Oberleutnant Herbert Knabel
 

I recently came across name of Oberleutnant Herbert Knabel, who was supposedly one of the first bomber pilots to complete 100 operations. Was shot down in April 1941, to become a POW.

I have not found anything on him - does anyone know his Kampfgeschwader, particular aircraft he flew, etc.?

markr

Re: Oberleutnant Herbert Knabel
 

No mention in the RK list, Ehrenpokal list or career summaries but Ofw Herbert Knäbel was shot down by Heywood of 79 Sqn in a He 111 H-3, 6840, V4+HH of 7./KG 40 2.5 miles SW St David's Head 0945 hrs 9 April 1941

Re: Oberleutnant Herbert Knabel
 

Hello,

The claimant was 32079 S/L John Harvey HEYWORTH RAFO, OC. No.79 Sqn.

Col.

Re: Oberleutnant Herbert Knabel
 

Hi
Ofw Knäbel was a member of 7./KG 40.

09.04.1941 / III(7)/KG 40 / unknown place / He 111 H-3 / 6840 /V4 + KH / 100% / F / unknown cause
Ofw Herbert Knäbel vm / Ofw Erwin Winroth vm / Fw Karl Bucek + / Ofw Hans Salzsieder +

best wishes
JoMe

Re: Oberleutnant Herbert Knabel
 

JoMe: Look at Post #2!

Re: Oberleutnant Herbert Knabel
 

I am Chris :)

JoMe/Chris

What was the unit code please? V4+HH or V4+KH?
I have it previously as V4+HH myself....

Cheers
Stig

Re: Oberleutnant Herbert Knabel
 

K report has HH and I believe NVM has HH ex-1./KG 1 which formed III./KG 40

Re: Oberleutnant Herbert Knabel
 

Thanks Chris

I stick with "HH" then :)

Cheers
Stig

Re: Oberleutnant Herbert Knabel
 

Is it possible to identify the Hurricanes of S/Ldr Heyworth and Sgt Evans. Also Sawicz's Hurricane.Please
Regards,
Tony K

Re: Oberleutnant Herbert Knabel
 

S/L Heyworth - No.79 Sqn Hurricane I V6819
Sgt Evans - No.79 Sqn Hurricane I V7223

F/O Sawicz -No.316 Sqn - Hurricane I P3926

Col.

Re: Oberleutnant Herbert Knabel
 

Many thanks Col for that, do you have the Sqn codes ie individual letters of ID,( sorry if I appear to push it a bit)
best regards
Tony K

Re: Oberleutnant Herbert Knabel
 

Hello,

Can't help with S/L Heyworth or Sgt Evans.

P-0596 F/O Tadeusz Wladyslaw SAWICZ PAF - No.316 Sqn Hurricane I P3926:SZ-P

Col.

Re: Oberleutnant Herbert Knabel
 

Many thanks everyone, for all of this information!

markr

Re: Oberleutnant Herbert Knabel
 

Markr

May I just ask what your source is?
If Ofw Knäbel is your Oblt "Knabel" this source of yours have two faults in a rather brief request of yours.
a) He was an Ofw and not an Oblt
b) He went missing and did not become a POW

Just curious
Stig

Re: Oberleutnant Herbert Knabel
 

Hi

V4+KH is the entry in the GQM-loss list.

JoMe

Re: Oberleutnant Herbert Knabel
 

I see...
Hmmm, I will add 'KH' as listed in GQM then.
But remember what Matti use to say. NVM usually outstrip GQM reports, but then again we then usually talk about WNr and individuals names.

Thanks for the reply BTW :)

Cheers
Stig

Re: Oberleutnant Herbert Knabel
 

The code in the GQM list dated 11.4.41 is V4+HH. I have a copy of the IWM microfilm, where the letters are very clear.

Matti

Re: Oberleutnant Herbert Knabel
 

Thanks Matti :)

That settles it!

Cheers
Stig

Re: Oberleutnant Herbert Knabel
 

This was found on www


Oberleutnant Herbert E Knaebel (deceased)

Born on February 21, 1918 in Wolmirstedt, Germany, Herbert Knaebel was interested in aviation as a youngster. He joined the Luftwaffe in 1936, was trained as a pilot, earned his wings, and joined the Kampfgeschwader Hindenburg. Knaebel volunteered for combat duty and joined the Condor Legion in Spain, where he flew the Heinkel 111 on 62 missions during the Spanish Civil War. At the end of this conflict Knaebel rejoined his old unit. As World War Two erupted Knaebel was pressed into duty during the attacks on Poland, France, and eventually during the Battle of Britain. Knaebel became the first Luftwaffe bomber pilot to fly his 100th mission. Herbert was fortunate to fly many of these mission without incident. However, on April 9,1941 Knaebel flew his 162nd and most eventful mission, which was to prove to be his last. While attacking a British convoy in the North Sea, Knaebel's Heinkel 111 was hit by anti-aircraft fire from two destroyers. With two of his crew critically injured, Knaebel was attempting to return to base when an RAF Hurricane targeted Knaebel's aircraft. The Hurricane ultimately brought down Knaebel's craft, and Knaebel and his navigator, the only other surviving crewman, bailed out. Demonstrating the gallantry and respect often exhibited by fellow airmen, even if on opposing sides, the Hurricane pilot dropped a yellow marker, and flew back and forth to a destroyer, which finally picked up the two survivors from the cold waters. Knaebel became, as he describes it, "a guest of the King" (i.e.- prisoner of war) following his rescue. He spent one year of captivity in England, but was later transferred to Canada. As a POW Knaebel took advantage of the opportunity to further educate himself, as he had access in the camp to many books. He was released in Canada in 1947. Returning to Germany to complete his education, Herbert married his wife Mary in 1951. The young couple immigrated to Canada where Herbert worked for the International Nickel Company and later U.S. Steel in Northern Quebec. In 1962 the Knaebels decided to look for a warmer climate, and they immigrated to the Central Coast of California. Herbert worked for a time at Vandenburg AF13 near Santa Maria, California. Bitten by the California bug, he decided to pass up the opportunity for a permanent position which would have necessitated a move to Arkansas. Instead, Knaebel joined a local company as its Chief Chemist, a position he retained for twenty-two years prior to his retirement. Herbert and his wife Mary were resident in Santa Maria, where Herbert enjoyed a daily swim under the warm California skies. Sadly, Herbert Knaebel passed away on 17th October 2009.

B


Re: Oberleutnant Herbert Knabel
 

Hi

I looked in my micro fiche, the code is unclear, but actually seems to be more V4 + HH than V4 + KH.
My mistake, sorry.

best wishes
JoMe

Re: Oberleutnant Herbert Knabel
 

Hi Stig,

To answer your question, I obtained the information from a website forum (Axis History Forum?), as I recall.

This was back in 2017, and I intended to look around for more information on Ofw Knabel at that time - but I had to set aside due to a family emergency.
Just got back to this recently.

markr

Re: Oberleutnant Herbert Knabel
 

162 x operations by April 1941! Now that is something...

markr

Re: Oberleutnant Herbert Knabel
 

If he had such a high total of ops, why no award at all? As a minimum I would have expected a Pokal

Re: Oberleutnant Herbert Knabel
 

Thanks Markr

Cheers
Stig