Bf 110 Reconnaissance Unit - Which Staffel?
 

On 24 August 1940 a Bf 110 of Aufklärungsgruppe Ob.d.L. was shot down into the sea during operations over Sheerness. The crew of Lt. Hofer and two NCOs were reported as missing and the aircraft was lost. Does anyone know which Auf.Gr. Ob.d.L. Staffel the aircraft was from?

Re: Bf 110 Reconnaissance Unit - Which Staffel?
 

I have:
1940-08-24, 3.(F)/Ob.d.L., Bf 110 D, 3165, L2+OS, Bei Sheerness
Flugzeugführer Oblt Hofer, Hans-Karl, vermißt
Beobachter Ofw Curdt, August, vermißt
Bordfunker Fw Schierock (Schierok?), Arthur, vermißt
Jägerbeschuß. Bruch 100 %.

Matti

Re: Bf 110 Reconnaissance Unit - Which Staffel?
 

Thanks Matti, that's just the answer I was looking for!

What is your source for this?

Peter

Re: Bf 110 Reconnaissance Unit - Which Staffel?
 

Invariably the NVM with Matti's research

Re: Bf 110 Reconnaissance Unit - Which Staffel?
 

Yes, NVM from WASt.

Matti

Re: Bf 110 Reconnaissance Unit - Which Staffel?
 

Please excuse my naivety, but what do the initials stand for?

Peter

Re: Bf 110 Reconnaissance Unit - Which Staffel?
 

Namentliche Verlustemeldung (excuse spelling). It is a report submitted by each unit which suffered personnel killed, missing, captured or wounded and in a number of cases contains aircrfat details

Re: Bf 110 Reconnaissance Unit - Which Staffel?
 

Thanks Chris, and WASt.?

Re: Bf 110 Reconnaissance Unit - Which Staffel?
 

»Wehrmachtauskunftstelle« = Armed Forces Information Establishment.

Full title: »Wehrmachtauskunftstelle für Kriegerverluste und Kriegsgefangene«, so as above + "for War Casualties and Prisoners of War".

Re: Bf 110 Reconnaissance Unit - Which Staffel?
 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deutsc...ststelle_(WASt)

Re: Bf 110 Reconnaissance Unit - Which Staffel?
 

Thanks Chris and Nick - all clear now!

Peter

Re: Bf 110 Reconnaissance Unit - Which Staffel?
 

Almost clear.

WASt no longer exists as such. The functions of WASt were controlled by the Berlin authorities, hence their very literal interpretation of the Datenschutz provisions. Approximately a year or so ago, control of WASt was passed to the Bundesarchiv and it is now known as the Bundesarchiv-PA (Personenbezogene Auskünfte). Ideally over time, a slightly more open and helpful approach for researchers will be taken to matters of data protection.

Re: Bf 110 Reconnaissance Unit - Which Staffel?
 

Having first written to WASt in 1977, they will always be WASt to me! Was always exciting when after 3-4 months a letter/package came from them. Sad that due to DP and GDPR, those days are long gone

Re: Bf 110 Reconnaissance Unit - Which Staffel?
 

I totally understand. Likewise, Kew will always be the PRO to me rather than TNA.

There was a lot to be said for the thud of an envelope from Germany in the hallway in pre-internet times. Thankfully, I was just about able to get the small number of NVMs I wanted before the shutters came down in the early 1990s.

There are hopeful indications of improved access.

Re: Bf 110 Reconnaissance Unit - Which Staffel?
 

...and they used to give last known addresses!