Re: Oblt Einsiedel executed 1942
 

Looks like they weren't brothers after all, as Heinrich was the jungest of three siblings, the other two were his sister Gisela and brother Gisbert ( source: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinric..._von_Einsiedel ).

Although I have little knowledge of the workings of nobility and hereditary titles, it would strike me as illogical that two Graefen Von Einsiedel would not be related.

But I have been wrong once in this matter, so I won't press my case again!!!

Here are some famous Einsiedels, perhaps our subject was related to one of the latter ones: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Einsiedel_(Adelsgeschlecht)

:)

Re: Oblt Einsiedel executed 1942
 

Heinrich Graf von Einsiedel was indeed a descendant of Bismarck, was an ace with JG 3 and was captured by the Russians, whereupon he became a member of the "Nationalkommitee Freies Deutschland", and wrote pamphlets which were dropped over German lines. After the war he showed up at a reunion of fighter pilots and was received with great hostility.

Re: Oblt Einsiedel executed 1942
 

I have in my possesion a photo-copy of a entire book that has a detailed listing of all the German nobility KIA/MIA in WWII (I checked it out from a university library and just had to have it:-)). Its quite interesting to read. The appropriate listing for this unfortunate gentleman has the following listing:

"Einsiedel,Johan-Georg Graf, v., Berlin. 23.3.1907,X,(von einer FernaufKlaerungs Gruppe Über dem Nordatlantik nicht zÜ zurÜckgekehrt) 22.5.1942, Leutnant der Luftwaffe,auf Haldenau,Kreis Ebenrode, Ostprs"

My schlecte translation

"Einsiedel, Johan-Georg, von, 23.3.1907 (did not return from a mission over the North Altlantic with a long distance reconnaisance group ) 22.5.1942.


Was he trying to desert and for this he was shot? More fuel to the fire

Re: Oblt Einsiedel executed 1942
 

BTW, there are 11 von Einsiedels listed as MIA/KIA in WWII

Here are some examples

Hans von Einsiedel-KIA-11.6.40-Oblt-Panzerjaeger Abtl.
Hildebrandt von Einsiedel - BrÜder de vorg.-KIA-16-7-44-Reiter Reg.
Alexander v. E. , KIA-17.9.43-Sturmgeschutz Abtl.
Detlev v. E. -19.10.1939-Warcahu

The book lists all nobility KIA/MIA including active duty soldiers, civilians, women ,children, adults. Its is quite a nice reference work.

Re: Oblt Einsiedel executed 1942
 

Moomraker's post has Georg Einsiedel as shot Paris area on 22-5-42 and the book Kaki3152 quotes has him missing over the Atlantic on the same date. Looking in the QM's returns there appears to be no aircraft loss with him on board in the period, and the book 'Easter bunnies 'has shot for cowardice in the face of the enemy', rather than desertion. I suppose the enemy could be in air combat or on the ground against partisans. Is it known if he was aircrew or not. On 3-5-42 a Ju88D-5 of 3(F)/123 crashlanded at Lannion with combat damage, could Einsiedel have been in such an incident and then denounced by a fellow crewman for lack of fighting spirit. When I read Easter Bunnies apart from the captioned photo the situation was not enlarged on in the text. I believe there is a German version of the book does this contain more info.

Re: Oblt Einsiedel executed 1942
 

Brian,

Now I know that he belonged to 3 (F)/123 and was mentioned in the book the "Easter Bunnies". You did not state this information before and since I don't have the book in question, did not make the connection.

In view of the fact he was shot and his grave site is known, I tend to agree with you that he may have "shown lack of fighting spirit" and paid the ultimate penalty.

It may be necessary to post this question in one of the German Luftwaffe Websites as someone with more information may have the necessary facts.

Carlos

Re: Oblt Einsiedel executed 1942
 

Hello Carlos,

That was my first post on this (Brian Bines) the Thread was started by another Brian. The book Easter Bunnies has a photo of a parade of Luftwaffe Airmen and is captioned ' Execution of Oblt. Einsiedl at Morlaix '. I beleive the original book in German was called 'Eiserne Dritte', but do not know if it clarifies the reason for the fate of this unfortunate airman,

Regards

Brian Bines

Re: Oblt Einsiedel executed 1942
 

Hello Gentleman,

i was flying over the time-periode in question, but nothing to read about Oblt. Einsiedel in the german edition of "easter bunnies" neither.
There´s even no picture of the execution like in the english one.

Schoene Gruesze

Norbert

Re: Oblt Einsiedel executed 1942
 

Maybe if the author is still alive he would be able to provide more information? I've also thought about posting this on a German Website?

Re: Oblt Einsiedel executed 1942
 

Hi Kaki

Please do. Perhaps there were others, also?

Cheers

Brian (the other one!)