as I usually do with the German and Allied nf aces and crews I send out a friendly Christmas e-mail early......... to P. Spoden and thought I would post here as it seems a natural thing to do.
had asked him if he ever witnessed and could remember how the Schrägwaffen was maintained on his two Ju 88G-6's in late 44-45 and if an access panel or door/hatch on the fusleage was the break through point for the mechanics....

Dear Eric and Kathi,

many thanks and good holidays to you too both. Sorry, its wet over there - we already have snow in the upper hills (taunus) north of Frankfurt. In the 86 now Im careful in skiing, rather prefer "Nordic Walking".

Sorry too, that I can not give you an answer about how our mechanics loaded the rounds. I watched them but dont remember about doors or so. As you know we always had a third crew-member (Me 110) or fourth man (Ju 88) on board who in most cases was a weapon-mechanic (Waffenmeister) and good gunner. They were fine boys and real specialists and very well interested that the pilot got a success. They kept the guns running and checked our a/c careful before take-off, they helped us in the right mixture of ammunition as I told you already once.

If you have more questions, don't hesitate

all the best wishes
Peter