Lancaster loss 2-3rd August 1943

[FlexiBull]

Where would I find information for German nightfighter kills on the night of 2-3 August 1943.

To be a little more specific, Lt Hermann Leube of 2./NJG3 might be the pilot that shot down a Lancaster from 61 Sqn RAF. My uncle was the flight engineer on the Lancaster and until now the family has had no information apart from the fact that he was MIA on a raid to Hamburg.

I have had some luck on another forum where a reference in Chorley has given me his Lancaster no.

Any help or confirmation would be helpful.

[Erich]

Leube possibly shot down Lanc W5000 of 61st squad.

Fw. Ernst Schäfer shot down Lancaster JA 873 of the 61st squad. confirmed, Ernst was from 2./JG Hermann flying a Bf 109G-6.

[FlexiBull]

That's the one Erich W5000 QR-B

I have heard that he reported it as a Stirling. Do you have any more info on Lt Leube?

FlexiBull

[Erich]

I will have to look Flex. am on some terrible meds right now so my brain is on overload .........

[FlexiBull]

Get to bed man .............. when you're feeling up to it.

[jupiter]

Hi http://www.lesbutler.ip3.co.uk/tony/tonywood.htm follow this link where you find luftwaffe combat claims
Night: 2-3. August 1943
R.A.F. Bomber Command: HAMBURG

03.08.43 Maj. Günther Radusch Stab II./NJG 3 Lancaster  UR in See: 5.000 m. [E. Helgoland] 01.22 Film C. 2031/II Anerk: Nr.37
03.08.43 Fw. Krauter 5./NJG 3 4-m. Flgz.  TT-7.9: 1.600 m. 01.42 Film C. 2031/II Anerk: Nr.56
03.08.43 Ofw. Heitmann 2./NJG 3 4-m. Flgz.  AQ-7.2 in See: 50-100 m. 01.55 Film C. 2031/II Anerk: Nr. -
03.08.43 Maj. Günther Radusch Stab II./NJG 3 Halifax  AE-3 in See: 5.500 m. 02.14 Film C. 2031/II Anerk: Nr.38
03.08.43 Oblt. Hermann Greiner 11./NJG 1 Lancaster  BM-9.3a in See: 2.100 m. 03.06 Film C. 2031/II Anerk: Nr.304
03.08.43 Hptm. Hans-Joachim Jabs Stab IV./NJG 1 Halifax  CL-2.9d: 5.500 m. 03.10 Film C. 2031/II Anerk: Nr.45
03.08.43 Ltn. Hermann Leube 2./NJG 3 Stirling  AO-6.7d in See: 4.200 m. 03.28 Film C. 2031/II Anerk: Nr. -
03.08.43 Hptm. Hans-Joachim Jabs Stab IV./NJG 1 Stirling  Dl-2.6h: 2.300 m. [Waddenzee] 03.29 Film C. 2031/II Anerk: Nr.146
03.08.43 Ofw. Karl-Heinz Scherfling 10./NJG 1 Lancaster  EJ-9.5 I See: 5.100 m. 03.33 Film C. 2031/II Anerk: Nr.61
03.08.43 Ltn. Führer 4./NJG 3 vm. Halifax  85RS-7 in See: 4.600 m. 03.40 Film C. 2031/II Anerk: Nr.92
03.08.43 Oblt. Hermann Greiner 11./NJG 1 Wellington  CM-3.8h in See: at 500 m. [off Ameland] 03.48 Film C. 2031/II Anerk: Nr.309
03.08.43 Hptm. Hans-Joachim Jabs Stab IV./NJG 1 Stirling  Raum "Tiger" : at 2.100 m. 03.52 Film C. 2031/II Anerk: Nr.44

Hope this helps
pete

[jupiter]

There were 2 lost from 61 squadron that night.Have you any more details ?
Aircraft number, your uncles name?
Pete

[FlexiBull]

Hi there Jupiter folks are really helpful. I was directed to that webpage by someone on another forum and have also downloaded the Gradnerzt (fighter map reference) for that area and calculating the time and cruise speed it is fairly clear that that plane was on it's way back from the raid.

Lancaster III W5000 QR-B is listed as missing, but as Erich mention it is reckonned that it was

03.08.43 Ltn. Hermann Leube 2./NJG 3 Stirling  AO-6.7d in See: 4.200 m. 03.28 Film C. 2031/II Anerk: Nr. -

that shot down the Lanc

Now I know it says a Stirling, but I think that someone with more access to data than I could imagine has found out that by looking at the Stirling losses for that night the claim maybe wrong and that Leube shot down a Lancaster. It was his first enemy destroyed.

[jupiter]

Lancaster W5000 Information
Type Lancaster
Serial Number W5000
Squadron 61
X1D QR-B
Operation Hamburg
Date 1 2nd August 1943
Date 2 3rd August 1943


Further Information
Serial Range W4761 - W5012 This aircraft was one of 200 Lancasters ordered from Metro-Vick in 1940 and built as 170 Mk.1s (W4761-W4982) with Merlin 20 engines and 30 Mk.111s (W4983-W5012) with Merlin 28 engines from Sep42 to May43. They were delivered to Woodford for final assembly and flight-testing. W5000 was delivered to 61 Squadron 20May43. W5000 took part in the following Key Operations: Dortmund 23/24May43; D_sseldorf 25/26May43; D_sseldorf 11/12Jun43; Oberhausen 14/15Jun43; Cologne 3/4Jul43; Turin 12/13Jul43; Hamburg 24/25Jul43; Hamburg 2/3aug43-Lost. Wen lost this aircraft had a total of 142 hours. W5000 was one of two 61 Squadron Lancasters lost on this operation. See JA873. Airborne 2339 2Aug43 from Syerston. Lost without trace. All are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. F/O R.Lyon KIA Sgt G.A.Hodges KIA F/O E.A.Povey KIA Sgt D.E.Dalton KIA Sgt G.W.Mackenzie KIA Sgt J.P.Badley KIA Sgt B.Robinson KIA


Not the most reliable site but this is from lost bombers

[jupiter]

Nachtjagdgeschwader 3 - NJG 3
This site lists the kill as a Stirling