1941-06-18 Ju88D-2

1941-06-18, Ju88D-2 0825 3.(F)/122, Ofw. L.Volk, Haringvliet (Hellevoetsluis - Rockanje)

Crash

On 18 June 41 this Ju-88 with crew Lt Behrens, Ofw Volk, Fw Schmidt and Uffz Lentfert was on a "Tarnüberwachung" near Rotterdam. The plane was attacked by mistake by a Me 109 and crash landed in Haringvliet near Hellevoetsluis/Rockanje (Holland). Entire crew bailed out and were all safe.

The following photos show the Ju-88A (F6+EL) of 3(F)./122 being recovered from the sea. These images also appeared in the book “Aufklarer” by Dave Wadman published by Hikoki.

http://www.luftwaffedata.co.uk/wiki/index.php?title=Aufkl._Gr._122_Jun_1941#column-one

German losses:

Crew

Behrens, Hans Joachim Oblt 1909 3(F)/122

Ju 88A "F6 + EL" (damaged/recovered)

Observer Operational Clasp Behrens and his crew bailed safely from this AC on 18 June, 1941. It had been attacked by a Bf 109 near Rotterdam during a camoflage monitoring flight, and crashed in shallow water at Haringvliet, near Hellevoetslius/Rockanje Holland. The AC was recovered by a Luftwaffe Recovery team. Remaining crew: Ofw Volk, Fw Schmidt and Uffz Lentfert.

Volk & Lentfert will go MIA 9 December, 1941 with Lt. Böhme. Served from August, 1939. Wiki Luft data.

Volk, Ludwig Ofw 3(F)/122 (6/40)

Ju 88D-2 Werk # 0825 (lost 6/18/41 DeSwart)

Ju 88D-1 Werk # 1465 "F6 + CL" (lost 12/41)

Observer Operational Clasp KIA 9 December, 1941 after aerial combat with a Hurricane believed to be from RAF No. 43 Sq., piloted by F/Lt Geoffrey May, off Newcastle. After repeated attacks by the Hurricane, the Ju 88 dove steeply into the sea. Remaining crew (all KIA): Lt Fritz Böhme, Observer, Ofw Fritz Shackert, wireless operator and Fw Walter Lentfert, mechanic.

Volk crashed Wk# 0825 at Haringvliet Holland (Hellevoetslius/Rockanje) on 18 June, 1941, cause and crew disposition unknown (DeSwart).

Volk piloted an He 111H Werk # 5575 "F6 + NL" which made a forced landing at Gäddede Sweden on 3 June, 1940 due to a combination of bad weather and a navigational error. Remaining crew: civilian inspector Arthur Klanke, Oblt Louis Ferdinand Wentz and Uffz Otto Schmidt. The AC was returned to Germany, and he too, obviously returned, ironically to die in December, 1941 (B.Widfeldt).

Earlier mention of a crash involving this pilot:

He111 Wnr 5575 F6+NL force landed Sweden June 3 1940

In 1940 3(F)./122 were operating out of Munster.

http://www.luftwaffedata.co.uk

The information comes from "The Luftwaffe in Sweden 1939-1945" by Bo Widfeldt. The area is listed as Gaddede northwest of Frostviken, crew listed as Olt. Louis Ferdinand Wentz, Uffz. Otto Schmidt, Uffz. Ludvig Volk and Inspector Arthur Klanke. It made a wheels up force landing and according to the notes it was returned to Germany. Inspector Arthur Klanke was the met man on board a Ju88 Wekusta 2 which force landed in Ireland in Dec 1941 and is reported as very confidently stating to the Irish Military that as he had been interned in Sweden and escaped after five weeks he could do the same in Ireland! It did not work out that way for him and so he "stayed" for the duration.

The following details come from p340 of Chris Shores' "Fledgling Eagles" and is recorded under 2/06/40.

"Following this hectic aerial fighting, mist and low cloud put an end to most Luftwaffe bombing attacks during the next few days. Despite this bad weather, an He 111 of 1(F)./122 attempted a reconnaissance over Vestfjord and Narvik, but was obliged to force land near the Lofotens when it ran out of fuel. Lt Günter Wentz and his crew were rescued unhurt by a German ASR aircraft. To the south....."

Also in the personnel listing for 3(F)./122 you will find an Oblt Louis Ferdinand Wentz - b. 1913 served Aug 1939 to Jul 1940! Also listed is an Oberfw L Volk - MIA 9 Dec 1941 (source Blitz TaN)

Mission

The Ju-88 had been attacked by a Bf 109 near Rotterdam during a camouflage monitoring flight, and crashed in shallow water of the Haringvliet, near Hellevoetslius/Rockanje Holland.

Aufklärungsgruppe 122 was a longrange reconnaisance group based in Holland flyinig from Soesterberg and Schiphol in the summer of 1941 (see below 'Unit' ). It flew mostly long range reconnaissance mission over the Noth Sea and the UK. Such missions took up to 8 hours and the planes ofthen carried additional fueltanks in increase range.

Plane

The Junkers Ju-88D.

The Ju88D series were specialised long-range reconnaissance aircraft, generally similar to the Ju88A.

The following particulars relate to the Ju88D,

No dive-brakes equipment was fitted, and two cameras with heating installation were mounted in the rear fusalage, fuel could be carried in both front and rear bomb compartments.

The armament for a typical Ju88D consisted of one MG 131, two MG 81 and a MG 81Z.

Normal Flying Weight : 26,500lbs (12,030kg).

Performance : Maximum speed 300mp/h (480km/h) at 17,500ft (5,340m).

Service ceiling : at mean weight 27,000ft (8,235m).

Range with maximum fuel 2,200 miles (3,520 km).

Summary of variants.

Ju88D-0: Based on the A-4 with extra fuel capacity in place of forward bomb bay and no dive-brakes.

Used for Reconnaissance.

Ju88D-1: Proposed variant with Junkers Jumo 211J-1 or 211J-2 engines.

Ju88D-2: Reconnaissance equivalent of A-5 wiht Junkers Jumo 211B-1 or 211H-1 engines.

Ju88D-3/Trop: Tropical version of the D-1.

Ju88D-4: Redesignated Ju88D-2/Trop.

Ju88D-5: Three camera versian of D-2.

Junkers Ju 88

The Ju 88 began it's service for the Luftwaffe in 1939 and was in use until the end. Built total of metall, it was fast nimble and very popular. It could be used as diving bomber and as medium sized horizontal-bomber. The Ju 88 saw service during all campaigns in 1939 and 1940, in the battle of Britain, on the Balkan, in the mediterranian sea and at the East-front.

The basic bomber version was the Ju 88 A (including maritime sub-series), the fast Ju 88S reached a top speed of 615 km/h.

Series: A,B,C,D,E,F,R,G,H,P,S,T,V

e.g.type:

Ju 88 A-1

Ju 88 A-4

Ju 88 A-5

Ju 88 A-15

Ju 88 B-0

Ju 88 C-6

Ju 88 R-2

Ju 88 G-1

Ju 88 G-6

Ju 88 H-1

Ju 88 P-1

Ju 88 P-4

Ju 88 T-1

Use:

Bomber

Reconnaissance plane

Destroyer

Night fighter

Reconnaissance plane

Ju88 A-4 conversion with 7,5 cm-anti tank gun

Ju88 A-4 conversion with 50 mm canone

Reconnaissance plane

Datea for the: Ju 88 A-4

Length:

Width:

Height:

Crew:

Motor:

Power:

Vmax:

Range:

Ceiling:

Armament:

14,36 m

20,08 m

5,07 m

Jumo 211 J

2 x 1410 PS

440 km/h

2500 km

8500 m

5 x MG81

up to 3.600 kg bombs-weight

Camouflage examples

Ju 88 C-6; IV./NJG 5

Ju 88 T-1; 2.(F)/123

Ju 88 D-1; 2.(F)/123

Ju 88 G-6; 4./NJG 4

source: http://www.9thflottilla.de/9ju88.htm

Unit

Aufklärungsgruppe 122

3.(F)/122:

Formed 1.4.36 in Prenzlau. On 1.10.37 redesignated 3./Aufkl.Gr.22.

Reformed 1.11.38 in Goslar.

Known bases:

Prenzlau, 1.4.36 - 1.10.37

Goslar, 1.11.38 - 8.39

Woisselsdorf, 8.39 - 9.39

Münster-Loddenheide, 10.39 - 5.40

Amsterdam-Schiphol, 7.40 - 6.42

Creil, 6.42 - 10.42

Amsterdam-Schiphol, 10.42 - 7.43

Istres, 7.43 - 12.43

Amsterdam-Schiphol, 12.43 - 2.44

Soesterberg, 2.44 - 10.9.44

Quakenbrück, 10.9.44 - 5.45

andere site geeft de volgende basis:

Formed 1.4.36 in Prenzlau. On 1.10.37 redesignated 3./Aufkl.Gr.22.

Reformed 1.11.38 in Goslar.

Bases:

Aufkl. Gr. 122 Jun 1941

From Luftwaffedata

Jun 1941 - The Luftwaffe Order of Battle recorded the following:-

1(F)./122 under the control of Fleigerkorps X in the Mediterranean with a mixed stock of Ju 88 and Bf 110 aircraft – 10 on strength of which 9 were servicable.

2(F)./122 under Luftflotte 4 with a mixed stock of Ju 88 and Bf 110 aircraft – 12 on strength of which 8 were servicable.

3(F)./122 under Luftflotte 2 with a mixed stock of Ju 88 and Bf 110 aircraft – 11 on strength of which 6 were servicable.

4(F)./122 also under Luftflotte 4 with a mixed stock of Ju 88 and Bf 110 aircraft – 9 on strength of which 5 were servicable. (transferred from Brussels-Evere to Rzeszow (Reichshof)/S Poland and reassigned to Luftflotte 4 in early June.^[1])

5(F)./122 under Luftflotte 1 with 9 Ju 88 on strength of which 8 were servicable.

FAGr. = Fernaufklärungsgruppe - Strategic (long range) Reconnaissance

3.(F)/122 would be the 3rd long range reconnaissance staffel of aufklärungsgruppe 122

Long range night reconnaissance units were designated like 2.(F)/Nacht

Aufklärungsgruppe 122

1. Lebenslauf:

Aufgestellt am 1. November 1938 in Goslar aus dem Stab der Aufklärungsgruppe 27. Zu den vier bei der Mobilmachung vorhandenen F-Staffeln kam 1939 noch eine 5. Staffel und 19454 eine 6. Staffel aus der Wetter-Erkundungsstaffel 26.

2. Einsatz

Stab

1939 unter Luftflotte 2, Führung der Luftaufklärung über Nordsee, dem Kanal und England. 1940 im Westen bei Luftflotte 2, Führung der Aufklärungs-Verbände (Holland, Belgien u. Nordfrankreich) und Schlacht um England. 1941 Russland bei Luftflotte 2 im Mittelabschnitt. Spätherbst 1941 - 1945 beim OB Süd, sp. Kommandierender General der Luftwaffe in Italien. Einsatz der Luftaufklärung über dem Mittelmeer, Nordafrika und Süditalien. Am 26.03.1945 in Bergamo.

1. (F)/122

1939 Aufklärung über die Nordsee, Kanal und England (Do 17). 1940 Besetzung von Dänemark und Norwegen, Aufklärung für X. Flieger-Korps. Anschließend Aufklärung über der Nordsee, Nordatlantik und Nordengland sowie bei der Luftschlacht um England (Ju 88 u. Me 110).

Dezember 1940 Verlegung nach Italien, Aufklärung für X. Flieger-Korps über Nordafrika und dem Mittelmeer bis Ende 1944 (Ju 88). Am 26.03.1945 zur Umrüstung in Neuruppin bei FAG 2.

2. (F)/122

1939 Aufklärung über Nordsee, Kanal und England (Do 17, sp. He 111). 1940 (Westfeldzug) Aufklärung für Luftflotte 2 über Holland, Belgien, Frankreich und in der Schlacht um England (Ju 88 u. Me 110). 1941 Rußland für Luftflotte 2 im Mittelabschnitt (Ju 88). Ende 1941 mit Gruppe 122 nach Italien. Aufklärung über Nordafrika, Mittelmeer und Süditalien bis Kriegsende. 26.03.1945 bei Aufklärungs-Gruppe 122 in Bergamo.

3. (F)/122

1939 (Polenfeldzug) Aufklärung für Luftflotte 4 über Südpolen (Do 17). Später im Verband der Gr. 122 über Nordsee, Kanal und England. 1940 (Westfeldzug) für Luftflotte 2 über Holland, Belgien und Frankreich sowie Schlacht um England (He 111, Ju 88 u. Me 110). 1941/42 (Russland) Aufklärung für Luftflotte 2 im Mittelabschnitt (Ju 88). 1943 bei Luftflotte 3 im Westen (Ju 88 und Me 109). 1944 auf Ju 188 umgerüstet. Am 26.03.1945 bei FAG 1 in Quakenbrück.

4. (F)/122

Aufgestellt im September 1939 (Do 17, sp. He 111). Aufklärung für Luftflotte 2 über Nordsee, Kanal und England. (Ab 03.1940 auf Ju 88). Im Westfeldzug Aufklärung für Luftflotte 2 über Holland, Belgien und Nordfrankreich und bei der Schlacht um England (Ju 88 u. Me 110). 1941 Balkan und ab 22.06.1941 bis 1944 für Luftflotte 4 im Südabschnitt der Ostfront (Ju 99, sp. Me 109). Verlegung nach Italien. Am 26.03.1945 bei der Aufklärungs-Gruppe122 in Bergamo.

5. (F)/122

Aufgestellt im Oktober 1939 (He 111). Aufklärung über Nordsee, Kanal und England bei Aufklärungs-Gruppe 122.

1940 bei Luftflotte 3, I. Flieger-Korps im Westfeldzug Aufklärung über Belgien, Frankreich und in der Schlacht um England (Ju 88 u. Me 110). 1941 Russland, Aufklärung im Nordabschnitt für I. Flieger-Korps (Ju 88). 1942 bis 1944 bei FAG 1 im Nordabschnitt. 1945 wahrscheinlich zur Umrüstung verlegt. Am 26.03.1945 bei FAG 2 in Neuruppin.

6. (F)/122

Aufgestellt im Juni 1944 in Italien (Ju 88). Einsatz bei Aufklärungs-Gruppe 122 über dem Mittelmeer und Süditalien. Am 26.03.1945 in Bergamo.

Photo showing the Aufklärungs-Gruppe after the invasion of Polen in 1939.

3. Gruppenkommandeure:

Major Werner Kreipe, 1. September 1939

Major Günther Heinze, 5. Dezember 1939

Oberst Fritz Koehler, 20. März 1941

Oberst Roman Schneider, September 1942

Major Helmuth Orlowski, 22. März 1943

Hauptmann Friedrich Hopsspe, März 1943

Hauptmann Heinz Maetzel, 1944