Re: Photos 6-5
 

Eugen,

There are many photos of this aircraft. Details are:
Bf 110 C-1.
Pilot: Major Karl Hammes, Staffelkapitän of 1./ZG 1 (killed)
Bf: Ofw. Walter Steffen (PoW)
Date: 6th September 1939
Hammes was succeeded as Staka of 1./ZG 1 by Oblt Martin Lutz.
Hammes was 43 years old at the time of his death. He had 4 combat victories in WW1 with the rank of Oberleutnant before being wounded in combat which resulted in his being taken off flying duties. After the war he took up a career as an opera singer and reached the top of that profession. He re-enlisted again in the Luftwaffe in June 1937. He was buried alongside his aircraft. Steffen was released from captivity when hostilities ceased.

Re: Photos 6-5
 

THX for reply, John. Very interesting!

Re: Photos 6-5
 

To add some details, Steffens was wounded but recovered and ultimately survived the war. The victor was ppor. (slt) pil. Wiktor Strzembosz of 111 Eskadra Myśliwska (Kościuszko) who left a detailed account of the combat. He was killed in combat over the Channel in 1942. Most Polish sources placed this combat on 5 September.

Re: Photos 6-5
 

Hi Franek,

This is what I base the date on - the original grave site of Hammes.


http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/8285/019he8.jpg

Do you know whether he was re-buried in a cemetery at a later date?

Re: Photos 6-5
 

Otherside of crashed 109: Was this it? A different aircraft

http://home.earthlink.net/%7Eplanepix2/GunStains.jpg

Re: Photos 6-5
 

Hi,

it`s Bf109E-1 white 15 from the 4(J)/186(T) destroyed in June 1940 in Gardemoen.

Robert

Re: Photos 6-5
 

John, I know of the date, just only noted that in several Polish sources the incident is mentioned on 5 September. Why, I have no slightest idea. Nice photo though. Do you know what the inscription is? I cannot decipher it.
Hammes was later reburied on Powązki military cemetery at Warsaw at plot III, row 24, grave 1390. Post war the grave was removed. I cannot say the reasons but as this happened with most if not all WWII German military cemeteries, the decision must have been taken in Moscow. Perhaps they worried that someone will count the graves or will ask about Soviet cemeteries?
Ah, if anyone could provide a close up of a Werknummer...

Re: Photos 6-5
 

Hi Franek,

it runs:

Major der Luftwaffe
Hammes....
fiel im Luftkampf fuer Fuehrer und grosse(?) Deutschland
am
6.9.39

Robert

Re: Photos 6-5
 

THX Robert for the photoes! Much appreciate!

Re: Photos 6-5
 

Hi Steven,
No it was the image below I referred to.

Robert, can this also be a photo from Gardemoen, Norway? The background on the other photo of this 109 looks very "Norwegian" to me.
The background on the photos of "White 12" and "White 5" (Or rather White 15 as you write?) are very similar, The aircraft version, camouflage and numbering fonts as well as the hand writing on the backside indicates they are coming from the same album/person/location.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...e12_Bruchl.jpg