Shadow over the Atlantic

Shadow over the Atlantic Page 36

by Robert Forsyth

  14ADI(K) Report No.249/1944.

  15U-boat.net [website], , accessed November 2016; and Blair 1999, p. 497.

  16UK National Archives, HW 13/38: Zip No.1077, 10.2.44.

  17UK National Archives, HW 13/38: Zip No.1081, 14.2.44.

  18Schmidt 1990, Anlage 5, ‘Herbert Littek, Feindflug: Suchen eines Geleitzuges u. Fühlungshalter’ pp. 114–16.

  19Smith and Creek 2008, pp. 121–23; Bollinger 2010, p. 117; and Poolman 1972, p. 116.

  20UK National Archives, HW 13/38: Zip No.1081, 14.2.44.

  21UK National Archives, HW 13/38: Zip No.1083, 16.2.44.

  22Nagel, Flugbuch, 15.2.44.

  23Roskill 2004, Vol. III, p. 253.

  24UK National Archives, HW 13/38: Zip No.1084, 17.2.44.

  25Poolman 1972, p. 116.

  26Kington and Selinger 2006, p. 175.

  27UK National Archives, HW 13/38: Zip No.1085, 18.2.44.

  28Schmidt 1990, Anlage 6, ‘Einsatzbericht des Mj. Augustin – Staffelkpt. 1.FAG5’ pp. 117–18.

  29UK National Archives, HW 13/38: Zip No.1085, 18.2.44.

  30Kössler and Ott 1993, pp. 186–87.

  31A History of HMS Biter [website], , accessed November 2016.

  32Information from Thomas, Andrew, ‘Fatal Encounter’ – 16 February 1944, private draft.

  33UK National Archives, ADM 1/29518.

  34UK National Archives, HW 13/38: Zip No.1085, 18.2.44.

  35UK National Archives, ADM 1/29518.

  36Schmidt 1990, p. 20.

  37UK National Archives, AIR 27/1444.

  38UK National Archives, AIR 15/472.

  39UK National Archives, AIR 27/1444.

  40Air Ministry News Service, News Bulletin No.13, 28.2.44, and page from S/L Wright’s logbook, both available at Ju-290s shot down off Northern Ireland Feb. 1944 [website], , accessed November 2016.

  41UK National Archives, HW 13/38: Zip No.1085, 18.2.44.

  42Schmidt 1990, p. 20.

  43Ibid.

  44Ibid., Anlage 6, ‘Einsatzbericht des Mj. Augustin – Staffelkpt. 1.FAG5’, pp. 117–18.

  45Nagel, Flugbuch, 16.2.44.

  46UK National Archives, HW 13/38: Zip No.1085, 18.2.44.

  47Schmidt 1990, Anlage 6, ‘Einsatzbericht des Mj. Augustin – Staffelkpt. 1.FAG5’, pp. 117–18.

  48Convoy Web [website], , accessed November 2016; and Convoy ON 224 [website], , accessed November 2016. See also Roskill 2004, Vol. III, Map 17.

  49UK National Archives, HW 13/38: Zip No.1086, 19.2.44.

  50Ibid.,

  51Hessler 1989, Vol. III, p. 44.

  52Blair 1999, p. 500.

  53Knirim, Konrad, ‘Navigationsuhren für die deutsche Luftwaffe: Luft-Navigation im Zweiten Weltkrieg – Fern-Aufklärung im Atlantik: Ein Erfahrungsbericht von Hellmut Nagel’, Klassik Uhren, May 2004.

  54ADI(K) Report No. 249/1944.

  55Nagel, H., ‘Astronomical navigation with precision watch and octant on a Ju 290 over the Atlantic Ocean’, Horological Journal, January 2007, available at Navigational timepieces of the Luftwaffe [website], , accessed November 2016.

  56Roskill 2004, Vol. III, p. 252.

  57UK National Archives, AIR 50/66 and AIR 27/1046.

  58ADI(K) Report No. 249/1944.

  59Schmidt 1990, p. 20; and Kössler and Ott 1993, p. 244.

  60Blair 1999, pp. 500–01 and Hessler 1989, Vol. III, p. 56.

  61Hessler 1989, Vol. III, pp. 44–45.

  62Hessler 1989, Vol. III, p. 45; and FdU/BdU War Diary, 16–29 February 1944.

  63Schmidt 1990, p. 19.

  64Ibid., p. 20.

  65Ibid., p. 19.

  66Nagel, Flugbuch, 14.2.44.

  67Roskill 2004, Vol. III, p. 254.

  68Schmidt 1990, p. 23.

  69Ibid., p. 22.

  70Ibid., p. 23.

  71Ibid.

  72Neitzel 1995, p. 215, n. 240.

  CHAPTER TEN

  1UK National Archives, HW 13/38: CX/MSS/OPD 1107, 11.3.44. and others.

  2UK National Archives, HW 13/38: CX/MSS/OPD 1102, 6.3.44 and CX/MSS/OPD 1120, 24.3.44.

  3UK National Archives, HW 13/39.

  4Freeman 1981, p. 194.

  5UK National Archives, HW 13/25 (via Thompson).

  6Schmidt 1990, p. 23.

  7Neitzel 1995, p. 215, n. 240.

  8UK National Archives, HW 13/25 (via Thompson).

  9UK National Archives, AIR 27/153.

  10UK National Archives, AIR 40/555.

  11Roskill 2004, Vol. III, p. 256, 258; and Blair 1999, p. 509.

  12UK National Archives, AIR 40/587.

  13Schmidt 1990, p. 25.

  14Ibid., p. 25.

  15Kössler and Ott 1993, p. 186.

  16See, for example, Flugzeugbestand der Fernaufklärungsgruppe 5 from Bundesarchiv-Militärarchiv RL2/1702 in Kössler and Ott 1993, p. 240.

  17ADI(K) Report No. 249/1944.

  18See variously Nagel, Flugbuch; and UK National Archives, HW 13/39: CX/MSS/OPD 1144, 17.4.44; 1147, 20.4.44 and 1156, 29.4.44.

  19Kössler and Ott 1993, p. 231.

  20Schmidt 1990, p. 26.

  21Schmidt 1990, p. 26; and Kössler and Ott 1993, p. 187.

  22Schmidt 1990, p. 27.

  23Ibid., p. 28.

  24UK National Archives, HW 13/39: CX/MSS/OPD 1176, 19.5.44; 1177, 20.5.44; and 1178, 21.5.44.

  25Nagel, Flugbuch, 19.5.44.

  26SL and SL/MKS Convoy Series [website], , accessed November 2016.

  27Poolman 1972, p. 141.

  28UK National Archives, HW 13/39: CX/MSS/OPD 1181, 24.5.44.

  29Barringer, E.E., Alone on a Wide, Wide Sea: The Story of 835 Naval Air Squadron in the Second World War, Leo Cooper, Barnsley, 1995, p. 98.

  30UK National Archives, HW 20/388.

  31UK National Archives, HW 13/39: CX/MSS/OPD 1182, 25.5.44.

  32UK National Archives, HW 20/388.

  33UK National Archives, HW 13/39: CX/MSS/OPD 1184, 27.5.44; and Barringer 1995, p. 102.

  34The Story of ‘Nicki’: Sea-Hurricane IIc NF 672- (7K) of FAA 804 and 835 Squadrons, Royal Navy as seen by one of her pilots [website], , accessed November 2016. Hereafter referred to as The Story of ‘Nicki’.

  35Kington and Selinger 2006, p. 60.

  36Barringer 1995, p. 97.

  37UK National Archives, HW 13/39: CX/MSS/OPD 1185, 28.5.44.

  38The Story of ‘Nicki’.

  39Barringer 1995, p. 104.

  40Schmidt 1990, p. 28; and Kössler and Ott 1993, p. 244.

  41Kössler and Ott 1993, p. 187.

  42ADI(K) Report No. 249/1944.

  43Schmidt 1990, p. 29.

  44Ibid., ‘Einsatzbericht von Mj. J. Augustin, Staffelkapitän’, 1./FAG 5 p. 125.

  45ADI(K) Reports Nos. 245/1944 and 249/1944.

  46ADI(K) Report No. 249/1944.

  47Barringer 1995, p. 104.

  48ADI(K) Report No. 245/1944.

  49Schmidt 1990, ‘Einsatzbericht von Mj. J. Augustin, Staffelkapitän’, 1./FAG 5 p. 125.

  50Barringer 1995, p. 105.

  51ADI(K) Report No. 245/1944.

  52Barringer 1995, p. 105.

  53UK National Archives, ADM 1/29782.

  54ADI(K) Report No. 249/1944.

  55Information via Juan Carlos Salgado Rodríguez.

  56UK National Archives, AIR 20/7708.

  57Schmidt 1990, p. 31.

  58Ibid.

  59Ibid.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  1UK National Archives, HW 20/388.

  2Schmidt 1990, p. 32.

  3Nagel, Flugbuch.

  4UK National Archives, HW 13/39: CSS/MX/OPD 1194 6.6.44 and UK National Archives, HW 20/388.
r />   5UK National Archives, HW 13/39: CSS/MX/OPD 1195 7.6.44.

  6Kössler and Ott 1993, p. 187.

  7Schmidt 1990, p. 33.

  8UK National Archives, HW 13/39, 23.6.44.

  9Kössler and Ott 1993, p. 189; and Kington and Selinger 2006, p. 175.

  10Krause, Tilo and Fog Jensen, Jens, ‘The Weather War: The German Operation ‘Bassgeiger’ on Shannon Island 1943/44’, Conference Paper from Report from Workshop 2 at the National Museum, Copenhagen, 1 November 2011, Nationalmuseet, 2012, p. 48.

  11Ibid.

  12Kington and Selinger 2006, p. 172.

  13Kössler and Ott 1993, p. 190.

  14Gilbert, Martin, The Second World War, Weidenfeld & Nicolson, London, 1989.

  15Schmidt 1990, p. 36.

  16Ibid., pp. 34–37.

  17Kössler and Ott 1993, p. 244.

  18Schmidt 1990, pp. 37–38.

  19Ibid., p. 39.

  20Nagel, Flugbuch.

  21Bennett and Bennett 2004, p. 178.

  22Schmidt 1990, p. 41.

  23UK National Archives, HW 13/39: CSS/MX/OPD 1222 4.7.44 and HW 28/388.

  24UK National Archives, HW 13/39.

  25OKL, Der Chef des Luftwaffenführungsstabes, Ia Nr. 4532/44, 9.7.44.

  26Schmidt 1990, p. 42.

  27Ibid., p. 42.

  28Kington and Selinger 2006, p. 62.

  29Ibid., p. 175, and see UK National Archives, HW 13/40: CSS/MX/OPD 1254 5.8.44.

  30Kington and Selinger 2006, p. 175.

  31UK National Archives, HW 28/388.

  32Schmidt 1990, Anlage 5, ‘Herbert Littek, Feindflug: Suchen eines Geleitzuges u. Fühlungshalter’, pp. 114–16.

  33Kington and Selinger 2006, p. 177.

  34UK National Archives, HW 13/40: CSS/MX/OPD 1258 9.8.44 and HW 20/388.

  35Schmidt 1990, p. 46.

  36Ibid., pp. 46–47.

  37Ibid.

  38Forsyth, Robert and Creek, Eddie J., Messerschmitt Me 264 Amerika Bomber: The Luftwaffe’s Lost Transatlantic Bomber, Classic Publications, Hersham, 2006, p. 114.

  39Kington and Selinger 2006, p. 177.

  40Nagel, Flugbuch.

  41Kössler and Ott 1993, p. 193.

  42Ultra, HP 156, 21.8.44.

  43Cited in Gould 2005, p. 11.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  1UK National Archives, HW 13/40: CSS/MX/OPD 1267 18.8.44.

  2Kössler and Ott 1993, p. 194.

  3Hellmut Hetz, private recollection to J. Richard Smith, December 1982.

  4Schmidt 1990, p. 54.

  5Nagel, Flugbuch.

  6Schmidt 1990, p. 54.

  7Hellmut Hetz, private recollection to J. Richard Smith, December 1982.

  8Schmidt 1990, p. 55. The rest of the chapter is based mainly on Oskar Schmidt’s account of the journey through France.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  1Schmidt 1990, p. 71.

  2ADI(K) Report No. 398/1945; and Gellermann, Günther W., Moskau ruft Heeresgruppe Mitte – Was nicht im Wehrmachtbericht stand – Die Einsätze des geheimen Kampfgeschwaders 200 im Zweiten Weltkrieg, Bernard & Graefe Verlag, Koblenz, 1988, p. 33, 214.

  3ADI(K) Report No. 398/1945; and Gellermann 1988, p. 34.

  4Ultra XL 2423, 17.7.44 (via Wadman).

  5Schmidt 1990, Anlage 14, ‘Zusammenarbeit der FAG.5 mit dem KG.200’, pp. 136–39; and Kössler and Ott 1993, p. 209.

  6Stapfer, Hans-Heiri, Strangers in a Strange Land, Squadron/Signal Publications, Carrollton, 1988, p. 60.

  7Kössler and Ott 1993, p. 209.

  8Gellermann 1988, pp. 75–76.

  9Kössler and Ott 1993, p. 209.

  10Gellermann 1988, p. 76.

  11Lucas, James, Kommando: German Special Forces of World War Two, Arms and Armour Press, London, 1985, p. 194.

  12Kahn, David, Hitler’s Spies: German Military Intelligence in World War II, Hodder and Stoughton, London, 1978, p. 286.

  13Gellermann 1988, p. 78.

  14Ibid., p. 77.

  15Kössler and Ott 1993, p. 210.

  16Schmidt 1990, Anlage 12, ‘Bericht von Hptm. Georg Eckl über das von ihm geführte Kommando (FAG 5) in Offingen und Einsatz im Rahmen des KG 200’.

  17Correspondence between J.R. Smith and Erich Sommer, 1997 (via Smith).

  18Messerschmitt A.G., Augsburg: Erprobungsbericht Nr. 6 17.4.–17.5.44.

  19UK National Archives, AIR 40/2168.

  20Griehl, ‘Das “Bananaenflugzeug”’’ [article], 1996.

  21Schmidt 1990, p. 72.

  22Ibid., pp. 74-77.

  23Kössler and Ott 1993, p. 211.

  24Schmidt 1990, p. 127.

  25Kössler and Ott 1993, p. 195.

  26Oberkommando der Luftwaffe, Chef des Generalstabes (Air Force High Command, Chief of the General staff) Gen.Qu.2.Abt. (IIB) Az.11b16 Nr.14 549/44 g.Kdos. dated 27 November 1944.

  27Aktenvermark (memo) from the Chef TLR to Major Fischer, Kommandeur of FAG 5, dated 14 November 1944.

  28Chef TLR document 46782/44 g.kdos. (Transcript of a conference with the Reichsmarschall on 12 December 1944), dated 28 December 1944.

  29General der Aufklärungsflieger Nr.338/45 geh, Abgrenzung der Aufgaben FAG 5 und Sonderkommando Nebel (General of the Reconnaissance Nr.338/45 geh: Demarcation of the boundaries between FAG 5 and Sonderkommando Nebel), dated 16 January 1945.

  30General der Aufklärungsflieger, Nr.338/45, 16.1.45.

  31Smith, J. Richard and Creek, Eddie J., Dornier Do 335 Pfeil: The Luftwaffe’s Fastest Piston-Engine Fighter, Classic Publications, Hersham, 2006, p. 98.

  32OKL, Chef der TLR Nr. 46442/44, 4. Dez. 1944.

  33General der Aufklärungsflieger, Nr.338/45, 16.1.45.

  34Schmidt 1990, p. 77.

  35War diary of the TLR, covering the period 8–14 January 1945.

  36Ibid., covering the period 22–28 January 1945.

  37Ibid., covering the period 16 March to 4 April 1945.

  38Lw. Organisationsstab Genst.Gen. 2 Abt., 12.2.45.

  39Gellermann 1988, pp. 99–100; and Kössler and Ott 1993, p. 211.

  40Schmidt 1990, p. 78.

  41Ibid.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  1Smith, J. Richard and Creek, Eddie J., with Dachner, Hans-Georg, Arado Ar 234 A, Classic Publications, Hersham, 2006, p. 74.

  2Smith, J. Richard and and Creek, Eddie J., Arado 234 Blitz, Monogram Aviation Publications, Sturbridge, 1992, pp. 210–11.

  3Schmidt 1990, p. 80.

  4Hellmut Hetz, private recollection to J. Richard Smith, December 1982.

  5Schmidt 1990, p. 79.

  6Ibid., p. 82.

  7Ibid., p. 84.

  8Fernaufklärungsgruppe 1 [website], , accessed November 2016; see also Dierich, Wolfgang, Die Verbände der Luftwaffe 1935–1945, Verlag Heinz Nickel, Zweibrücken, 1993; Rosch, Barry, Luftwaffe Codes, Markings & Units 1939–1945, Schiffer Publishing, Atglen, 1995; and Wadman et al. 1997.

  9Schmidt 1990, Anlage 15, ‘Bericht Major Josef Augustin über Vorkommando der 1.FAG1 (vorher 1.FAG5) in Norwegen und anschliessender Gefangenschaft’, p. 140.

  10Ibid., p. 85.

  11UK National Archives, AIR 20/7708.

  12Schmidt 1990, p. 86.

  13Ibid., Anlage 15, ‘Bericht Major Josef Augustin über Vorkommando der 1.FAG1 (vorher 1.FAG5) in Norwegen und anschliessender Gefangenschaft’, p. 140.

  14Hellmut Hetz, private recollection to J. Richard Smith, December 1982; and Hetz, Flugbuch, extracts 1944–1945.

  15UK National Archives, AIR 20/7708 and OKL KTB, 26.2.45.

  16The Arado Ar 234 in Norway and Denmark: 1945 [website], , accessed November 2016. Hereafter referred to as The Arado Ar 234 in Norway and Denmark: 1945.

  17Ibid.

  18Blair 1999, pp. 666–68.

  19The Arado Ar 234 in Norway and Denmark: 1945.

  20Hellmut Hetz, private recollection to J. Richard Smith, December 1982.

  21The Arado Ar 234 in Norway and Denmark: 194
5; and Luftwaffenkommando West Morning & Evening Situation Reports, Nr.0927/45, 24 March 1945 (AHB.6 translation).

  22Hessler 1989, p. 97.

  23Ruud, Frithjof, Arado 234 B-2, Profiles in Norway No. 5, Andebu, 2005, p. 7.

  24Hellmut Hetz, private recollection to J. Richard Smith, December 1982; and Hetz, Flugbuch.

  25UK National Archives, AIR 20/7708.

  26OKL Fü.St.Nr.040/45, 21.2.45. See also UK National Archives, DEFE5/BT8507, 27.3.45.

  27Schmidt 1990, p. 87.

  28Studie: Kampf gegen die russische Rüstungsindustrie, Ia.Nr.8865/43, 9 November 1943 (Intelligence Div. W.D.G.S., War Dept. Washington D.C., Special Document Section Report Number 125, 21 February 1947: Plan for an Attack on the Russian Armament Industry).

  29OKL.Fü.St.Nr.18436/44, 22.11.44.

  30Kr-g.Kdos.Chefs.-m.Anschr.Uberm., 6.11.44 (via Kitchens).

  31UK National Archives, AIR 40/2423.

  32Chef der Generalstabes d.Lw. Nr.10564/45, 18.1.45 and Chef der Generalstabes d.Lw. Nr.10552/45, 23.1.45 (via Kitchens).

  33OKL, Ia., Nr. 10514/44, 10.1.45.

  34Schmidt 1990, p. 88.

  35Kössler and Ott 1993, p. 197.

  36UK National Archives, DEFE5/BT8507.

  37Kössler and Ott 1993, p. 199.

  38Ibid., p. 245

  39OKL.Fü.St.Nr.10708/45, 12.4.45.

  40OKL.Fü.St.Nr.10709/45, 12.4.45.

  41UK National Archives, AIR 40/2423.

  42Fleischer, Wolfgang, German Air-Dropped Weapons to 1945, Midland Publishing, Hinckley, 2004, pp. 117–18; and UK National Archives, AIR 40/2423.

  43Ultra decrypts KO1289 10.4.45 and KO756 11.4.45 (via Norton).

  44Das Oberkommando der Luftwaffe Kriegstagbuch (1 Februar–7 April 1945) 6.4.45. p. 4: NARS Microfilm T-321, Roll 10.

  45Schmidt 1990, Anlage 12, ‘Bericht von Hptm. Georg Eckl über das von ihm geführte Kommando (FAG.5) in Offingen und Einsatz in Rahmen KG 200’.

  46Ibid., p. 89.

  47Ibid., p. 90.

  48Ibid., p. 91.

  49Ibid., p. 92.

  50Kössler and Ott 1993, p. 245.

  51Schmidt 1990, Anlage 13, ‘Bericht nach den Angaben des Oberfeldwebels Kroll (Fl.-Schütze 1.FAG5) über den Abschuss einer Ju 290 durch wahrscheinlich eigene Flakabwehr’.

  52Kössler and Ott 1993, p. 199.

  53Ghost Bombers [website], , accessed November 2016.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  1Schmidt 1990, Anlage 12, ‘Bericht von Hptm. Georg Eckl über das von ihm geführte Kommando (FAG.5) in Offingen und Einsatz in Rahmen KG 200’.

  2The material from this chapter is based on information contained in Schmidt’s account unless otherwise noted.

 

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