Hello,
My apologies for writing in English. I seek to understand the missions flown at Anzio in January 1944 by II./KG 40. So far, here is what I have
23 January: 7 aircraft depart for bombing mission over Anzio. No confirmed hits. Claims made of a cruiser and destroyer damaged. Hptm Reider's crew claims sinking a 3,050 ton freighter -- not confirmed by Allied sources. At least two aircraft lost:
1: Hpt Kobrink from 4./KG40 -- aircraft unknown: all missing
2: Oblt Paul Dietrich from 4./KG 40 -- F8+AM: 5 POW 1 missing; shot down by two Beaufighters
24 January: 11 aircraft depart for mission over Anzio. No confirmed hits. At least two aircraft lost:
1. Hptm Ebersberger from 5./KG40 -- aircraft unknown: all missing
2. Oblt Fritz Hoppe from 5./KG 40 -- F8+NN: 1 POW 4 missing 2 returned to German lines; shot down by Beaufighter
26 January: some number of aircraft between 7 and 11 depart for mission over Anzio. No hits. Claims are made that a cruiser was hit -- not confirmed by Allies. At least three, and possibly up to six, aircraft lost:
1: Lt Siegfried Bonacker from 6./KG 40 -- aircraft unknown: all killed; engine failure
2: Comamnder unknown from 5./KG 40 -- aircraft unknown: 3 missing 3 returned; set afire by night fighter and crased 10km northeast of Anzio
3: Hptm Paul Hofmann from 6./KG 40 -- aircraft unknown: all missing
4: claimed as shot down; specifics unknown -- not confirmed by Luftwaffe sources
5: claimed as shot down; specifics unknown -- not confirmed by Luftwaffe sources
6: claimed as shot down; specifics unknown -- not confirmed by Luftwaffe sources
Is this correct. Can anyone provide more information on these missions?
Many thanks
MB
