The Me 262 in service with KG 51: February–March 1945 (page 4)

170003

Reported to II./KG 51 on 20 March 1945 as among aircraft taking between 14.09 and 16.13 hrs. flown by a ferry pilot.

To JV 44 in April 1945.

170004

IM

II./KG 51

Me 262 A-1

With Feldwerft Staffel 9/70 on 19 October 1944.

On 21 February 1945, suffered 30% damage (owing to tyre damage) during an operational flight.

Reported at 05.00 hrs. on 10 March that this aircraft cannot be repaired owing to a lack of spare parts (wing, jet units, nose tips).

170010

5./KG 51

Reported by 5./KG 51 that on 21 March 1945 this aircraft made a belly landing at Papenburg.

Its pilot, Uffz. Heidmann, was uninjured and was in Münster-Handorf on the 22nd. At 11.00 hrs. that day Oblt. Walter (TO) asked 5./KG 51 to report the missing details regarding 170010’s belly-landing as soon as they were received

Reported off strength by 5./KG 51 (return of 1–10 March): 10% damage owing to “tactical error”, with the Repair Workshop Platoon at Rheine.

170063

Reported at Hesepe during March 1945 (exact date illegible in National Archives file).

170076

III./KG 76 reported on 10 March 1945 that in accordance with General der Kampfflieger Order QM/A No. 30402, of 25 January 1945, WNr. 170076 was to be handed over to IV./EKG 1 and that 7./KG 76 would report whether and when handing over had been effected.

170091

I./KG 51

Me 262 A-2

45% damaged on 19 February 1945: emergency landing at Lingen due to fuel shortage (non-operational flight).

Mentioned in deciphered signal on 5 March.

170092

BN

Both power units missing, 20 February 1945.

170105

Reported to 2./Fl.ÜG (Süd) Erding on 19 February 1945 that this aircraft had been handed over to the workshop in Hopsten that day as its nose wheel had bent in during landing.

On the afternoon of 6 March 1945, Uffz. Hever reported to II./KG 51 that this aicraft could not be taken over by 5./KG 51 since it lacked wings, a nose section and jets.

170109

Me 262 A-1

Reported by Fliegerhorst Kommandantur A 19/XI, Werft Abteilung, that this aircraft was among those damaged when Achmer was bombed on 21 March 1945.

This was a reserve aircraft held by the Director General of Supply. It had been received from Kommando Nowotny on 23 October. Probable date for the completion of repairs was 1 April.

170284

Me 262 A-2

Reported serviceable to I./KG 51 in strength return of 17.00 hrs. on 21 February 1945. Among six aircraft due to take off from Giebelstadt for Essen-Mülheim and Hopsten that day but prevented by fighter bomber attacks.

Reported serviceable by Restkommando Giebelstadt at 08.15 hrs. on 11 March.

80% damaged on 13 March during a non-operational flight. Belly landed at Lüdinghausen owing to fuel shortage. With II./KG 51 at time of crash.

170312

I./KG 51

Me 262 A-1

15% damaged on 19 February 1945 during a non-operational flight: taxi accident at Rhein-Main aerodrome.

At 11.45 hrs. on 10 March, I./KG 51 asked Hptm. Bauer to where 170312 was to be ferried if it was serviceable.

500004

5./KG 51

Reported off strength of 5./KG 51 in the return for 1–10 March 1945. 10% damaged and returned to Workshop Hopsten, as repairs would take longer than anticipated.

500006

II./KG 51

To be taken over by II./KG 51 on 24 January 1945.

Reported unserviceable at 15.15 hrs. on 14 March: problems with undercarriage door cylinder and front annular container.

500045

5./KG 51

Reported off strength in 5./KG 51’s return for 1–10 March 1945: 5% damage from technical failure, Repair Workshop, Mülheim.

500051

At 17.30 hrs. on 29 March 1945, Adjutant orders Ltn. Batel that 500051 is to be cannibalised. He is to ensure that the parts are ferried over to Fassberg.

500070

LL

On strength 20 February 1945 and serviceable at Giebelstadt in strength return at 17.00 hrs. on 21st.

Obpfr. Plattner reported LL serviceable in a strength return at 23.45 hrs on 19 March.

To JV 44 in April 1945.

continued on next page…