Date: 28th August 1942
Unit: 1 Staffel./Fernaufklärungsgruppe 123
Type: Messerschmitt Bf 109F-4
Werke/Nr.10188
Coded: White R +
Location: In the sea off Exmouth, Devon, England.
Pilot: Feldwebel. Josef Fischer. 69004/266 - Missing. Born 21.10.1913 in Sonthofen/Allgau.
REASON FOR LOSS:
Extract from personal diary of Willi Quante, 1./(F)123
28.08.1942
For the third time the Me-109 reconnaissance Staffel has suffered a loss. After Thuene, and Grassberger, Fw. Josef Fischer failed to return. It was his 7th combat mission. More details about this loss are not available. Lt. Raucheisen was flying with him and lost track of Fischer over Portland. He did not see him again. The English intelligence reported the downing of a Me-109 that had been cruising over the southern coast for some time. Nothing concerning the fate of the pilot is known. It is a real pity. He was a very good comrade. In his Bavarian manner, Fischer was always spreading good cheer. Perhaps he bailed out; we hope so! The sad situation overshadows the mission successes of the day.
This aircraft was shot down by W/C. K. Mrazek and S/L. F. Dolezal (shared victory)
flying Spitfires of No. 310 (Czech) Squadron, Exeter. During the attack by both pilots, the tail off Fw. Fischer’s Bf 109 became detached, and the aircraft crashed into the sea in a spin from 300 feet, some 6 to 8 miles south of Exmouth, Devon.
Feldwebel. Josef Fischer – Failed to return (Brownless)
Extract from No.310 (Czech) Squadron O.R.B. (Operational Record Book)
Researched and compiled by Melvin Brownless with special thanks to Armin Goebel and Fritz Schlichting for their help in constructing this page, August 2013.
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