Aufkl. Gr. 122 Jun 1943

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2 Jun 1943 – An aircraft of 5(F)./122 photographed the bridges at Barkowo, east of Lake Lagoda(60.28.15 N/33.08.15 E, Pl.Qu. 36 Ost 31513 target code 41 863).[1]

4(F)./122 flew its 3000th combat sortie on this date.[2]

3 Jun 1943 – 1(F)./122 now operating from Elmas and Ottana/Sardinia.[3]

5(F)./122, operating under Luftflotte 1, despatched an aircraft to photograph the bridges over the Wloja (Vloya) near its confluence with the Wolchoff (Volkhov) opposite Gorodischtsche (Gorodishche). (target codes were SU 41 248, railway bridge) and SU 43 248, road bridge; Pl Q. 36 Ost 20342; 59.38.25 N 32.06.20 E).[4]

Date Unit Aircraft Type Code Wkr.No. Notes
3 Jun 1943 4(F)./122 Ju 88D-1 F6+SM 430405[5] Shot down by a fighter in the Krymskaya-Krasnodar area, 100%, 4 MIA. Uffz Rudolf Riegler (F),Lt Fritz Möllenhoff (B), Uffz Paul Krause (Bf) and Gefr. Martin Bänsch (Bs) [6]

5 Jun 1943 – 1(F)./122 operated a Ju 88 on a morning photo reconnaissance sortie off the North African coast as far as Oran. The crew’s photo reconnaissance task was carried out by 07.20 hrs Z. Two battleships and one aircraft carrier were reported in Mers El Kebir harbour. It was intended for the Luftwaffe to attack these vessels on 6 Jun 1943.[7]

Date Unit Aircraft Type Code Wkr.No. Notes
6 Jun 1943 4(F)./122 Ju 88D-5 F6+NM 430042[8] Failed to return from a sortie over Poti on the Black Sea coast, 100% – Lt Alfons Baar (B), Lt Alfred Molik (F), Fw Helmut Freund (Bf) and Fw Otto Hoier (Bs) all MIA.[9]

7 Jun 1943 -A Ju 88 (possibly F6+OH), from 1(F)./122, departed Decimo at 08.05 hrs Z for a photo reconnaissance sortie to Gibraltar. The outbound route was Decimo-Balearics – Cape Palos – Gibraltar. The photo reconnaissance of Gibraltar was completed at 12.50 hrs Z. There were no ships sighted en route. On the return leg the crew diverted to Montpellier due to lack of fuel, landing there at 16.10 hrs Z. They refuelled and made to onward flight back to Decimo. Landing at Decimo took place at 18.55 hrs Z.[10]

A Ju 88 from 2(F)./122 took off at 03.30 hrs Z probably for a photo reconnaissance flight covering the Algiers – Oran area.[11]

Two pairs of Bf 109s operated by 1(F)./122 flew sorties to Bone. Both sorties were incomplete, one certainly due to auxiliary tank failure.[12]

12 June 43 - 3(F)./122 sent out Ofw.Von Zabiensky, Oblt. Blankenhahn, Fw. Lampmann and Obfw.l Tonne in Ju 88 F6+BL taking off from Schiphol at 22.29 hours. They were tasked with convoy reconn. off the East Coast of England. The Ju 88 was attacked by a Beaufighter and crashlanded off the Dutch Coast. Oblt Blankenhahn and Fw.Lampmann were wounded and taken to hospital. The Beaufighter was crewed by F/O J N Howard-Williams and F/O JA Quinton of 604 Squadron. They flew Beaufighter Mk VIf (V8748). As the JU 88 did not return to her homebase, it was not suitable for the 2000. Feindflug. The official 2000. Feindflug was three days later (15 June 43). As Oblt Blankenhahn and Fw Lampmann were injured they were replaced for 15 June 1943 sortie by Fw Knörtz and Oblt Salecker.[13]

3Staffel 122 web copy.jpg

The crew of a Ju 88 from 1(F)./122 was tasked with reconnaissance of the off-shore area between Algiers and Cape Bougarone. This task was broken off due to engine trouble.[14]

A further Ju 88 from 1(F)./122 then flew a replacement sortie departing at 15.00 hrs Z and returning at 19.20 hrs Z. However, despite an exhaustive search nothing was seen.[15]

5(F)./122 photographed the airfield Chwoinaja I located northeast of the town and railyard of the same name (34.33.00E/58.54.15N) – the airfield (target code SU 10 2759) has two unpaved landing areas one of 1800m and the other of 1450m length.[16]

Date Unit Aircraft Type Code Wkr.No. Notes
12/13 Jun 1943 3(F)./122 Ju 88D-1 F6+BL 1479 Shot down by Beaufighter of 604 Sqdn see above for detail. (original entry - No further information available.[17])

13 June 1943 – 5(F)./122 photographed the railway halt and bridges at Dymi (target Code SU 40 18031, Pl.Qu. 36 Ost 30454, 59.35.20N 33 46.10 E).[18])

5(F)./122 also photographed the railway station at Gorjatino (Goryatino) (target code SU 40 20015, Pl.Qu.36 Ost 20812, 59.14.50 N 32.37.20 E)[19])

An aircraft of 4.(F)/122 photographed the airfields at Krosnodar I and II from 7,000 m. (Krosnodar I – Ziel Nr 10 648, 45.05 N/38.57 E; Krosnodar II – Ziel Nr 10 412, 45.03 N/38.57 E; Pl.Qu. 34 8689).[20]

14 June 1943 – an aircraft from 4.(F)/122 photographed the airfield known as Krosnodar III at 06.45 hrs. (Ziel Nr. 10 647, 45.02 N/39.04 E, Pl.Qu. 34 Ost 96 773).[21]

14-15 Jun 1943 – 2(F)./122 planned to operate an ASV equipped He 111 on a night reconnaissance to the west. The expected departure was 20.00 hrs Z with an ETA of 04.10 hrs Z.[22]

15 June 1943 – 3(F)./122 official 2000th Feindflug took place on this day – the crew involved were:- Ofw.Von Zabiensky, Obfw.l Tonne, Fw Knörtz and Oblt Salecker.

Date Unit Aircraft Type Code Wkr.No. Notes
15 Jun 1943 2(F)./122 Ju 88D-1 F6+EK 430742 Failed to return from a recce to Tripoli, 100%, Lt Hermann Metz & three crew MIA. [23]
15 Jun 1943 2(F)./122 Ju 88D-1 F6+GK 1321 Failed to return from recce to Malta, 100%. Suspected engine failure.Oblt. Heinrich Fennel (observer), Lt Josef Träger and Fw Michael Feiersinger all MIA.[24]

15-16 Jun 1943 – 2(F)./122 received orders for the following sorties: - (a) 1 ASV aircraft on a sea reconnaissance W. to 7º E, main effort sea areas off Bizerta. (b) 1 ASV aircraft to operate a sea reconnaissance to the south, main effort Pantelleria – Lampedusa.

In response 2(F)./122 sent out a He 111 (ASV) at 21.00 hrs Z on a reconnaissance to the west. In addition a Ju 88 (ASV) from the same unit also departed at this time on a reconnaissance to the south. The He 111 landed at about 03.40 hrs Z.[25] At 23.45 hrs Z the Ju 88 crew reported 2 ships in Pl. Qu. 13 E 3754 on a course of 130º. In Pl. Qu. 13 E 1739 this crew also reported sighting 17 motor vessels on a course of 80º.[26]

16 Jun 1943 – 3(F)./122 celebrated the 2000th Feindflug at Schipol.

3 F 122 2000th Sortie Celebrations.JPG[27]


2000-655-06.jpg[28]

Mid Jun 1943 – 2(F)./122 was selected to operationally evaluate the Arado Ar 240, one of which arrived at Frosinone from Germany around mid-June (Werknummer 002 or 003). On 12 July the Arado was flown to Villacidro/Sardinia from where it was to be used to fly reconnaissance over Bizerta/Tunisia. Immediately after this flight it was destroyed in a landing accident at Frosinone.[29]

17 Jun 43: Stab./122 reported being established at Frosinone. Stab(F)./122 had no aircraft available while 2(F)./122 had 4 Ju 88s ofwhich 1 was serviceable and 2 Me 410s with none serviceable[30]

Date Unit Aircraft Type Code Wkr.No. Notes
17 Jun 1943 4(F)./122 Ju 88D-1 F6+MM Failed to return from a mission to the Krymskaya-Armavir-Tikhoretsk-Krasnodar area, 100%,4 MIA.

19 Jun 1943 – 1(F)./122 despatched a sortie to the Algerian Coast between Cap Bougaron and Oran. The aircraft took off at 03.40 hrs Z, ground control was heard trying to call the aircraft between 07.08 and 08.26 hrs Z to no avail.[31]

Another 1(F)./122 Ju 88 was heard broadcasting between 08.38 and 09.27 hrs Z - this aircraft had been sent out to pick up an eastbound convoy.[32]

A further Ju 88 from 1(F)./122 was out in the afternoon, presumably looking for the eastbound convoy.[33]

Date Unit Aircraft Type Code Wkr.No. Notes
19 Jun 1943 1(F)./122 Ju 88D-1trop F6+JH 430117 Failed to return from a sortie and is believed to have been shot down by a fighter, 100%. 4 crew including Lt Walter Decker all MIA.[34]

20 Jun 1943 – orders were (a) reconnaissance of approaching convoy (b) early morning reconnaissance of sea area W and SW of Sardinia as far as 04 Ost 50 – 03 Ost 59 and off shore from 03 Ost 387 – 687.[35]

1(F)./122 Ju 88 (F6+CH) departed for its sortie at approx 03.40 hrs Z returning at 08.45 hrs Z performing a reconnaissance of the sea area west of Sardinia and also of the north African coast between Algiers and Bougaron – no sightings.[36]

23 Jun 1943 – An ASV equiped He 111 from 2(F)./122 departed about 20.30 hrs Z for a sortie to the west, landing again at 04.30 hrs Z.[37]

24 Jun 1943 - 1(F)./122 was relieved at Ottana by 3(F)./33 and transferred to Montpellier/South France on this date for rest and refit.[38] The last elements of 1.(F)/122 departed Sardinia about 10 days later.[39]

Date Unit Aircraft Type Code Wkr.No. Notes
24 Jun 1943 2(F)./122 Me 410A-1 F6+XE 0157 Shot down by a Spitfire from 111 Sqdn fighter after a chase south of Cape Passero, 100%, Oblt. Ulrich Nauck (F) and Uffz Willi Weber (Bf) both killed.[40]

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References

  1. ↑ http://www.wwii-photos-maps.com/targetrussia/citynamesbeginningb/citynames-bak-bar/slides/Barkowo%20%20068.html
  2. ↑ AufklGr 122\4_F_122 photo of board
  3. ↑ LdZ - ULTRA ML3556 and ML3900.
  4. ↑ http://www.wwii-photos-maps.com/targetrussia/citynamesbeginningg/citynames-gele-gust/slides/Glashewo%20%20010.html
  5. ↑ Luftwaffe Quartermaster Generals loss returns 8 Jun 1943 – Sheet 8 – entry no 127
  6. ↑ Luftwaffe Quartermaster Generals loss returns and posting by Ed North on the LEMB (26/05/08) also posting by Andy Fletcher on Luftwaffedata Forum 26/05/08 confirming Möllenhoff as a member of 4(F)./122
  7. ↑ HW13/111 via Andrew Arthy
  8. ↑ Matti Salonen 122 personnel extract from database 03/01/18
  9. ↑ Matti Salonen 122 personnel extract from database 03/01/18
  10. ↑ HW13/111 via Andrew Arthy
  11. ↑ HW13/111 via Andrew Arthy
  12. ↑ HW13/111 via Andrew Arthy
  13. ↑ Rob van den Nieuwendijk by e-mail 23/06/04
  14. ↑ HW13/111 via Andrew Arthy
  15. ↑ HW13/111 via Andrew Arthy
  16. ↑ http://www.wwii-photos-maps.com/targetrussia/citynamesbeginningc/citynames-carn-czyz/slides/Chwoinaja%20I%20%20052.html
  17. ↑ Nauta, Hans – Posting to TOCH 12/9/03 requesting confirmation of individual code letter (suggested that it was either B or G)
  18. ↑ http://www.wwii-photos-maps.com/targetrussia/citynamesbeginningd/citynames-dabr-dzis/slides/Dymi%20%20030.html
  19. ↑ http://www.wwii-photos-maps.com/targetrussia/citynamesbeginningg/citynames-gele-gust/slides/Gorjatino%20%20042.html
  20. ↑ NARA image via LdZ
  21. ↑ NARA image via LdZ
  22. ↑ HW13/111 via Andrew Arthy
  23. ↑ Pausey – F122 losses May –Dec 1943 (Wkr Nr and aircraft commander’s name)
  24. ↑ Pausey - F122 losses May –Dec 1943 (Wkr Nr and crew’s names)
  25. ↑ HW13/111 via Andrew Arthy
  26. ↑ HW13/111 via Andrew Arthy
  27. ↑ Image - Roba via Page - http://falkeeins.blogspot.co.uk/
  28. ↑ Image - Collection of the Netherlands Institute for Military History, see https://nimh-beeldbank.defensie.nl/foto-s/detail/9fe6f690-fdc0-7873-847b-ea1ff0db3192/media/94ae3c74-2d78-2080-2ad1-363b69548fa3?mode=detail&view=horizontal&q=Luftwaffe&rows=1&page=1064&fq%5B%5D=search_s_mediatype:%22Foto%27s%22&filterAction.
  29. ↑ LdZ - ULTRA Signals ML7349, ML7362; PRO/London P/W interrogation report ADI(K) 57/44; Defieux; Flugzeug Profile 1/1989 on the Ar 240.
  30. ↑ LdZ - ULTRA ML4595.
  31. ↑ HW 13 111 19-20 June 1943
  32. ↑ HW 13 111 19-20 June 1943
  33. ↑ HW 13 111 19-20 June 1943
  34. ↑ Pausey - F122 losses May –Dec 1943 (Wkr Nr and aircraft commander’s name)
  35. ↑ HW 13 111 19-20 June 1943
  36. ↑ HW 13 111 19-20 June 1943
  37. ↑ HW13/111 via Andrew Arthy
  38. ↑ LdZ - ULTRA ML5186; PRO AIR 40/1995.
  39. ↑ LdZ - PRO/London: 329 Wing “Y” Sigint reports.
  40. ↑ Cull et al – Spitfire Over Sicily p83 also Pausey - F122 losses May –Dec 1943 (Wkr Nr)
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