons to D.5260 from 08:05 to 09:40, eight aircraft of 154 Squadron chased a Ju 88 reconnaissance aircraft to the north of Sicily during the return flight, shooting it down in the sea from 34,000 ft.

Ju 88 T-1 WNr. 430 770 ‘4U + KH’ of 1.(F)/123 was posted missing on a mission to Sicily. The pilot was Lt. Friedrich Ungethüm.


4 September 1943

From 12:00 to 15:45 a Ju 88 flew from Frosinone on reconnaissance from Cape Alice to 14 Ost 7084, 13 Ost 7547, 8538, 8912, and back to Frosinone. No shipping traffic was seen, and visibility was 40 to 50 km. [original times]


5 September 1943

Ju 88 D-1 WNr. 430 854 ‘8H  + IL’ of 3.(F)/33, flying from Frosinone, was posted missing on a mission during the day. The pilot was Uffz. Hermann Müller.[1]

Ju 88 A-4 WNr. 8674 ‘4D + BP’ of II./K.G. 30 was lost on a mission in the Bergamo area, although the crew were all unhurt., including pilot Uffz. Rudolf Block.


6 September 1943

A.Gr. 122 was ordered to focus its main effort during the night of 5/6 September offshore of Sardinia to pick up Allied landing operations, especially from the area of Bizerta and harbours west of there as far as Bougie. A.Gr. 122 was also to reconnoitre offshore south of Naples and north of Sicily as far as Cap San Vito, east of Calabria, and west of Sicily as far as Syracuse to pick up landings. On the morning of 6 September, A.Gr. 122 was to carry out offshore reconnaissance north and east of Sicily, and photographic reconnaissance of Trapeze, Jezebel, Mildew, Uncouth [codenames] and Santa Theresa di Riva. Watch was to be kept on Lipari Islands, offshore of Apulia, and sea reconnaissance west. In the afternoon there was to be offshore reconnaissance north and east of Sicily, over the Tyrrhenian sea, the area 38 to 39 North, 10 to 12 East, sea reconnaissance south-east, and offshore of Apulia.

Ju 88 D-1 WNr. 430 880 of 1.(F)/33 was lost on a mission in the Mediterranean when it made a forced landing on the sea due to technical problems. The crew was rescued.

Table: 2. Fliegerdivision Strength Return, evening 6 September 1943
1.(F)33              13              11              0                 11                                         
1.(F)/122          9                 6                0                 8                 3                3              2
2./128                8                 7                0                 11              6                3              2


Night 6/7 September 1943

For the night of 6/7 September, A.Gr. 122 was to carry out photographic reconnaissance of Rickshaw, if it wasn’t carried out on the night of 5/6 September.

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Early on 7 September 1943 the A.Gr. 122 Ic reported that at 22:40 in 13 Ost 4967 there were two ships, presumably destroyers, course 270 degrees, medium speed, eleven to seventeen knots. In 13 Ost 4984 there were two ships, not clearly identifiable.

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At 00:39 a Ju 88 took off from Frosinone on night reconnaissance of the Messina Straits area. Two ships were sighted at 03:45 30 to 40 miles south of Messina.


7 September 1943

During the night of 7/8 September 1943 A.Gr. 122 was to carry out offshore reconnaissance north and east of Sicily, the west and east coast of Calabria, offshore reconnaissance of Apulia and sea areas between Naples and the north coast of Sicily. The unit was to pick up enemy sea transports for landing undertakings. In the forenoon the Gruppe was to carry out offshore reconnaissance of north and east Sicily, including aerial photographs of harbours and point of departure of enemy traffic going across. There was to be patrol of the Lipari Islands and the sea area between Naples and Sicily. Also in the forenoon, offshore reconnaissance was to be carried out of Apulia. In the afternoon A.Gr. 122 was to carry out offshore reconnaissance north and east of Sicily, and the Tyrrhenian Sea, 13 Ost 09 and 19, along with sea reconnaissance south-east, offshore reconnaissance of Apulia.

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Between 13:15 and 15:47 a Ju 88 flew sea reconnaissance along the offshore area off Apulia, route 14 Ost 6187, 8057, 9041, 9137, 7285, 7127, along the coast to Gallipoli. No enemy shipping traffic was seen. [original times]

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At 10:25 aircraft M8 of 1.(F)/122 landed. [original time]

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From …:00 [first two digits missing] to 11:30 sea reconnaissance was carried out on route 04 Ost 8159 (Messina), 13 Ost 3939, 2967, 1875, 3986, 5847, 6489. [original times]

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At 14:50 a German reconnaissance aircraft, probably of A.Gr. 122, reported in 13 Ost 3918 that there was a convoy of approximately 60 landing craft with one cruiser and five escorts, course 45 degrees. There were two flying boats over the convoy. [original time]

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Ju 88 ‘8H + FH’ of 1.(F)/33 took off at 15:42. [original time]

Ju 88 ‘F6 + EH’ of 1.(F)/122 took off at 15:44. [original time]

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Ju 88 D-1 WNr. 430 745 ‘4U + NH’ of 1.(F)/123 was lost on a mission to Malta, with all of the crew posted missing, including pilot Uffz. Friedrich Greuel.

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On this day a 2.(F)/122 Ju 88 marked ‘F6 + NK’ took off for a mission.

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During the day the II. Fliegerkorps Ic reported that in the Straits of Messina there were twelve large and 25 small landing craft. In 14 Ost 5000 – 13 Ost 5900 – 4920 – 40 – 60 – 5820 – 6810 – 6900 there were no sightings. Offshore reconnaissance of western Calabria to a depth of ten kilometres saw no observations due to haze.

At 14:00 the Ic reported twelve large and 50 small landing craft scattered over the Straits of Messina. From 5000/14 Ost – 5900 – 4920 – 4940 – 4960 – 5820 – 6810 – 690/13 Ost there were no sightings. The offshore area of the west coast of Calabria to a depth of ten kilometres was not observed due to haze. [original times]

A.Gr. 122 had three Ju 88s due up by 04:30. Two aircraft of A.Gr. 122 were due up or up before 12:00, perhaps in addition to the three due up by 04:30. One aircraft was down at 10:30. One aircraft of 1.(F)/122 was up at 15:45. One aircraft of 1.(F)/33 was up at 15:45. Another of 1.(F)/33 was up from 11:15 to 15:15 on sea reconnaissance to the sea area of the central Mediterranean due south of the Taranto Gulf. Other areas covered by A.Gr. 122 reconnaissance included offshore of the north coast of Sicily, and from Sardinia – Bougie – off Tunis – Sardinia, including photographic reconnaissance of Bizerta at 14:45, from 14:00 to 18:15. [original times]


Night 7/8 September 1943

At 03:25 a German reconnaissance aircraft reported that in 14 Ost 4189 ships were spotted in a smokescreen. [original times]


8 September 1943

One Me 410 took off at 04:30 to carry out photographic reconnaissance of Palermo. A Ju 88 took off at 05:30 to reconnoitre the Apulia area. One Ju 88 flew the usual reconnaissance west, period including 07:00 to 09:00. [original times]

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From 05:30 a Ju 88 flew sea reconnaissance to the Sea of Apulia, but saw no enemy. [original times]

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At 16:10 a pilot of 3.(F)/33 claimed a P-38 shot down 80 km south-west of Naples.

Between 15:20 and 17:00 Lt. Vogelsong and Major Burton E. McKenzie of the 49th FS/14th FG damaged a Ju 88 at Ischia Island.

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Night 8/9 September 1943

At 00:35 a German night reconnaissance aircraft reported the arrival of shipping off Salerno.


9 September 1943

Ju 88 D-1 WNr. 430 601 ‘8H + FH’ of 1.(F)/33 was lost on a mission, cause and location unknown, including pilot Ofw. Fritz Wenger.


11 September 1943

At 11:30 Ju 88 F6 + NK took off for south-east reconnaissance. [original time]

At 13:00 Ju 88 F6 + JK took off for offshore reconnaissance of Apulia. [original time]

At 14:30 Me 410 ‘F6 + ?K’ took off for offshore reconnaissance between Cape Circeo and the Straits of Messina, the north Sicilian coast, and the Tyrrhenian sea, Pl.Qu. 14 Ost 00, 10, 20, 13 Ost 09, 19.  [original time]


12 September 1943

The Allies carried out a bombing attack on Frosinone airfield at resulting in ten dead and fifteen wounded. The material damaged amounted to two aircraft destroyed and five damaged, while rendering the airfield unserviceable.

The Luftflotte 2 Chief QM signalled the Air Staff QMG. 4 Abt. on the evening of 14 September that the entire stock of GM-1 at Frosinone was destroyed by air attack, so supplies had to be sent to Rome/Guidonia instead.

After this raid 2.(F)/122 moved from Frosinone to Guidonia.

67 Allied bombers attacked Frosinone airfield, with sticks laid across hangers and through dispersal areas.


12/13 September 1943

Ju 88 ‘5M + R’, piloted by Fw. Schlegel, of Wekusta 26, Foggia, took off at 23:50 on 12 September, and was overdue. Its last wireless communication was 23:59. Its task was shadowing for bomber formations. [original times]

Ju 88 D-1 WNr. 430 642 ‘5M + 1R’ of Wekusta 26 was lost in the Salerno area, with one crewman killed, and two unhurt. The pilot, Fw. Helmut Schlegel, was one of those unhurt. [loss list says 12 September 1943]


13 September 1943

Ju 88 D-1 WNr. 430 545 ‘T4 + CH’ of 1.(F)/33 was lost flying a mission under Luftflotte 3, with the pilot being Fw. Arthur Geuther.


14 September 1943

1.(F)/122 landed at 19:20. [original time]


Night 15/16 September 1943

German night reconnaissance began to be active at 23:30.


16 September 1943

On a mission from 11:00 to 12:00 a 307th FS/31st FG pilot downed a Ju 88 in T-8570, east of Stromoli Island.

Lt. Hormats of the 307th FS/31st FG, who had been a spare for a previous mission, was returning to base in his Spitfire Mk. VC, flying east from Stromboli Island, and just after turning back at 20,000 feet he saw a Ju 88 going south at 18,000 feet over the toe of Italy. He dove to attack, and closed to 400 yards and 3,000 feet altitude, firing all ammunition. The left engine caught fire, and the Ju 88 crashed at T-8570.

2/Lt. Malcolm A. Hormats of the 307th FS/31st FG claimed a Ju 88 destroyed at T-8570, east of Stromoli Island, between 11:00 and 12:00.


20 September 1943

The Allied Y Service reported that six Ju 88s based in the Rome area carried out shipping reconnaissance during the day.


21 September 1943

At 12:00 an aircraft of Gruppe 122 flew reconnaissance over Apulia and the Gulf of Taranto. [original time]


22 September 1943

At 00:15 and 00:20 individual aircraft of Gruppe 122 took off for reconnaissance west and south. [original times]

At 06:00 a reconnaissance Ju 88 of Gruppe 122 was due up to reconnoitre Apulia. [original times]

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From 06:15 to 09:45 a reconnaissance Ju 88 of Gruppe 122  was to reconnoitre the Tyrrhenian Sea and search for a large convoy. [original times]

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Between 07:15 and 09:45 a Me 410 of Gruppe 122 flew photographic reconnaissance of Salerno and Palermo. [original times]

At 11:30 Ju 88 5MA took off, task Apulia. [original time]

At 12:00 Ju 88 ‘F6 + HK’ of Gruppe 122 took off for PR of harbours and airfields in Apulia. [original time]

At 13:15 a Ju 88 of Gruppe 122 took off for reconnaissance of the Tyrrhenian Sea. [original times]


Night 22/23 September 1943

From 00:40 to 04:55 a Ju 88 of Gruppe 122 flew reconnaissance of the Gulf of Taranto. [original times]


23 September 1943

At 04:00 a Ju 88 of Gruppe 122 took off for a reconnaissance mission of the western portion of the Tyrrhenian Sea. [original times]

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At 05:10 a Ju 88 of Gruppe 122 took off to fly reconnaissance in the sea area of Sardinia – Sicily. [original times]

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At 05:26 a Ju 88 of Gruppe 122 took off for reconnaissance of Apulia. [original times]


Night 23/24 September 1943

A German night reconnaissance aircraft made numerous ship sightings in the Salerno area and Tyrrhenian Sea from 00:45 to 03:05. [original times]


24 September 1943

There was to be sea reconnaissance of the Tyrrhenian Sea, and offshore reconnaissance of Apulia. Photographic reconnaissance was to be carried out of Maddalena and Bizerta harbours, weather permitting. There was also to be photographic reconnaissance of Sicilian harbours on the west and north coasts, Sapri, Salerno, Brindisi, Taranto, and Bari. There was also to be photographic reconnaissance of Calabrian and Apulian airfields. Close reconnaissance was to discover the direction of the enemy’s advance and main points of attack. Ground-attack aircraft and fighters were to carry out the same tasks.

From 05:30 to 10:02 a security reconnaissance mission was flown by a Ju 88 between two and seven degrees east to 39 degrees north. No shipping was seen. [original times]

From 14:25 to 16:45 a reconnaissance aircraft reported no enemy sightings in the western part of the Tyrrhenian Sea. [original times]

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From 13:30 to 19:20 a Ju 88 flew reconnaissance between two and seven degrees east to 37 degrees, 30 minutes north. No shipping was seen. [original times]

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Ten Spitfires of 72 Squadron patrolled PEACHES beach between 15:35 and 17:05, and W/Cdr. Dundas and F/Sgt. Larlee destroyed a Ju 88.

A Me 410 of 2.(F)/122 was shot down in combat at Avellino, with the two crewmen both wounded.

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At 10:30 a reconnaissance report after landing noted no shipping movements were seen in the Tyrrhenian Sea. [original time]


28 September 1943

II. Fliegerkorps operations were restricted to two by night, and three by day, all of which were reconnaissance.

A Me 410 of 2.(F)/122 was lost east of Corsica on a mission, with the crewmen both posted missing.


30 September 1943

At 16:20 HMS Alynbank [hard to read] opened fire on a high-flying aircraft. At 16:21 there was an air raid warning, with all clear at 16:35.

The CO of the 31st FG, Col. Charles Milton McCorkle, claimed an Me 210 destroyed at 16:30 from N-7315 to N-1482.

In the afternoon six Spitfires of the 309th FS/31st FG, including two Spitfire Mk. IXs, patrolled Peaches beach, and saw a single Me 410 at 21,000 feet. They were fired upon from 600 yards, but Col. McCorkle, with Lt. Griffing as his number two, attacked from behind from 300 yards. He hit the port engine, from which white glycol came. One of his cannons jammed, but Col. McCorkle continued firing with his machine-guns, causing black and white smoke to come from the port engine. The enemy then turned sharply to try and evade, going from 21,000 to 3,000 feet in a dive. The American broke off the attack when his machine-guns ran out of ammunition, and he was under fire from anti-aircraft guns. They saw two small fires in the area where the German aircraft would have crashed. Col. McCorkle’s aircraft received two .5 calibre bullet holes and some damage from anti-aircraft fire from a friendly emplacement near Mercato San Severino.


6 October 1943

In the evening two Spitfires of the High-Altitude Flight at Gioia scrambled to intercept an enemy aircraft east of the airfield, flying north-west. It proved to be a Ju 88. F/Sgt. Saville returned after 50 minutes with engine trouble, but W/O. Fry closed in. He received several holes in his aircraft, but attacked the Ju 88 from 100-150 yards, damaging it. He caught the aircraft at 36,000 feet.


10 October 1943

A Ju 88 D-1 of 2.(F)/122 crashed due to engine failure south-west of Perugia during a mission. The three members of the crew were all injured.


11 October 1943

A Ju 88 A-4 of Wekusta 26 suffered 80 per cent damage in a crash-landing due to engine problems at Perugia after a combat mission.


13 October 1943

A Ju 88 crew of 1.(F)/121, attached to 1.(F)/33, flew a reconnaissance mission from Montpellier to Oran.


15 October 1943

At 11:45 Johnny van Nus and Bernie Trotter of 1 SAAF Squadron took off from Gioia to patrol eight miles out to sea from Brindisi to Bari. They were directed by a ground controller to a bandit, which they identified as an Me 210, which they attacked and shot down as it tried to escape. Van Nus hit it first, and Trotter finished it off. It flew into the ground near Barletta and burst into flames.

A Me 410 A-1 of 2.(F)/122 was reported lost between Termoli and Bari, probably in combat, with both crewmen reported missing.

A Ju 88 D of Wekusta 26 was lost on a mission on the west coast of Calabria, cause unknown, with the four members of the crew all reported missing.


19 October 1943

A Ju 88 crew of 1.(F)/121, attached to 1.(F)/33, flew a reconnaissance mission from Montpellier to Algiers.


21 October 1943

Ju 88 ‘7A + HH’ of 1.(F)/121, attached to 1.(F)/33, was lost about 80 miles south of the Balearic Islands, Spain, at 18:15, having taken off from Montpellier at 14:30 to shadow an eastbound convoy. The aircraft had taken off to relieve an aircraft of 1.(F)/33, which had located the Allied convoy some hours earlier. It was attacked and downed by a single-engine fighter from 1,500 feet, and the crew was taken prisoner. The pilot was Oblt. Franz Lorek. The crew were told that 80 aircraft of K.G. 26 and K.G. 100 were to follow half an hour later to make a combined attack with radio-controlled bombs and torpedos. They were to guide the attackers, and then photograph results. They evaded Allied fighters several times, but at around 18:15, just as the attacking bombers arrived, the Ju 88 was attacked from the port quarter by two fighters, which the crew believed were Kittyhawks. The pilot ditched, and they were picked up 48 hours later by a Polish destroyer.

A Me 410 of 2.(F)/122 was lost on a mission, cause and location unknown, with the two crewmen reported missing.


23 October 1943

At 12:40 an Me 210 was going north-east over Bari, and was damaged by a patrolling 232 Squadron Spitfire.

A Ju 88 of Wekusta 26 was lost over either the east or west coasts of Italy on a mission, with the crew all posted missing.


28 October 1943

A Me 410 A-1 of 2.(F)/122 was shot down by German anti-aircraft gunners east of Falionara during a mission. The crew was unhurt.


30 October 1943

At 13:50 a section of 1 SAAF Squadron scrambled from Pelata and saw a twin-engined aircraft going south-east at 30,000 feet. They were gaining on the aircraft when it flicked over into thick cumulus cloud, and they lost contact.

Perugia was bombed, and a pilot of 2.(F)/122 was wounded.


4 November 1943

1/Lt. Edmund D. Griffin, Jr. of the 523rd FS/27th FG claimed an Me 210 destroyed in the vicinity of Guidonia at 10:50. At 11:00 1/Lt. Harry R. Cassleman and 1/Lt. Edmund D. Griffin, Jr. of the same unit each claimed a Bf 109 G-2 destroyed in the same location.

2.(F)/122 reported the loss of an Me 410 to fighters at Castellignano, the crew being killed.


8 November 1943

Between 14:35 and 15:35 1/Lt. Clarence F. Musgrave of the 65th FS/57th FG claimed a Ju 88 shot down one mile of Pescara.

A bomb line patrol near Vasto by four Spitfires of 1 SAAF Squadron began at 14:40, and they heard over the R/T that Kittyhawks in the area “were having a dice, and heard one of them say that he had bopped one.

A Ju 88 D-1 of the Stab of (F)/122 was shot down by enemy fighters north-east of Pescara, and the three-man crew was posted missing as a result.


11 November 1943

An Me 410 of 2.(F)/122 was shot down by enemy aircraft south of Arpino, with the two-man crew killed.

Twelve Spitfires of 43 Squadron flew a bomb line patrol between 13:45 and 15:10, and nine or more enemy aircraft were reported. F/Lt. Turkington claimed a Ju 88 destroyed.

F/Lt. R.W. Turkington of 43 Squadron claimed a victory, his fifth.


12 November 1943

On a mission from 14:40 to 17:10 the 526th FS/86th FG claimed two Ju 88s destroyed north of Rome, one in F-6020, and the other in F-3668.

2/Lt. William M. Fox, 2/Lt. Clifford D. McLean and 1/Lt. August L. Woeltz of the 526th FBS/86th FBG shared an aerial victory.


24 November 1943

One Me 410 and one Ju 88 flew sea reconnaissance of Sardinia and Corsica, checking the weather at La Maddalena and Bastia.


25 November 1943

Two Ju 88s and two Me 410s flew reconnaissance over the Tyrrhenian Sea and elsewhere.


26 November 1943

At 13:35 a Ju 88 that seemed to be returning from a reconnaissance flight was fired upon at the Cascano road junction [probably] to Sessa while at 1,000 feet. Eleven rounds were fired by the 115 LAA Regt RA. A/377 Bty fired nine rounds before having to cease fire due to Spitfires, which were damaging the enemy aircraft. Two hits were reported and the tail unit was blown off. The enemy aircraft crashed, with four crewmen bailing out. One, who was wounded, was captured, and taken to … [can’t make it out].

On a bomb line patrol by six Spitfires of 43 Squadron between 12:40 and 13:55 a Ju 88 was reported. The enemy aircraft was attacked by all six Spitfires, and one Ju 88 was claimed destroyed by the squadron.

After lunch 1 SAAF Squadron pilots at Palata spotted a high vapour trail moving south, and then turning east. Two pilots scrambled, and one of them caught it at 30,000 feet, where it was receiving a fair amount of anti-aircraft fire. He got to within two miles when it dived away. M.O.R.U. later reported that the Me 210 was destroyed by 145 Squadron pilots.

In the early afternoon the 307th FS/31st FG had a high harbour patrol aloft, and confirmed a Ju 88 shot down in flames by the RAF’s 324 Wing.

At 14:10 an Me 410 of 2.(F)/122 was shot up by fighters and finished off by anti-aircraft fire, and belly-landed in the shallows of the River Sangro, H.3595. The aircraft had been on strategical reconnaissance. The two crewmen were taken prisoner.

An Me 410 of 2.(F)/122 was lost in the area of Foggia-Bari-Termoli, probably due to enemy fighters, with the two crewmen posted missing.

A Ju 88 T-1 of 1.(F)/123 was lost in the Naples area, cause unknown, on a mission. Two of the crew were killed, and one was posted missing.

A Ju 88 T-1 from 1.(F)/123 was shot down by enemy fighters at Naples, with the four members of the crew posted missing.


27 November 1943

At 07:15 Me 410 W.Nr 102 596 ‘F6 + OK’ of 2.(F)/122 had taken off from Perugia for a photographic reconnaissance mission, carrying no bombs. After take off it flew westwards across Italy in ten-tenths cloud, and then turned south over the sea, navigating by D/R until over the estimated position of Naples. While on a north-west course at 270 km/h at 30,000 feet a fault developed in the petrol system, so he made a wheels down landing at the nearest airfield at 11:00, which, to his great surprise, was Montecorvino. The crew was taken prisoner.

An Me 410 of 2.(F)/122 was lost at Naples, cause unknown, on a mission, with the crew reported as missing.


1-3 December 1943

From 1 to 3 December 2.(F)/33 determinedly shadowed two eastbound convoys, but no anti-shipping attacks developed as a result.


3 December 1943

A Ju 88 D-1 of Wekusta 26 was lost in a forced landing on the sea at Ancona during an operational flight.


4 December 1943

An Me 410 of 2.(F)/122 was lost to enemy fighters at Bari, with the two crewmen posted missing.

At 11:44 an aircraft of 2.(F)/122 sent an S.O.S., but was not heard again by Allied Y Service.


7 December 1943

At an unknown time 1/Lt. James Otey Tyler of the 4th FS/52nd FG claimed an Me 210 shot down off Corsica.


12 December 1943


A Ju 88 A-4 of Wekusta 26 suffered ten per cent damage in a crash landing at Perugia airfield due to pilot error after a mission.

An aircraft of 1.(F)/123 was heard to call unsuccessfully by the Allied Y Service from 07:17 to 10:04.


14 December 1943

Lt. Leonard H. Emery of the 308th FS/31st FG claimed a Ju 88 damaged from 12:05 to 13:55 at the mouth of the Tiber River.


16 December 1943

An Me 410 of 2.(F)/122 suffered 25 per cent damage in a crash on landing at Perugia airfield after a mission.


21 December 1943

A Ju 88 D-1 of 2.(F)/122 was lost on a mission at Adria [Adriatic Sea?], cause unknown.


22 December 1943

A Ju 88 D-1 of 1.(F)/123 was lost on a mission to Sardinia and Corsica, with the four-man crew posted missing.

‘4U + UH’ of 1.(F)/123 was called unsuccessfully from 09:14 to 17:15.


24 December 1943

Two 66th FS/ FG pilots shared in the destruction of a Ju 88 fifteen miles south-west of Sibenik on a mission from 10:05 to 12:25.

At 09:30 an aircraft of 1.(F)/123 reported fighters, and was called until 11:38 without success.

A Ju 88 D-1 of 1.(F)/123 was lost at the Adria [Adriatic Sea?], probably due to enemy fighters, and the crew was posted missing.

An aircraft of Westa 26 reported fighters at 20:18, and was called unsuccessfully until 00:40 on the 25th.

A Ju 88 D-1 of Wekusta 26 was lost at an unknown location, probably due to enemy fighters, with the crew all posted missing.


26 December 1943

A Ju 88 D-1 of Wekusta 26 was lost in the Adria [Adriatic Sea?], cause unknown, with the four-man crew posted missing.


28 December 1943

Between 14:15 and 14:30 1/Lt. Terrell E. Yon of the 5th FS/52nd FG claimed an Me 210 or Me 410 destroyed between Elba and the mainland.

An Me 410 of 2.(F)/122 was shot down by fighters off the island of Elba, with the radio operator killed and the pilot wounded.

‘F6 + RK’ of 2.(F)/122 was lost on this day, with no news at Safety Service stations up to 17:30.


6 January 1944

At an unrecorded time 1/Lt. Elmer G. Boney of the 2nd FS/52nd FG claimed a Ju 88 destroyed ten miles south-west of Ajaccio.

One FW 190 of F.A.Gr. 122 was shot down.


8 January 1944

At 10:10 Me 410 ‘F6 + PK’ of 2.(F)/122 took off from Perugia to fly photographic reconnaissance of shipping off the east coast of Italy, and was brought down at Castiglione at 11:00. It had been flying at 27,000 feet in a south-easterly direction when it was attacked and shot down by a Spitfire. The pilot, Fw. Helmut Atzler, was killed, and the wireless operator, Uffz. Willi Ehrhard, was taken prisoner.

It was to check shipping in the Adriatic and along the eastern coast. Supply ships approaching the coast were to be reported immediately by radio. At 10:50, while flying at around 28,000 feet, it was suddenly attacked by a Spitfire out of the sun, with both engines put out of action. The pilot tried to land in the wooded mountainous region near Castiglione/Marsa Marino, but hit the tops of some trees. The pilot was killed and the wireless operator crawled out and gave himself up to British troops.


14 January 1944

At 12:45 a Ju 88 A-4 of 1.(F)/123 took off from Perugia to fly photographic reconnaissance of Italian airfields within Allied lines. It was downed near Mignano at 14:28. The aircraft had finished its mission when it was attacked by Allied fighters while returning to base at around 25,000 feet on a north-westerly course. The crew bailed out, and the aircraft crashed and exploded. Uffz. Bruno Ruch was the pilot, and all four were wounded and taken prisoner.



Bibliography


Primary Sources

NA ADM 53/117902
NA AIR 23/6508
NA AIR 23/7606
NA AIR 26/425
NA AIR 26/431
NA AIR 40/2253
NA AIR 40/2415
NA AIR 40/2416
NA AIR 54/30
NA HW 5
NA WO 169/10018
BA-MA RL 2 II/303
BA-MA RL 2 II/956
NARA RG 18, Box 2270
Genst.Gen.Qu.6.Abt.
Luftwaffe Victory Claims Microfilms


Secondary Sources

Kucera, Dennis C. In a Now Forgotten Sky – The 31st Fighter Group in WW2, Flying Machines Press, Stratford, 1997.
Luce, Steve W. The 86th Fighter Group in World War II: Have Guns (and Bombs) Will Travel, Eagle Editions, Hamilton, 2007.
Olynyk, Frank J. Victory List No. 6: USAAF (Mediterranean Theater) Credits for the Destruction of Enemy Aircraft in Air-to-Air Combat of World War 2, self-published, Aurora, 1987.
Saunders, Andy No 43 ‘Fighting Cocks’ Squadron, Osprey Publishing, Botley, 2003.
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[1]Relating to the loss of Ju 88 D-1 W.Nr. 430854, 8H+IL of the 3.(F)/33 on 5 September 1943. The crew consisted of Uffz. Hermann Müller, Uffz. Heinz Stolte, Uffz. Josef Lisinski and Georg Kalbling and their scheduled mission a shipping reconnaissance of the Oran – Phillippville convoy route. Their reconnaissance flight pattern required the aircraft to be flown on a zig-zag course at low-level and while executing a turn at the end of one leg the aircraft touched the water shattering the propeller blades and leaving Müller no option but to ditch the crippled aircraft. After spending a few days adrift in their dinghy, the crew were rescued by an Allied launch and made P/Ws. For Müller & Stolte it had been their first operational sortie with the Staffel.

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