Lt. Hasso Holst, Flugzeugführer, I./KG 54
 

I think some of you might find the following of interest. I acquired some documents belonging to a Ju 88 pilot of KG 54 that I wish to share. I have transferred to a word document most of what is written in the documents and consolidated that which I have gathered with relevant reference sources. I will post images to most of the pages. Please feel free to correct any mistakes or oversights I have made. Also, if there is something further that you wish to add to Lt. Holst’s story, by all means, please do so. I am relatively new to researching not just the Luftwaffe, but air units in general. Any help is greatly appreciated.


Sources
Radtke, Siegfried. Kampfgeschwader 54: von der Ju 52 zur Me 262. Schild Verlag Munich, 1990. ISBN 3-88014-0987
Shores, Christopher; Cull, Brian; Malizia, Nicola. Malta: The Spitfire Year 1942. Grub Street, 1991. ISBN 0-948817-16-X
de Zeng, H.L; Stankey, D.G; Creek, E.J. Bomber Units of the Luftwaffe 1933-1945 Volume 1. Ian Allen Publishing, 2007. ISBN 978-1-85780-279-5 (Terrific reference, Larry!)
Scheibert, Horst. Die Inhaber Des EhrenPokals Für Besondere Leistung Im Luftkrieg. Podzun-Pallas-Verlag, 1986. ISBN 3-7909-0283-7
Brekken, Andreas. Aviation History Society Norway: Luftwaffe Losses Detailed Information. http://www.ahs.no/ref_db/lw_loss_pub...?lossid=142161
(Wonderful resource!!)
And thank you to forum member, Tasos (“tasos greece”), for scanning and sharing the image found at: http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showpo...2&postcount=20
http://www.wehrkreis.com/img074-vi.jpg
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Re: Lt. Hasso Holst, Flugzeugführer, I./KG 54
 

Hasso Hermann Max Holst was born on 18 July,1920, in the Charlottenburg borough of Berlin. Frieda Holst, Hasso’s mother, passed away in 1933. His father, Paul, was an inspector of some sort. Hasso’s nationality is listed as German. He was of evangelical faith, never married, and his civilian learned occupation is listed as student.

Hasso studied English and French in school. Hasso was a member of the life-saving society of Germany, was certified in gliding, and a recipient of the Reich youth sport award.

His next of kin was listed as his father, Paul Holst, who resided in the Tempelhof borough of Berlin.

He is listed as volunteering for military service on 22.02.1938. He was found fit and listed under the untrained, under age 35, and not called up for service category.

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http://www.wehrkreis.com/HolstWPImage.jpg

Re: Lt. Hasso Holst, Flugzeugführer, I./KG 54
 

On the date his wehrpass was issued from Wehrbezirks-Kommando Berlin VII, 21.11.1938, there is an entry indicating that Hasso volunteered for duty with the Luftwaffe as an officer candidate, to begin the following year, 1939.

Hasso began his RAD service in April of 1939, and as of the general mobilization declared on 26.08.1939, was assigned to one of the Bau-Bataillone.

He began his Luftwaffe training on 1.10.1939, found fit for duty on 5.10.1939, assigned to 2. Kompanie/Flieger-Ausbildungs-Regiment 42 in Salzwedel and swore his allegiance on 8.10.1939. He was issued his Luftwaffe soldbuch on 20.10.1939.

http://www.wehrkreis.com/img078-vi.jpghttp://www.wehrkreis.com/img080-vi.jpghttp://www.wehrkreis.com/img061-vi.jpghttp://www.wehrkreis.com/img63-vi.jpg

Re: Lt. Hasso Holst, Flugzeugführer, I./KG 54
 

His unit listing begins with his Bau-Bataillon assignment. His Luftwaffe service is as follows:

2.10.1939 to 14.11.1939 --- 2. Kompanie / Flieger-Ausbildungs-Regiment 42
15.11.1939 to 20.07.1940 --- Schülerkompanie / Luftkriegsschule 5
21.07.1940 to 15.05.1941 --- Schülerkompanie /Flugzeugführerschule Kolberg
16.05.1941 to 15.06.1941 --- Schülerkompanie/ Blindflugschule 3
16.06.1941 to 2.11.1941 --- 4. Schülerkompanie / Große Kampffliegerschule 1
3.11.1941 to 31.01.1942 --- 4./Kampfgeschwader 54
1.02.1942 to 14.10.1942 --- 1./Kampfgeschwader 54


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Re: Lt. Hasso Holst, Flugzeugführer, I./KG 54
 

Rank details listed as follows:

1.02.1940 – Fahnenjunker-Gefreiter
1.04.1940 – Fahnenjunker-Unteroffizier
1.07.1940 – Fähnrich
1.12.1940 - Oberfähnrich
1.02.1941 - Leutnant


Weapons training listed as follows:
98K
l.m.g. 13
Pistole 08 (Pistol Permit issued 27.01.1941)

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Re: Lt. Hasso Holst, Flugzeugführer, I./KG 54
 

Flugzeugführerschein issued 13.07.1940.

Flugzeugführerabzeichen awarded 19.08.1940 (Please see previous post, bottom of page 21 of the wehrpass for the entry)

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Re: Lt. Hasso Holst, Flugzeugführer, I./KG 54
 

Now a part of I./KG 54, Holst receives the following awards:

10 April, 1942 - Frontflugspange für Kampfflieger in Bronze (20 Operational Sorties)

12 April, 1942 – Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse

29 April, 1942 – Eisernes Kreuz I. Klasse

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Re: Lt. Hasso Holst, Flugzeugführer, I./KG 54
 

26 May, 1942 - Holst’s Ju 88 (B3+MH-140212 or 140225) of 1. Staffel, I./KG 54 departs Eleusina with a stopover in Tympaki, Crete, heading toward Libya to provide aerial support for Rommel’s Panzer Armee Afrika as ground forces commence Operation “Theseus.” Upon returning from Africa, as a result of what is later described as a compass malfunction, Leutnant Holst is forced to ditch at sea for want of fuel, by the Greek island of Psathoura (N. Sporades) shortly after 0100 hours on 27 May. Holst and his crew manage to safely reach Psathoura thanks to an inflatable dinghy retrieved from the sinking aircraft.

Image from thread located at: http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showth...t=18704&page=2
(Appreciation to Tasos for sharing the image with the forum)

http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/attach...2&d=1257425578

Re: Lt. Hasso Holst, Flugzeugführer, I./KG 54
 

27.05.1942 - Frontflugspange in Silber (60 Operational Sorties)

7.09.1942 - Frontflugspange in Gold (110 Operational Sorties)


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Re: Lt. Hasso Holst, Flugzeugführer, I./KG 54
 

Monday, October 12, 1942 - The last major blitz by the Luftwaffe against Malta is underway. Hasso Holst is listed in the Ehrenliste Der Deutschen Luftwaffe. He has been awarded the Ehrenpokal.

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Re: Lt. Hasso Holst, Flugzeugführer, I./KG 54
 

Tuesday, October 13, 1942 - Lt. Holst and his crew, which consisted of Beobachter Uffz. Joachim Elsasser, Bordfunker Uffz. Gerhard Richter, and Bordschütze Uffz. Alfred John, are celebrated upon their return from a raid over Malta for achieving the 5000th operational sortie flown by aircraft of the I./KG 54.

Image Source: Radtke, p.128.

http://www.wehrkreis.com/I_KG54_5K_sharp.jpg

Re: Lt. Hasso Holst, Flugzeugführer, I./KG 54
 

Wednesday, October 14, 1942 – Between 1000 and 1100 hours, Holst’s Ju 88 (B3+HH – 5839) along with six other Ju 88 of I./KG 54 depart their airfield in Catania, Sicily, tasked with another bombing raid over Malta. They are escorted by 45 Bf 109 of I and II./JG 53, I./JG 77 and I./JG 27, and 29 Macchi C.202 of 51o Stormo.

Flight Lieutenant “Wally” McLeod and seven other Spitfire of RAF No. 1435 Squadron confronted the German and Italian aircraft 20 miles north of Malta’s Grand Harbour. Flt. Lt. McLeod, a native of Regina, SK, later dubbed “The Eagle of Malta,” claimed one Ju 88 after pursuing the aircraft across the island and after it had released its ordnance.

Image Source: Wikipedia page of "Wally" McLeod, RCAF
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...0px-McLeod.jpg

Re: Lt. Hasso Holst, Flugzeugführer, I./KG 54
 

Nine other Spitfire of RAF No. 185 Squadron, led by Wing Commander John “Tommy” Thompson, also engaged the enemy aircraft. Thompson noted the following:

"I dived vertically on two 88s and attacked the starboard one. I opened fire with my cannons and machine guns at 200 yards closing to 50 yards, and saw cannon strikes which caused the enemy aircraft to burst into flames in the middle of the fuselage. Confirmed by ground observation from Luqa."

The author speculates that Thompson was responsible for the downing of Lt. Holst’s Ju 88 considering that the aircraft was reported shot down over the sea off of Malta and that this appeared consistent with Luftwaffe loss reports. The author adds that Holst’s aircraft may also be the one claimed by Flt. Lt. McLeod. (Note – The author identifies Holst’s Ju 88 as stammkennzeichen B3+AA).

Image Source: www.350sqn.be page of John Marlow Thompson
http://www.350sqn.be/images/portret/thompson.jpg

Re: Lt. Hasso Holst, Flugzeugführer, I./KG 54
 

As per the Luftwaffe loss report of the crash of Lt. Holst's aircraft, three parachutes were observed. According to Radtke, the entire crew remains listed as missing in action.

Andreas Brekken's, Aviation History Society Norway: http://www.ahs.no/ref_db/lw_loss_pub...?lossid=142161

Re: Lt. Hasso Holst, Flugzeugführer, I./KG 54
 

Entry noting Holst's status ("vermißt") as of 20.10.1942. Signature of DKiG recipient, Karl Palliardi.

http://www.wehrkreis.com/img069-vi.jpg

Re: Lt. Hasso Holst, Flugzeugführer, I./KG 54
 

Paul,

Very nice grouping thanks so much for showing. Having the Wehrpas and Soldbuch together are a perfect way of filling in the blanks and not something you see too often.

The wreck photo is remarkably as well a rare chance to see the actual AC used by the flyers as well as putting a personal story to a deteriorating wreck.

Being a document collector I really enjoy seeing this material

Thanks again.

Jeremy

Re: Lt. Hasso Holst, Flugzeugführer, I./KG 54
 

Outstanding job, Paul. You are rapidly becoming the expert of all experts on interpreting the WPs and SBs and then investigating and putting together the background and story describing the fate of the individual. Great layout!

Larry

Re: Lt. Hasso Holst, Flugzeugführer, I./KG 54
 

Thank you very much, gentlemen. I appreciate the kind words and am glad you both enjoyed viewing the presentation.

Re: Lt. Hasso Holst, Flugzeugführer, I./KG 54
 

That's some excellent detective work, Paul. I've seldom seen such a comprehensive description of a Luftwaffe bomber pilot's career.

Thanks for sharing this with us.

Regards,
Rudi.

Re: Lt. Hasso Holst, Flugzeugführer, I./KG 54
 

Top marks from me also Paul!
A truly excellent grouping you have presented here, your research and attention to detail is superb.
Very well done, and many thanks for sharing Hasso Holst's story with us.

Best regs,
Steve.

Re: Lt. Hasso Holst, Flugzeugführer, I./KG 54
 

Many thanks, Rudi and Steve! It was absolutely my pleasure.

Re: Lt. Hasso Holst, Flugzeugführer, I./KG 54
 

Excellent work Paul !!!
Thanks for searing it.
Regards
Dimitri

Re: Lt. Hasso Holst, Flugzeugführer, I./KG 54
 

Hello Paul
Thanks a lot for the excellent presentation of Hasso Holst career!
Much appreciated
Juha