Trying to trace the Unit of 2x Ju-88 shot down June 6th 1944 in Galati, Romania?
 

I have been reading about the 325th action on that day during Operation Frantic and talking with one of the pilots.

Although the official claims for that day by the 325th were 1x Ju-88 2x Fw-190 and 2x 109, the Pilot I was speaking to approached both Ju-88's but another P-51 sneaked in ahead of him (much to his non-amusement) and shot both down.

The Pilot who shot them down, according to the Pilot I was talking to, certainly dispatched both or my contact would have shot the other down.

I am trying to ascertain whether 2x Ju-88 were lost in that area, or whether it was 1 shot-down and 1 severely damaged?

Allied to that detail, I wonder if anyone can tell me what Unit they were with and as a long-shot, maybe the Unit of the 109's and 109's.

I only ask as I am intrigued by the fact that my contact saw 2x Ju-88's shot down, but the pilot who did the shooting down only ever claimed 1.

Cheers, MP

Two Ju-88:s by one plane? Can't be CoD damage modelling then? Is there anyone that has managed to get two 88:s without the Kamikaze/Polish frontal attack style?

.50 cal

Yes, 2xJu-88 and it wasn't the IL2 .50 Calibre ;)

Where they German JU88'S MP? I see the Romanians were using them at the time as well. Will help to narrow the search down a bit.

S`

Honestly that is all the information I have. The 325th were involved in Operation Frantic at the time and the records show their claims for the day, but the pilot I spoke with is certain that Two Ju-88's were shot down in that area.

Sorry, I have no-more details :(

Cheers, MP

Well had a quick look at what books I have on the JU-88 and most june records concentrate on the D-day actions.
Most German action seems to have been over Italy around thoses dates though I can find no losses for the 6 June.

Mediterranean
31 May- Four German aircraft were lost including the following three JU-88's from KG77: W.nr.801620(3Z+IN), 822098(3Z+HL) AND 550914(3Z+KK)

My guess would be one of these:
KV 3626
Fliegerkorps I informed on 25th April of following locations:

(a) Rumanian units: two bomber Staffeln at Ciocarlia. One recce Staffel at Podresti (Bucharest). One sea recce Staffel at Mamaia. One sea recce Staffel at Valcov (comment: 4524/2934 East). One fighter Gruppe, one bomber Staffel at Janka (comment: 52 kilometres south of Galatz) with part detachment of one at Jebrieni (comment: 4532/2935 East).

(b) Bulgarian recce Staffel at Varna.

more info here http://www.ghostbombers.com/various/...a/rumania.html

I see that Hungarian Ju-88's were also active at that time.

If you start a thread at http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/forumdisplay.php?f=8 I'm sure they will be able to help.

S`

Edit* From the OKL order of battle dated 26th june 1944
I. Fliegerkorps (HQ: Foçsani / Moldavia)
L.R. Reconnaissance: 3.(F)/121 Zilistea 8 Ju 88
.R. Reconnaissance: NSt. 1 Focsani 14 Do 217: He 111
This seems the closest unit to Galati operating Ju88's at the time:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c9...n/Untitled.jpg

Sauf, thanks for the detailed feedback.

I have since reviewed the conversation with the Pilot and he mentions that he actually met the Pilot who was shot down, during a reunion many-years after the war.

Sadly he didn't get his name (as is always the way!) but he did say that the Pilot was definitely Romanian. He said the Romanian told him that on that day he was flying, he got shot down by a Mustang of the 325th. My contact said "I know, I saw him do it!"

So it was a Ju-88 of the Romanian Air-Force...does that get anywhere nearer identifying the Unit?

Cheers, MP

Ask here: http://www.worldwar2.ro/forum/
There are some knowledgeable people posting there, including Denes Bernard.