Aufkl. Gr. 122 Apr 1942

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1 Apr 1942 – 3.(F)/122 sent out a Ju 88 from Montidier on a morning sortie to search for shipping on the English East Coast between Whitby and Sherringham. The aircraft was “in area” between 07.28 and 07.55 hrs Z but the crew did not report any sightings. The aircraft landed back at Montidier at 09.59 hrs Z.[1]

Date Unit Aircraft Type Code Wkr.No. Notes
01 Apr 1942 4(F)./122 Ju 88D-5 1767 Saki, suffered 20% damage due to bombing.[2]

2 Apr 1942 – F6+AL from 3.(F)/122 at Montidier operated the early morning sortie to the English East Coast. The crew covered the area between Whitby – Humer – Harwich being “in area” between 07.50 and 08.40 hrs Z. Off Spurn Point at 07.53 the aircraft shadowed the convoy FN 71. At 08.40 hrs Z off Harwich the crew reported the sighting of odd individula ships. By 09.31 hrs Z the aircraft had landed at Montidier.[3]

F6+HL of 3.(F)/122 took off from Montidier at 17.10 hrs Z for a preliminary reconnaissance sortie of Dover and part of the Channel over which aircraft from Evreux were to fly for the coming night attack. At 18.30 and 18.35 hrs Z the crew submitted two weather reports.[4]

04 Apr 1942 – 1.(F)./122 at Gerbini with a strength of 14 aircraft, 10 of which were operational.[5]

06 Apr 1942 – 2(F)./122 had a Ju 88 damaged in a collision with a Ju 88 of Wekusta 26 during a night landing.

Sortie by 4(F)./122 encompassing Kamysch Burun, Kersch Strait Crimea; Anapa; Novorossijsk; Gelendsnik; Golubazkij, all except Kamysch Burun being on the Black Sea. At 07.05 hrs reported shipping at Kamysch Burun, at 07.14 hrs a tanker northwest of Anapa, two small freighters at Anapa at 07.20 hrs and further shipping until it reached the end of its sortie.[6]

In addition, in a separate sortie, 4(F)122 photographed the railway yards at Sem Kolodesej (Sim Kolodiaziv), Crimea at 09.34 hrs and those at Ak-Monaj (Ak-Minaj) at 09.38 hrs identifying 20 railway wagons at Ak-Monaj.[7]

4(F)./122 also photographed the following airfields, between 09.32 hrs and 09.36 hrs, Ak Monaj (Ak-Minaj) (Zeil Code SU 10 962); Semikolodzy I (Zeil code SU 10 3799) and Semikolodzy II (Zeil Code SU 10 4148).[8]

Date Unit Aircraft Type Code Wkr.No. Notes
06 Apr 1942 2(F)./122 Ju 88D-5 0168 Rammed by Ju 88 of Westa 26 during a night landing at Caglieari-Elams and suffered 20% damage. The Westa 26 aircraft (Ju88D-1 WNr.1698) suffered 60% damage.M

10 Apr 1942 – 2(F)./122 sent out a sortie to the south of Crete the aircraft failed to return.

Date Unit Aircraft Type Code Wkr.No. Notes
10 Apr 1942 2(F)./122 Ju 88D F6+NK 0186 Failed to return from recce sortie south of Crete, 100%, 4 MIA - Ofw. Otto Lange (F), Lt. Leuchner (B), Obgfr. Kurt Helm (Bf) and Gefr. Herbert Kügler (Bs). M

3(F)./122 Ju 88 F6+GL flew from Montdidier to Amiens/Glisy at 09.10, the flight took 7 minutes.[9]

1.(F)/122 aircraft were to perform post raid photo reconnaissance of Malta at 08.30 hrs on 11 Apr for the targets attacked on 10 Apr unless they had been photographed during the evening reconnaissance sortie of 10 Apr. Aircraft from 1.(F)/122 were also to perform post raid reconnaissance following attacks on 11 Apr – these sorties to depart at 13.10 hrs and 18.00 hrs.[10]

Fl.K.II orders for 11 Apr 1942, issued on 10 Apr 1942 at 21.30 hrs included a requirement for Aufklgr 122 and 1.(F)/122 to provide aircraft for convoy escort purposes, as follows:-

Escort I was for the steamers Amsterdam and Guilia, 2 torpedo boats and a destroyer sailing from Trapani at 22.00 hrs on this day and expected to dock at Tripoli at 09.00 hrs on 12 Apr. The aerial escort was each day to be: (a) From 06.15 – 09.15 hrs 2 aircraft from I./NJG 2 and 2 from Aufklgr 122; (b) from 09.00 – 17.15 hrs 2 aircraft from Aufklgr 122 and 2 from III./ZG 26 and (c) from 17.00 – 20.00 hrs 2 aircraft from Aufklgr 122 and 2 from I./NJG 2.

These orders were later amended to include 4 aircraft from III./ZG 26 from 06.15 – 20.00 hrs, 2 of which were to carry bombs.[11]

Escort II was for the steamer Rondine and a torpedo boat sailing from Taranto to Patras. They were due to depart Taranto at 15.00 hrs on 11 Apr. The aerial escort was to consist of (a) from 15.00 – 18.00 hrs 2 aircraft from III./ZG 26 and (b) from 17.45 – 20.00 hrs 2 aircraft from 1.(F)/122.[12] This was later amended to just be for 2 aircraft from Aufklgr 122 between 15.00 and 20.00 hrs.[13]

11 Apr 1942 – F6+GL must have returned to Montdidier from Amiens as it departed here at 11.25 hrs for a “bildflug” lasting until 14.33 hrs.[14]

Fl.K.II orders for 12 Apr issued on 11 Apr. included 1.(F)/122 performing post raid reconnaissance of Malta together with photo reconnaissance of La Valetta.[15]

12 Apr 1942 - Fl.K.II orders for 13 Apr issued on 12 Apr at 19.15 hrs were as follows for 1.(F)/122 : Weather surveillance from dawn (first report by 08.00 hrs.) and post raid reconnaissance following the attacks made by KG 54, KG 77, II./LG 1, III./St. G. 3 on La Valetta and airfields on Malta.[16]

In addition orders issued at 20.00 hrs were for Aufklgr 122 was to provide anti-submarine escort for a merchant ship and torpedo boat departing Naples on 13 Apr for Tripoli. 2 aircraft were required from 06.15 to 20.00 hrs. III./ZG 26 also provided 2 Bf 110s and a Do 17 between 06.15 and 17.00 hrs.[17]

13 Apr 1942 – Ju 88 F6+EL, “bildflug” from Montdidier at 10.49 hrs returning at 13.22 hrs.[18]

F6+BL of 3.(F)/122 flew the early morning sortie to the east coast of England, the aircraft took off at 04.23 hrs Z and was “in area” between 05.05 and 06.55 hrs Z. The area covered encompassed the Thames Estuary as far north as Middlesborough. At 06.20 hrs Z the crew reported the sighting of convoy FN 80 in Pl. Qu. 16 W 1560; the aircraft was believed to have been sighted from the convoy FS 75 8 miles NNE of Hartlepool at 06.42 hrs Z and the crew reported the sighting of a single ship in Pl. Qu. 15 W 1534 at 06.55 hrs Z. The aircraft landed at Schiphol.[19]

A freighter and escort were to leave Brindisi and Messina for Bengasi and Aufkl. Gr. 122 were instructed to provide anti-submarine patrol/escort from 13.00 hrs until evening in the area encompassed by 36º – 39º N and 17º – 19º 30’ E. The focus was to be on the ships route and the unit was to provide 3 aircraft.[20]

Operational orders for 1.(F)/122, for the next day, were for 3 aircraft to provide photo reconnaissance of La Valetta, weather surveillance and post raid reconnaissance of Malta.[21]

Fl.K.II orders for 14 Apr 1942 were that 3 aircraft from 1.(F)/122 weather reconnaissance, photo reconnaissance of La Valetta and post raid reconnaissance of Malta.[22]

14 Apr 1942 – Ju 88 (F6+AL) of 3.(F)/122 departed at 04.03 hrs Z for a sortie to the English East Coast (Colne Point to Whitby), at 04.50 hrs Z it reported 5 vessels off Colne Point, at 05.00 hrs Z it was sighted by convoy FN 82 east of Harwich, sighted by convoy FS 75 east of Orfordness at 05.15 hrs Z and reported sighting two vessels off Whitby at 07.05 hrs Z. The aircraft landed at 09.12 hrs Z.[23]

15 Apr 1942 – Ju 88 F6+HL, of 3.(F)/122, combat sortie departing Montdidier 06.24 hrs returning 09.30 hrs.[24] This was believed to be the early morning sortie to the English east coast.[25]

16 Apr 1942 – A Ju 88 of 3.(F)/122 (F6+AL) flew the early morning sortie to the English east coast and may have flown as far north as Sunderland. Sunderland had been raided the night before where the Germans claimed extensive damage, especially in the dock area. The aircraft had departed Montidier at 04.25 hrs Z. 30 miles east of Cromer, at 05.45 hrs Z, the crew reported sighting a convoy of 5 merchant ships with an escort consisting of a destroyer and two other vessels. At 07.10 hrs Z the crew reported the sighting of the convoy FS 77 off the Yorkshire coast (Pl. Qu. 15 W 15).[26]

Ju 88 (F6+BL) of 3.(F)/122 flew the afternoon east coast sortie as far as The Wash., departing Montidier at 14.17 hrs Z it sighted convoy FS 77 at 15.55 hrs Z (Pl.Qu. 15 W 14) and landed back at Montidier at 16.35 hrs Z.[27]

A further Ju 88 of 3.(F)/122 (F6+LL) took off at 17.44 hrs Z and was believed to be heading for Harwich, it was in the general area at 19.35 hrs Z and when it was in Pl.Qu. 05 E 1222 it started the return journey, landing at 20.20 hrs Z.[28]

17 Apr 1942 – Ju 88 of 3.(F)/122 (F6+BL) flew the early morning east coast sortie towards Flamboro’ Head. This aircraft reported sighting a convoy of 30 ships off Colne Point (possibly FS 77) and was intercepted by Spitfires from Martlesham and was compelled to return to base, landing at Schipol at 06.10 hrs Z.[29]

2 Ju 88s (F6+HL and F6+IL) of 3.(F)/122 operated in the early evening. These were operating prior to the KG 2/KG 40 raid on Southampton that took place overnight. The aircraft from 3.(F)/122 landed at Creil.[30]

19 Apr 1942 - 2 Ju 88s of 5(F)./122 were damaged by bombs during a Soviet air attack on Fp.Gatchina/44 km SW of Leningrad. 5(F)./122 now operated under the control of FAGr.1, effective from around this date.

A Ju 88 of 3.(F)/122 (F6+LL) flew the early morning sortie up the east coast of England as far as Flamboro’ Head. The crew reported sighting isolated ships and landed at Creil at 08.35 hrs Z.[31]

The same Ju 88 (F6+LL) flew the early afternoon sortie to the east coast. It took off at 12.26 hrs Z and landed at 16.47 hrs Z.[32]

20 Apr 1942 – Ju 88 (F6+HL) of 3.(F)/122 flew an early morning sortie that took in Spurn Head to the Tyne. It is believed the primary mission was photo reconnaissance of Newcastle upon Tyne. The aircraft landed back at base at 09.10 hrs Z having not carried out its mission due to 10/10 cloud from ground level to 2000 m.[33]

In addition F6+LL of the same unit was airborne on an early morning sortie, landing at 09.40 hrs.[34]

21 Apr 1942 – F6+IL lof 3.(F)/122 took off from Creil at 04.32 hrs Z for the early morning sortie to the East Coast of England. May have flown as far north as Whitby. It was “in area” between 05.30 and 07.25 hrs Z. At 06.00 hrs Z the crew sighted 4 ships in Pl.Qu. 05 E 14 and at 07.10 hrs Z sighted convoy FN 87 ENE of Spurn Point. The aircraft landed at Schipol and then transferred back to Creil.[35]

Ju 88 F6+LL of 3.(F)/122 operated off East Anglia that morning. Took off from Creil at 08.48 hrs Z landing at 12.09 hrs Z.[36]

3.(F)/122 Ju 88 (F6+FL) took off at 11.21 hrs Z operating off the East Anglia and Lincolnshire coasts. Landed at Schipol at 15.40 hrs Z. Took off again for Creil.[37]

Ju 88 F6+EL of 3.(F)/122 also operated off the East Anglain coast and sighted convoy FS 81 east of Sheringham at 14.35 hrs Z. This aircraft may also have been sighted by a Hudson at 15.29 hrs Z. The Ju 88 landed at Schipol at 15.40 hrs Z and departed from there to Creil.[38]

3.(F)/122 operated afternoon sorties to the outer Thames Estuary – two Ju 88s (F6+AL and F6+CL). The aircraft landed at Schipol at 16.38 and 16.43 hrs Z.[39]

22 Apr 1942 – Ju 88 (F6+LL) of 3.(F)/122 departed Montidier at about 04.30 hrs Z it operated in the area between Colne Point, the Humber and Tynemouth and was “in area” between 05.50 and 07.05 hrs Z. No shipping was sighted. This aircraft encountered a Hudson between 07.35 and 07.40hrs Z at 53.30N 02.50 E.[40]

Ju 88 (F6+AL) of 3.(F)/122 took off from Montidier at 05.57 hrs Z At 06.30 hrs Z this aircraft was called up by ground control and ordered to return immediately and land at Schipol. No shipping was sighted on this curtailed sortie. The aircraft landed at 09.03 hrs Z.[41]

3.(F)/122 sent Ju 88 F6+HL on a photo reconnaissance flight to the Tyneside area (probably Sunderland). The aircraft took off at 11.59 hrs Z and by 13.25 hrs Z was 80 m east of the Humber flying NW towards Tyneside. It briefly crossed the coast at Whitburn (three and a half miles N of Sunderland) at 22,000 ft, turned south over Sunderland and recrossed the coast. The crew reported that the photographs had been secured , but in “inexact” position due to the weather conditions. [42]

Ju 88 F6+CL (3.(F)/122) was up between 12.49 and 15.57 hrs Z and operated in 53.30 – 54.00 N and 02.00 – 03.30 E. Possibly searching for a downed aircraft as the crew reported that it had failed to find the rubber dinghy.[43]


Date Unit Aircraft Type Code Wkr.No. Notes
23 Apr 1942 3(F)./122 Ju 88D-5 4300235 Crashlanding at Fl.Pl.Schipol due to technical problems, 15% damage.[44]
25-26 Apr 1942 3(F)./122 Ju 88D-5 F6+ML 430006 Lost over the North Sea. [45] Fw Josef Glomb, Lt Hans Müller, Ofw. Günther Jäschke and Uffz. Christian Hinsen all MIA [46]

27 Apr 1942 – 1.(F)/122 photographed Gudia aerodrome on Malta (GB/M 10 9) at 17.35 hrs. The Beobachter on this sortie was Hptm. Wolfram Cherubim.[47] This followed an attack on Gudia the previous day, analysis of the reconnaissance photographs confirmed that the taxiways and runways were cratered and approx 29 aircraft claimed destroyed.

Date Unit Aircraft Type Code Wkr.No. Notes
27 Apr 1942 3(F)./122 Ju 88 Brought down by a Spitfire off Lowestoft.[48]5
27 Apr 1942 3(F)./122 Ju 88D-5 F6+HL 430215 Shot down by 610 Sqdn Spitfires into the sea off Yarmouth.[49]

30 Apr 1942 – As a follow up to the heavy raids on Norwich on the preceding days 3(F)./122 sent two Ju 88Ds to overfly the city at 07.18 hrs.[50]

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References

  1. ↑ HW13/98 vie Remi Traconneli.
  2. ↑ RL2-III/1180 – 25.4.42 pg 4 entry 52
  3. ↑ HW13/98 via Remi Traconelli
  4. ↑ HW13/98 via Remi Traconelli
  5. ↑ German Airforce in the Med. Part 2
  6. ↑ TsAMO 500-12452-000437 Luftflotte 4 Zusammenfassung der Aufklärungsergebnisse 6.4.42 – 9.6.42 inc sorties by 4(F)./122, 2(F)./Ob.d.L; I./KG 100 and II./KG 26 p493
  7. ↑ TsAMO 500-12452-000437 Luftflotte 4 Zusammenfassung der Aufklärungsergebnisse 6.4.42 – 9.6.42 inc sorties by 4(F)./122, 2(F)./Ob.d.L; I./KG 100 and II./KG 26 p494
  8. ↑ TsAMO 500-12452-000437 Luftflotte 4 Zusammenfassung der Aufklärungsergebnisse 6.4.42 – 9.6.42 inc sorties by 4(F)./122, 2(F)./Ob.d.L; I./KG 100 and II./KG 26 p494
  9. ↑ Flugbuch of Fuchjohahn via Remi Traconelli.
  10. ↑ RL8/7 Einsatzbefehl für den 11.4.42
  11. ↑ RL8/7 Fl.K.II Einsatz- und Sicherungsbefehle sowie Lageberichte
  12. ↑ RL8/7 Fl.K.II Einsatz- und Sicherungsbefehle sowie Lageberichte
  13. ↑ RL8/7 Fl.K.II Einsatz- und Sicherungsbefehle sowie Lageberichte
  14. ↑ Flugbuch of Fuchjohahn via Remi Traconelli.
  15. ↑ RL8/7 Fl.K.II Einsatz- und Sicherungsbefehle sowie Lageberichte
  16. ↑ RL8/7 Fl.K.II Einsatz- und Sicherungsbefehle sowie Lageberichte
  17. ↑ RL8/7 Fl.K.II Einsatz- und Sicherungsbefehle sowie Lageberichte
  18. ↑ Flugbuch of Fuchjohahn via Remi Traconelli.
  19. ↑ HW13/98 via Remi Traconelli.
  20. ↑ RL8/7 – Sicherungsbefehl f1r den13.4.42
  21. ↑ RL8/7 – Einsaztbefehl für den 14.4.42
  22. ↑ RL8/7 Fl.K.II Einsatz- und Sicherungsbefehle sowie Lageberichte
  23. ↑ HW13/98 Salu 448 via Remi Traconelli
  24. ↑ Flugbuch of Fuchjohahn via Remi Traconelli.
  25. ↑ HW13/98 Salu 450 (West) via Remi Traconelli
  26. ↑ HW13/98 Salu 450 (West) via Remi Traconelli
  27. ↑ HW13/98 Salu 450 (West) via Remi Traconelli
  28. ↑ HW13/98 Salu 450 (West) via Remi Traconelli
  29. ↑ HW13/98 Salu 451 (West) via Remi Traconelli
  30. ↑ HW13/99 SALU 451 (west) via Remi Traconelli
  31. ↑ HW13/99 SALU 453 (west) via Remi Traconelli
  32. ↑ HW13/99 SALU 453 (west) via Remi Traconelli
  33. ↑ HW13/99 SALU 454 (west) via Remi Traconelli
  34. ↑ HW13/99 SALU 454 (west) via Remi Traconelli
  35. ↑ HW13/99 SALU 455 (west) via Remi Traconelli
  36. ↑ HW13/99 SALU 455 (west) via Remi Traconelli
  37. ↑ HW13/99 SALU 455 (west) via Remi Traconelli
  38. ↑ HW13/99 SALU 455 (west) via Remi Traconelli
  39. ↑ HW13/99 SALU 455 (west) via Remi Traconelli
  40. ↑ HW13/99 SALU 456 (west) via Remi Traconelli
  41. ↑ HW13/99 SALU 456 (west) via Remi Traconelli
  42. ↑ HW13/99 SALU 456 (west) via Remi Traconelli
  43. ↑ HW13/99 SALU 456 (west) via Remi Traconelli
  44. ↑ RL2-III/1180 – 25.4.42 pg 5 entry 65
  45. ↑ Ramsey-The Blitz/v.3:109 and 121.
  46. ↑ K Mihail Karpov via e-mail 30/09/05
  47. ↑ RL 7-2/192 pg 51
  48. ↑ 5 Ramsey-The Blitz/v.3:109 and 121.
  49. ↑ Bowyer – Air Raid p231
  50. ↑ Bowyer – Air Raid p227
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