Last victim of Cpt. Constantin Cantacuzino found

On February 25, 1945, Cpt. rez. av. Constantin 'Bâzu' Cantacuzino of Grupul 9 vânatoare (9th F.G.) shot down a Fw 190F around Vígl'as village, in Slovakia. It turned out to be his last victory claim of the war. The incident was mentioned in my books on the Royal Rumanian Air Force (ARR).

Several weeks ago, the wrecks of Fw 190F-8, W.Nr.584057, of 3./SG, with the remains of the pilot, Gefr. Hermann Heim, along with his parachute and some personal documents were recovered near Zvolenská Slatina village, in Slovakia.

Someone promised photos of the wreck, which I will post here, too.

Lt. Col. Dénes

Denes, how did you know that is the same plane shot down By Bazu. Did you find from german sources Fw 190 Wnr 584057 lost in the same day (February 25, 1945 ) ? The name of the village doesn't sound the same.
If the wreck was found deeper in the ground normally the downfall was from high altitude. As i remember Bazu shot down that Fw 190 at low altitude.
Anyway I am waiting for pictures with this Fw-190 wrecks.

I also know that Bazu and Darjan shoot down a 190 ,who was in a ground attack mission.In Feb .the ground is generaly freezed and not muddy.
But who knows?

Well, we cannot ever be 100% sure that the Fw 190 was actually shot down by Bâzu, unless his business card is found among the wreckage
Seriously, like most of these 'who-shot-down-who' scenarios, there is always an element of speculation. However, a scholarly guess usually helps filling the blanks.

Yes. Here is the loss data given by Luftwaffe documents:

Fw 190F-8, W.Nr. 584057, Heim, Gefr. Hermann, 3./SG 2, gelbe 7, 25-Feb-45, KIA, shot down by enemy fighters, RLV Ost (Lfl. 4), Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #12); Vegles, near Slatina, Bruch 100% F

Rumanian documents [Combat Diary of Corpul Aerian Român] mention the Fw 190 shot down by Bâzu had crashed in Szalatna zone [please note that there were no witnesses who could confirm the 'kill'; therefore, Cantacuzino's victory should be only a probable one].

Now, Végles is the Hungarian name of Vígl'as, while Szalatna is Slatina in Slovak. Therefore, based on the reported crash sites, we can assume that the two cases are coincidental.

Zvolenská Slatina in Hungarian is Nagyszalatna. If you check out the location of the city, for example on Mapquest, you'll see that the two locations (Vigl'as and Zvol. Slatina) are approx. 3 km apart:
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?searc...&submit=Get+Map

I can't recall a detailed description of Bâzu's kill. What is the source?

Lt. Col. Dénes

This post has been edited by Dénes on November 07, 2004 03:42 am

Dr. Mircea Gradinaru, former physician of the 9th F.G., knows.
According to the book of Mr. Marandiuc, "Inimi...", p. 364, he describes the scene of Adj. stag. av. Traian Dârjan's crash site (located not far away of the presumed crash site of the Fw 190) as follows: "Solul era, asa cum v-am scris, usor mlastinos". (The ground was, as I have already written, slightly swampy, i.e. soft).
This is the closest we can get to the description of the terrain's appearance on Febr. 25, 1945.

Lt. Col. Dénes

At the end of february is wormer.

Hello Denes

I wonder on the source of information you had on the Cantacuzino air kill discovery....please try to find out which Jagdgeschwader was it sucg as 54,52 220 etc I have contact with some of Germany Squadron pilots survivors especially with JG 54 members who flew FW-190D and may have some things confirmed for you
.

Best Regards
Alex

That particular Fw 190F wasn't part of a Jagdgeschwader, but rather a Schlachtgeschwader, more precisely 3./SG 2.

Dénes

I enclose a copy of the actual Luftwaffe loss report related to the Fw 190F of Gefr. Heim (it took a while until I found it).

Several interesting details can be seen.
First, the cause of Gefr. Heim's demise is clearly given as a Rumanian Bf 109 - although reportedly sporting German markings.
Second, the date is given as Febr. 28, not 25, but a few days' delay in recording an event was not uncommon (particularly during the late war period).
Third, the place of crash is given as Saltina, not Slatina, but again a typo made by the Lw bureaucrat, not familiar with non-German names, is perfectly plausible.

Lt. Col. Dénes

This post has been edited by Dénes on November 11, 2004 01:46 am

Attached Image

Hello Denes!!!

Good work! Keep walking this way and maybe you will have the congratiulations medal!

Always yours,
Bm

Dr. Mircea Gradinaru, former physician of the 9th F.G., knows.
According to the book of Mr. Marandiuc, "Inimi...", p. 364, he describes the scene of Adj. stag. av. Traian Dârjan's crash site (located not far away of the presumed crash site of the Fw 190) as follows: "Solul era, asa cum v-am scris, usor mlastinos". (The ground was, as I have already written, slightly swampy, i.e. soft).
This is the closest we can get to the description of the terrain's appearance on Febr. 25, 1945.

Lt. Col. Dénes

This question concern more Traian Darjan, not Hermann Heim, but here I have found info about Darjan Crash site.
Helmut Lipfert writes in his diary, that he shot down romanian plane at 24.02., but it seems he is mistaken and he did it 25.02.1945. I think it is confirmed by book of Cornel Marandiuc.
Does exist translation of book of Mr. Marandiuc "Inimi cit sa cuprinda cerul patriei" to English or Russian or German language? We woud like to confirm or to overcome place of crash site of Mr. Darjan.
One man told me, that soldiers, which took out body of pilot after crushing, were able to take out only part of his body. Weather really was there at that period above zero, even snow still was lying. Crash site seems to be near of small stream on little meadow, where pilot planed belly landing. But after he lost control, plane falled down under sharp angle. So it could be deep enough.
Is it possible to find more details about the event in other books? If yes, please advise. Thanks in advance.
Fekiac

This post has been edited by fekiac on May 02, 2007 03:49 pm

Yes it is true.
From the same book of Marandiuc ( Dr.Gradinaru Mircea memories):

" ... Pe Darjan, prins in carlinga, nu am putut sa-l scot decat utilizand bisturiul ( de la genunchi in sus)..."
"... Darjan was blocked in the cockpit and I had to use the surgical knife ( cuting up from knees) to take him out... "

This post has been edited by Cantacuzino on May 06, 2007 05:52 am

Dr.Gradinaru Mircea memories:

" ....Avionul doborat a lui Darjan era cu botul in pamant in unghi de cca 30-35 grade si nu era pe bot de deal ( care era mai la stanga si pe care era situat satul)..."
" ...Darjan's plane was found with front side (engine) burried at 30-35 degree angle and was not on the hill ( the hill with the village was on the left side)..."

From the book " Zburatorii Grupului Serbanescu" ( authors Tudor Nicola and Ion Marin)

The place of Darjan crash was near Dubrava village and Cantacuzino belly landed his plane NW of Detva.

From the same book pictures with Darjan religios ceremony at Lucenek airfield ( before sent back in the country).




This post has been edited by Cantacuzino on May 06, 2007 09:49 am

No, there is no other language translation of Marandiuc book.
Marandiuc had the original memories and crash place drawings from Dr Mircea Gradinariu.
The only contact I can give you is the adress from back side of the aviation magazine " Orizont Aviatic" published at Arad by Marandiuc.