The above Lancaster was lost in the early hours of 31st March 1944 whilst returning from the infamous Nuremburg raid, the navigator was a close family friend Flt Sgt Frank Thompson. We have over the years researched many aspects of him and the raid but have recently been given a lead that the aircraft that shot down the aircraft was from a Luftwaffe Nightfighter Squadron 9/NJG4.
I have tried for some time to find out anything of this unit, 12 O’Clock High website etc but with no response can anyone suggest someone who might be able to assist who perhaps studied these units and this one in particular.
Many thanks
By: Lion Rock - 28th November 2005 at 19:53
Olivier
Very many thanks for your time and effort, this is the most we have gained in this direction of research. It would be interesting to know more about the unit and especially Ltn Hromaduik, did he survive the war for instance? was he regarded as an Ace nightfighter, did his aircraft have the upward firing guns.
Many thanks again
By: NC900 - 28th November 2005 at 12:39
The III/NJG4 (7, 8 and 9./NJG4) was base at Juvincourt at that time and they were equipped with Messerschmitt Bf 110G-4 and Dornier Do 217N.
The Gruppenkommandeure was at that time the Hptm Hans-Karl Kamp, (23.6.43 – 6.12.44) http://www.ww2.dk/air/njagd/njg4.htm
Will try to find more as soon as possible.
Just some more informations about the kill of Ltn. Hromaduik :
31.03.44 Ltn. Hromaduik: i. Zü. Arb 9./NJG 4 4-mot. Flzg. Villers-deux-Eglise: no height 02.52
31.03.44 Ltn. Hromaduik: i. Zü. Arb 9./NJG 4 4-mot. Flzg. Charleville: no height 03.36
31.03.44 Ltn. Hromaduik: i. Zü. Arb 9./NJG 4 Lancaster 3½ km. nordl. Namur: no height 04.16
08.05.44 Ltn. Hromaduik 9./NJG 4 Lancaster £ 30-50 km. S.W. Orléans: 600 m. 00.48
08.06.44 Ltn. Hromaduik 9./NJG 4 4-mot. Flzg. 1.600 m. [Mantes 130˚ Paris]
12.09.44 Ltn. Hromadnik 9./NJG 4 4-mot. Flzg. 2.400 m. [area S. Wittlich] 23.35
Cheers,
Olivier
By: NC900 - 27th November 2005 at 20:04
According to the book “LUFTWAFFE Night Fighter Combat Claim 1939-1945”
only one pilot of the 9./NJG4 (Lt Hromadnik) shot down 3 aircraft that night
31st March 1944.
9/NJG4 / Lt Hromadnik Four engine South Villers deux églises 02.52
(after a quick search I found that on the web:
ND585 106 Sqd P/O Moxey Villiers-Deux-Eglises (Namur) that must be this one!) It seems that the crew of ND585 are buried at Hotton War cemetary (located 58 kilometres south east of Namur)
9/NJG4 / Lt Hromadnik Four engine NW Charleville 03.36
9/NJG4 / Lt Hromadnik Lancaster 3 1/2 Km North Namur 04.16
Ltn HROMADNIK was credited of a total of 6 victories all at night
I hope it can help,
Cheers,
Olivier
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November 27, 2005 at 7:04 pm