The Me 262 in service: October/November 1944

CX/MSS/R. 342 (C)

On 17/10 [1944] Luftgau V, IA Op. 1, issued a circular reporting the following a/c as missing:

1)

Me 262, 9K+LL, Works Number 170013, pilot Obltn. Gärtner, belonging to Detachment Edelweiss, took off on 19/9 from Rheine to operate in the Liège area.

2)

Me 262, 9 +TL, Works Number 170040, pilot Ltn. Weidemann, belonging to Detachment Edelweiss, took off on 8/9 from Rheine to operate in the Hasselt area.

News to be sent to Luftgau VI, IA.

NOTE: Presumably 9K+TL intended.

Report dated 17/10:

Subject losses from 1 to 15/10.

On 5/10 Hptm. Buttmann with 9K+BL missing. No further results from search.

Uffz. Franke with 9K+PL missing. According to additional reports, at emergency dropping place Nordhorn, owing to rupture of fuel induction pipe and burning through of left wing tube-star, he crashed and was killed.

On 13/10 Uffz. Delatowski with 9K+FL missing. According to enemy reports of the 13/10, he was shot down in the Arnhem area by a Spitfire. According to a letter of 13/10 the pilot is slightly wounded, and in wounded collecting point at Zutphen.

NOTES:

1)

Markings are those of 3./KG 51.

2)

9K+FL missing from attack on Eindhoven on 13/10 (MSS/T. 337/15)

3)

Losses on 5/10 in MSS/T. 331/21.

CX/MSS/R. 343 (A)

Technical strength return of 19/10, stamped 1730 hours [GMT]:

+

4 (4)

WNr. 130182 and 170004 to Field Workshop Staffel 9/70.

A-2

6 (4)

WNr. 170(digit illegible)08 to Field Workshop Staffel 9/70.

NOTES:

1)

Source believes this was sent from Einsatzkdo. Schenk (KG 51) to Battle Unit Hallensleben.

2)

+ should be type of a/c. A-1 presumably forgotten.

CX/MSS/R.371 (C)

AMC [Aircraft Movement Control] Lechfeld to KG 51, Signals Officer, Landsberg-Lech on 16/11:

Departed on 16/10

BB, AB.

Departed on 15/10

AK, MK, FK, FB, LK, KK, EK, OK, DK.

Departed on 20/10

PK.

Departed on 21/10

SK.

NOTES: K is marking of 2nd Staffel; B is marking of I Gruppenstab.

From Workshop Det. (static) 19/XI, Achmer, addressed to Luftgau XI QM Engineer IB, Sub-station 2441 (177), dated 14/11:

1)

Det. Nowotny.

2)

SA 1/110480.

3)

Date in: 14/11.

4)

Date of beginning of work: 15/11.

5)

Estimated date of completion of repairs: undetermined tracking.

6)

Repairs to be carried out: re-equipping.

CX/MSS/R. 372 (A)

From Workshop Abteilung Achmer, Führungszug addressed to Luftflotte Reich, Chief QM., Chief Engineer, Berlin and Luftgau XI Luftgau Engineer, dated 14/11:

Subject: aircraft (plural) of the Chief QM reserve.

A)

Me 262 A-1 110490

B)

Jumo 004

C)

10/11

D)

Det. Nowotny

E)

Undetermined, replacement parts are being obtained.

CX/MSS/R. 375 (A)

Uffz. Clemens, 9K+GH landed away from a/f on 18/11 at 15.48 hrs., at Neubeck. 30% crash damage, pilot uninjured. Request further instruction.

From Workshop Coy. 4/XI, Hesepe, on 13/11:

SILBER [Me 262] A-1 110479 with ORKAN [Jumo 109-004] received 28/10 serviceable on 13/10 without (smudge) flight. Last holder, Kommando Nowotny.

From (strong indications) Detmold to I./KG 51, Rheine, dated 20/11:

Landed at Lippstadt with 9K+KH.

As the a/f has a maximum length of only 900 metres, assistance in take-off is necessary. Fuel tanks empty, until new allocation. Asselmann, Uffz.

CX/MSS/R. 375 (C)

From LN Station Hesepe to Luftgau XI QM/Engineer (smudge) Hamburg-Blankenese dated 13/11.

The unit requests the immediate allocation of: 1 aerial mast a/c No. A181995 for Me 262 works No. 170293, equipment owner: ADIFA [2./JG] 6 (Kommando Nowotny).

NOTE: Kommando Nowotny (derived from III./JG 6) is the only unit connected with that Geschwader which is known to have Me 262s. (Roman) II./JG 6 has been reported by Source as equipped with Fw 190 while (Roman) I./JG 6 equipment is unknown. The reference in this document to Hesepe and to Nowotny are in the present state of knowledge inconsistent with ADIFA 6.