Pilot badge document for a later JG26 Jabo-pilot

[Laurens Q-fin]

Last week, I received my first LW award document related to the pilot badge. As I have yet to find more background information, this document immediately caught my attention as Otto-August Backhaus later served with Jagdgeschwader 26. My hometown is also not far from past bases such as Wevelghem (B), Moorsele (B), St.Omer-Wizernes (F), Lille-Vendeville (F)...
What I found, starts at February 17, 1943 when 10.(Jabo)/JG26 was redesignated 10.(Jabo)/JG54. Not much later, April 9 to be precisely, Lt. Backhaus was involved in a raid on England. After one of his comrades' Fw-190 went down, and refueling in Wizernes, the group returns to search for the lost pilot. But they were intercepted by Spitfires and Typhoons. Lt. Otto-August Backhaus was shot down around 19.15 near Boulogne (F)... One sources refers to a Spitfire from 611Sqn, another source mentions norwegian Kapt. Erik Håbjørn in a Typhoon from 609Sqn.
Unfortunately, it seems there are no other documents available and so it stays with this lone item. Off course, that doesn't make it less interesting

Laurens

[Hank C.]

NIce doc, and interesting bit of research!

best
Hank

[Laurens Q-fin]

...and interesting bit of research...

Thanks for the reply, Hank!
I never settle for anything less regarding research

Laurens

[Andy F-P]

Laurens,
Interesting document.

I don't have my books with me. Was he killed in this action on 9th April 1943?
Regards,
Andy

[Laurens Q-fin]

Hello Andy,

Indeed, Lt. Backhaus was killed April 9, 1943 during the action described above. I expected to find his grave in Bourdon (F) as that's where most fallen pilots are buried (at least around Northern France). But when I consult the Volksbund website, I find his name on a cemetery in Wilhelmshaven. What's more, the date is not the same either as the date listed there is 26.06.1943. But Donald Caldwell specifically writes in the JG26 War Diary that Lt. Backhaus was killed April 9, 1943...
There were three other German victims that day, including the pilot they were looking for. They claimed one Typhoon shot down, but it was in fact a Spitfire and still able to reach England with moderate damage...
If someone can add more information regarding Lt. Backhaus, from any kind, don't hesitate to drop a line here or send a PM.

Thanks,
Laurens

[Andy F-P]

Laurens,
Have you access to a copy of the Tip and run raid book by Chris Goss? There is quite a bit about Backhaus in this publication and also two or three photo's of him. Highly recommended.
Best regards,
Andy

[Laurens Q-fin]

Andy,

Thank you very much for adding that kind of information! I was not aware of that book but will try to find a copy. I just googled it and Lt. Backhaus is indeed mentioned a few times. I wonder if his actions from 09.04.1943 are described in detail. As a sidenote, Caldwell writes that this was the last day for such operations (Jabo). Losses were too high and eventually, the unit moved to Italy.

Kind regards,
Laurens

[Andrew Arthy]

Hi Laurens,

The Chris Goss book has quite a bit of information about the loss of Lt. Otto-August Backhaus, including the 10./J.G. 54 loss report (in February 1943 10./J.G. 26 had been re-designated 10./J.G. 54), along with the combat report of the pilot probably responsible for shooting him down, F/Lt. Erik Haabjoern of 609 Squadron.

The 10./J.G. 54 loss report, from page 228 of Goss' book, reads as follows:

"During the air sea rescue operation looking for a pilot who had ditched in the Channel, the Rotte was attacked by enemy fighters several times. The last attack was carried out from behind by two enemy aircraft. Our aircraft lost sight of each other in the haze 20 kms north of Cap Gris Nez and Lt. Otto-August Backhaus has been missing since then."

10./J.G. 54 was soon to be incorporated into IV./S.K.G. 10, and flew more operations against England - by day and night - before moving to the Mediterranean in mid-June 1943.

Cheers,
Andrew A.

[Laurens Q-fin]

Andrew,

Thank you for your input. I'm highly interested in the opponent from Lt. Backhaus. Kapt. Håbjørn is possible, but he could also be the one who shot down Uffz Karl Heck (the pilot that was lost initially). At least that is how D.Caldwell describes it in his book:

Backhaus > Spitfire from 611Sqn
Heck > Typhoon 609Sqn

Kind regards,
Laurens