Halifax HR859 51 Sqn, lost on 2./3.8.1943

[Dietz]

Hello,
Do anyone have the crew members of halifax HR859.
Thanks

Dietz

[Lyffe]

Dietz, it would help if you could indicate the squadron.

Regards

Brian

[Dietz]

Dietz, it would help if you could indicate the squadron.

Regards

Brian

It was 51 Sqn, Halifax 859 was lost on 2./3.8.1943

Regards
Dietz

[alieneyes]

Hello,

Sgt ER Sklarchuk RCAF
Sgt R Neal
Sgt E Talgam
Sgt AL Morse
Sgt F Jackson
Sgt HRR Guley
Sgt D Griffiths

Dave

[John Williams]

Hi Dietz,

According top Nachtjagd War Diaries they were shot down by Lt Georg K. Fuhrer of 4./NJG3 for his first and only victory. He was later killed in a transit flight on 21/3/44.

Regards,

John.

[Dietz]

Hello Dave,
thanks for the names of the crew.

Hello John,
Do you also know the crash site of Halifax HR859?

Regards,
Dietz

[John Williams]

Hello Dave,
thanks for the names of the crew.

Hello John,
Do you also know the crash site of Halifax HR859?

Regards,
Dietz

Hi Dietz,

Their loss is listed as Sea W Tonder/30 km NW Cruxhaven, 4,600 meters at 03.40. As I am sure you know all the crew are listed on the Runnymede Memorial.

All the best,

John.

[Guy Gibson]

Hi John,
I can see this thread was way back but I have a question. Your research shows Lt G.K Fuhrer as having downed HR859 but I have the name of Maj
Gunther Radusch as the pilot.

[John Williams]

Hi Guy,
My information comes from Theo Boiten latest books on the Nachtjagd Combat Archives.
Cheers,

John.

[COL BRUGGY]

Hello,

Here is what Dr Theo Boiten has to say in his latest volume of "Nachtjagd Combat Archive"*:

2-3 August 1943 HAMBURG.

- prob. 51 Sqn Halifax HR859: hit by 1./schw. Flak 601 (o) and Pers. Battr. (Grossbattr. Hahnoefersand), 2./schw. Flak Abt. 601 (o), 1 & 5./schw. Flak Abt. 607 (o) (Grossbattr. Neuwulmstorf) and 3. & 4./schw. Flak Abt. 601 (o). (Grossbattr. Ruebke), crashed at Hatzte at 02.10 hrs. Note: completely burnt remains of six of crew recovered from crash site at Hatzte and buried at Rotenburg, aircraft and crew remained unidentified after the war, crew re-buried as 'unidentified airmen' at Becklingen (p.51)

Lt. Georg K. Fuehrer's claim was at 03.40, one and a half hours later than the reported loss of HR859 (p.52). Major Guenther Radusch's 2nd claim on 2-3 August, 1943, is reported by Boiten to have come down in the sea at 2.10 hrs (p.51).

Keep in mind that a lot of these claims, are just that, claims. As you can see Theo has a "prob.", against the loss of HR859. We might have to wait until the final volumes of NCA to get something more positive on the loss of HR859.

In the mean time, it would be interesting to see what Rod Mackenzie has to say, if anything, about these claims.

*
Nachtjagd Combat Archive - A Comprehensive operational history of the German night fighter force on all fronts and an analysis of all claims including Flak units against RAF Bomber Command - 1943 - Part Two - 23rd June - 22nd September.
Boiten,Theo.
Walton-on-Thames:Red Kite,2018.
pp.50-5.

Col.