Need StaKap info for I./ZG1 during 1939-40
 

Hello,

I have Hptm. Horst Lehrmann as the StaKap of 2./ZG1 during the Western Campaign of May-June of 1940. He achieved two victories during that campaign with that unit, one in May and a second on June 1st.

1) Can anyone confirm that he was the 2 Staffel Kap and what were his dates in that position? Does anyone know a source for photos of him or his aircraft during that period?

2) Does anyone know if Werner Streib was Kap of 2 Staffel, and if so, what were his dates in that position?

3) Can anyone fill in the list of Kap for 1, 2 and 3 Staffel of ZG1 from 1.9.39 through the end of June, 1940, and their dates of service?

4) I'm still trying to obtain a copy of the I./ZG1 KTB that is known to exist from 10.39 through 6.40. Does anyone have a copy of same that they would be willing to share?

Thanx,

Re: Need StaKap info for I./ZG1 during 1939-40
 

Hi Larry,

according to book "Die Deutsche Luftwaffe ZG and NJG Part 1" they were:

1./ZG1:
00.00.39-06.09.39 Maj. Karl Hammes
06.09.39-01.07.40 Olt. Martin Lutz (> Staka 1./Erpr.Gr.210)
2./ZG1:
01.05.39-02.06.40 Hptm. Horst Lehrmann
06.06.40-22.06.40 Olt Werner Streib (> Staka 2./NJG1)
3./ZG1:
01.05.39-02.09.39 Hptm. Wendelin v.Muellenheim-Rehberg
02.09.39-00.06.40 Olt. Walter Ehle (> Staka 3./NJG1)

So your photo could be of 2N+AL.

Regards

Robert

Re: Need StaKap info for I./ZG1 during 1939-40
 

Robert,

Thanx. That pretty well nails it. What do we know about the I Gr Staff officers and their dates of service?

Re: Need StaKap info for I./ZG1 during 1939-40
 

Hi,

stI./ZG1:

01.05.39-19.12.39 Maj. Joachim-Friedrich Huth (> Kdore ZG26)
20.12.39-20.02.40 Hptm. Siebelt Reents
20.02.40-25.06.40 Maj. Wolfgang Falck (> Kdore NJG1) (1 vic while with the group)
During PC:
Lt. Siegfried Wandam Adjutant
Olt. Konrad Martin TO
Olt. Martin Lutz ???
During WC:
Lt Siegfried Wandam Adjutant
Hptm. Ernst Ott (1 vic)

Regards

Robert

Re: Need StaKap info for I./ZG1 during 1939-40
 

May be 2N+AK, as K for 2 Staffel? ;)

Also, in Armand van Ishoven's book "Messerschmitt Bf110 at war", on page 53 Oblt. Viktor Moelders recalls:

" As my StaffelKapitan, Major Hammes, had been shot down by polish fighters, I had taken over the command of Staffel."

Its stange...

Re: Need StaKap info for I./ZG1 during 1939-40
 

Hello,

Thanks Robert and Evgeny,

Does anyone else have any missing details on ZG 1 leadership, including the vague info on Adj, TO, IA positions 1939-40?

Thanx

Re: Need StaKap info for I./ZG1 during 1939-40
 

Here is some relevant data concerning those who held command or staff positions in I./ZG 1 in the 1939/1940 period. Sadly, it is not complete:

EHLE, Walter. 09.39 appt Staka 3./ZG 1. 09.04.40 Oblt., apparent Staka 3./ZG 1 (to c 10.40).
FALCK, Wolfgang. . 01.05.39 Oblt., trf to 2./ZG 76 and appt Staka. 19.02.40 Hptm., appt Kdr. I./ZG 1 (to 18.07.40).
HAMMES, Karl. No apparent association with ZG 1.
HUTH, Joachim-Friedrich. 01.05.39 appt Kdr. I./ZG 1. 14.12.39 appt Kommodore ZG 26 (to 01.11.40).
KADOW, Gerhard. 29.02.40 appt Staka 6./ZG 1. 08.06.40 Oblt. and Staka 6./ZG 1, WIA in combat with Swiss Bf 109s along the Swiss-French border.
KALDRACK, Rolf (“Schlitzohr”). 01.07.39 Oblt., trf from RLM pool to II./ZG 1. 18.12.39 Oblt. in 3./JGr. 103, a/c shot up and damaged by an RAF Wellington and force landed at Westerland/Sylt. 12.39 appt Staka 1./JGr. 101. 01.03.40 appt Staka 4./ZG 1. 24.05.40 Hptm. and Staka 4./ZG 1, WIA. 05.40 appt Kdr. II./ZG 1.
KIENZLE, Walter. 15.05.39 appt Staka 5./ZG 1. 28.09.39 appt Staka 2./JGr. 101.
KÜPPERS, R. 13.05.40 Hptm. and Staka 5./ZG 1, KIA - shot down by AA fire over Vlissingen; crashed by harbor railway station.
LEHRMANN, Horst. 01.05.39 appt Staka 2./ZG 1. 01.04.40 promo to Hptm. – name might be Lehmann ?
MARTIN, Karl. 26.05.40 Oblt. and Techn.Offz. I./ZG 1, KIA - shot down over Calais and crashlanded along road to Gravelines.
MARTIN, Konrad. 01.08.39 Oblt., in I./ZG 1.
MÜLLENHEIM-RECHBERG, Wendelin, Freiherr von. 01.05.39 appt Staka 3./ZG 1. 01.08.39 Hptm., in I./ZG 1.
OTT, Ernst. 29.05.40 Hptm., appt Kdr. I./ZG 2 (to 11.08.40 KIA - in Bf 110 shot down by fighters during attack on Portland naval base/U.K.).
RADUSCH, Günther (“Fips”). 01.11.38 Oblt., appt Staka 6./LG 1 (to c.10.39), then with I./ZG 1. 01.06.40 appt Staka 2./ZG 1. 26.06.40 Hptm., appt Kdr. I./NJG 1 (to 06.10.40).
REENTS, Siebelt. 01.05.39 appt Staka 4./ZG 26.
STREIB, Werner. 1939 pilot in I./ZG 1. 30.04.40 Oblt. in 2./ZG 1.
WANDAM, Siegfried. 1940 Oblt. and Adj. I./ZG 1. 20.07.40 Oblt., Adj. I./NJG 1.


We hope that this helps.

LdZ
DGS

Re: Need StaKap info for I./ZG1 during 1939-40
 

Doug/Larry,

This helps a lot THANKS!

I note that you don't carry Maj. Karl Hammes as the StaKap of 1./ZG1. He was certainly shot down and was killed in a 1./ZG1 a/c, 2N+IH, early in the Polish Campaign. Every other source that I've seen indicates that this Reserve Officer was StaKap of 1./ZG1 when this happened. You don't propose anyone else in your listing for StaKap of 1 Staffel during this period. Do you have any further thoughts on this issue?

Does anyone else have detail and cited sources for any further info on the Stab positions for I./ZG1 during 1939-40, or some of the missing info on StaKap and Stab positions for II./ZG1?

Regards,

Re: Need StaKap info for I./ZG1 during 1939-40
 

Erwin Bacsila was Gruppenadjutant of II./ZG1 in early stages, flying Bf109D and E's, before he was transferred to 11.(N)/LG 2 as StaKa.


And Yes, Larry, that Bf110C 2N+AM with severla abschussebalken on fin is directly Rolf Kaldrack's aircraft during French campaign, as he was 4./ZG1 StaKA.

I. Gruppe ZG 1:
1.5.39 - 13.12.39 Maj Joachim-Friederich Huth
14.12.39 - 22.6.40 Hptm Wolfgang Falck

1./ZG 1
1.09.39 - 6.9.39, Major. Karl Hammes, (KiA, Bf110C-1, shoot down by P.11c NE Warschau);
7.9.1939 – 1 July 40, Oblt. Martin Lutz (Staffel became 1./Erpr.Gr. 210);

2./ ZG 1
1.09.39 - 6 Sept 39, Hptm.Horst Lehrmann
6 June 40 – 26 July 40, Oblt. Günther Radusch (Or W.Streib?), (Staffel became 2./NJG 1);

3./ZG 1
1.09.39 - 2.9.39, Hptm. Wendelin von Müllenheim-Rehberg, (Bf110C, shot down in aerial combat);
3.9.1939 - 26.06.40 - Oblt.Walter Ehle, (Staffel became 3./NJG 1);

II. Gruppe ZG 1:
15.5.39 - 5.2.40 Maj Hellmuth Reichardt
5.40 - 26.6.40 Hptm Friedrich-Karl Dickoré

4./ZG 1
Hptm.Hans-O. Winterer was StaKa during Polish campaign.
??? - 26 June 40 - Hptm. Rolf Kaldrack (Staffel became 7./ZG 76)

5./ZG 1
??? - ??? - Oblt. Walter Kienzle (tansferred?)
??? - 13 May 40 - Hptm. Roderich Küppers, (KiA, Bf110C, shot down by AAA fire)
13 May 40 - 26 june 40 - ??

6./ZG 1
??? - ??? - Oblt. Dietrich Robitzsch (transferred?)
??? - 26 June 40 - Oblt. Gerhard Kadow (Staffel became 9./ZG 76)

Re: Need StaKap info for I./ZG1 during 1939-40
 

Your remarks about this guy rang a bell so I investigated further and discovered that I have a lot more about him. It appears that there is a swath of data that I somehow neglected to pass to Larry deZeng and this it did not get into our master file.
Anyway, Please consider the following:


HAMMES, Karl.
(DOB: 03.96).
08.14 was an artillery officer.
WW I trf to the air force, flying as an observer.
(n.d.) trf to Jasta 35.
09.09.17 Oblt., badly WIA, flew no more missions for the duration.
1920s took up a career as an opera singer (!) performing in such top venues such as the Kroll Opera House and the State Opera in Vienna.
06.37 joined the Luftwaffe.
19.07.37 appt Staka 1./JG 132.
03.38 promo to Hptm.
01.11.38 appt Staka 4./ZG 141.
01.05.39 appt Staka 1./ZG 76.
01.09.39 Maj.?, appt Staka 1./ZG 1 (to 06.09.39 KIA).
06.09.39 Maj., Staka 1./ZG 1 KIA while escorting Ju 87s, shot up fatally by PZL P.11c fighters NE of Warsaw.


I am positive that I have seen photos of the plane crashed with Hammes' temporary grave next to it.

This explains things a bit!

Doug

Re: Need StaKap info for I./ZG1 during 1939-40
 

So have I... :D

Re: Need StaKap info for I./ZG1 during 1939-40
 

I found it!

There are photos of the crash site and grave of Karl Hammes on pages 10 and 11 of:
Vasco, John J. Zerstörer Volume One – Luftwaffe Fighter-Bombers and Destoyers 1936-1940 (Classic Publications, 2005), ISBN 1-903223-57-1

Bf 110 C-1 (2N+IH)

I can't find the WNr.


DGS

Re: Need StaKap info for I./ZG1 during 1939-40
 

Doug,

Thanks for checking into this further; your comments completely deal with my issue. Yes, there are many, many photos around of his force landed Bf110C-1, 2N+IH, that Hammes was piloting the day that he was killed. His field grave is visible on many of these next to the plane. This is likely to be a color profile in our Polish Campaign book, although I also believe that I have his regularly assigned a/c, 2N+AH, with a double white rear fuselage band, documented photographically from that period. Since 2N+IH is so much better known, it may be more appropriate to do his regular a/c instead for a profile. Interestingly, there is a second a/c from that Staffel, 2N+FH, that is documented from ECPA photography, that also carried a similar white double band on the rear fuselage. These are obviously some kind of command bands unique to I./ZG1 from that period, but I'm not sure what they signify; flight leaders and C.O. perhaps? Does anybody have an opinion about this, and/or know of any other white (or any other color) rear fuselage bands on I./ZG1 Bf110Cs from the Polish Campaign period? Would 2 Staffel have used red bands, and 3 Staffel yellow ones, and maybe the Stab green ones? There are also examples of white command bands on Stukas and other aircraft for the 1939 period.

Regards,

Re: Need StaKap info for I./ZG1 during 1939-40
 

I have 9 different photos of this a/c, but only on one W.Nr. is visible.

Visible, but totally unreadable, because it is in black, on dark green camou and below horizontal stabiliser, in the shadow :(

For the fuselage bands:

As for I./ZG1, I saw only 1 a/c with dowble white band, 2N+?H, with Swastike oainted in early style (indicate this to Polish campaign).

But IMHO those tail bands were not something "standart".

J.Gr.102 (further I./ZG2) used 3 fuselage bands on Bf109D as follows :
black, white, black, for 1 StaKa,
red (outlined in white) for 2 StaKa,
two white for 3 StaKa.
But it seems that they didnt practice it during French campaign on theyr Bf110C.

As for other known Gruppen, used this style of marking, I know only I./ZG26 during Battle of Britain:

Bf110D, U8+DK, with 1 thin white band next to horis. stabiliser and white nose.
Bf110C, U8+HL, with 1 thin white band next to horis. stabiliser and white nose (crashlanded).
Bf110C, U8+GL, with 1 thin white band next to horis. stabiliser and white nose.

So, it does not show any differense between band style between Staffeln, also, it could not mean the aircraft belong to CO.

Otherwise, Bf110C U8+HH of Oblt. G.Shpecht did not have this band (or it is not visible, or it is a photo from French campaign, when Gruppe didnt used this marking yet).

Re: Need StaKap info for I./ZG1 during 1939-40
 

Evgeny,

Thanks for your comments. As I said in my previous posts I have photos of at least 2 1./ZG1 a/c with the white bands during the general period of the Polish Campaign: 2N+AH and 2N+FH. There are other photos of a/c of this unit from that period that don't appear to carry this, hence my opinion that these are command bands of some sort.

Regarding the I./ZG26 white band on the rear fuselage of their Bf110s, I have many photos showing examples of this on a/c of the Stab and all three staffels and with many codes, indicating that it was carried at least from early in the Battle of Britain until the ZG units withdrew from the Battle by 10.40, including U8+BB, U8+GH, U8+BK, U8+HK, U8+BL, U8+CL, U8+GL, U8+HL and U8+KL. These are only the ones in the EOE DB, but there are obviously others in the literature, such as your mentioned U8+DK. Numerous dated forced-landed a/c confirm that this was not carried during the Western Campaign of May-June, 1940 (U8+BH, U8+CH, U8+DH, U8+CK, U8+DL, ). Other photos indicate that this was not used after the Battle of Britain period. There are known, datable examples of Bf110s of I./ZG1 that did not carry this during the Battle of Britain, notably U8+AL down on a French beach on 30 August 1940, U8+FL which was in the background of a photo of U8+CL that does carry the band, and U8+AK that was photographed with two other a/c of 2 Staffel that carried the bands. My theory is that this was painted on ALL I./ZG1 aircraft by the beginning of the Battle of Britain, but replacement a/c did not necessarily receive this, and the marking was not carried over after the Gruppe withdrew from the Channel front in late 1940.

Comments? Does anyone know of further examples?

Regards

Re: Need StaKap info for I./ZG1 during 1939-40
 

Were not the 1939 white fuselage bands used for some kind of identification in pre-war exercises? 109s can be seen with them also.