Uffz. Karl Finke - JG 26 - KIA 8 July 1941 nr Ypres
 

Looking for approx. time Uffz. Karl Finke of JG 26 went down in his Bf-109E (Wnr. 3711) at Wijtschate, some 7 kms S of Ypres/Ieper, Belgium on 8 July 1941.

Loss is said due to air combat with a Spitfire, reportedly also downed, with RAF-pilot POW. Trying to see if this was Spitfire R7263 of No. 145 Squadron with P/O Peter Pine (RCAF) who was taken prisoner at not too far away Courtrai/Kortrijk that day according his postwar questionnaire. RAF-squadron was over SW Belgium in mid-afternoon, escort mission to Lllle.
(RAF loss not to be confused with Spitfire R7218 of same squadron on FR/BE North Sea border.)

Any info welcome, thanks.

Leendert

Re: Uffz. Karl Finke - JG 26 - KIA 8 July 1941 nr Ypres
 

Caldwell says mid-afternoon and all of JG 26's claims are around 1530-1550hrs. Likewise JG 2's . He also states that Finke's combat was long and lone and that the Spitfire crash-landed afterwards.

Re: Uffz. Karl Finke - JG 26 - KIA 8 July 1941 nr Ypres
 

Thanks, Chris. Timeframe appears to match with No. 145 Squadron's presence over area.
Although P/O Pine was captured at Courtrai (Kortrijk) according his questionnaire, the actual crash place of his Spitfire remains somewhat of a mystery...

Leendert

Re: Uffz. Karl Finke - JG 26 - KIA 8 July 1941 nr Ypres
 

145's F540 is very thin as well which is a shame

Re: Uffz. Karl Finke - JG 26 - KIA 8 July 1941 nr Ypres
 

Grave Card just says he was buried at Dranouter and then moved to the German Military Cemetery at Kemmel. No times

Re: Uffz. Karl Finke - JG 26 - KIA 8 July 1941 nr Ypres
 

Dranouter is some 9 kms west of Wijtschate, the reported crash place of Finke's Bf-109.
Now buried at the German cemetery at Lommel (Block 42, Grab 401).

Obfw. Meyer (JG 26) also claimed a Spitfire nr Hazebrouck, in the general area as well.
But from the story about Finke and his long dogfight with a Spitfire, which later on crashed, this was P/O Pine's a/c.

Leendert

Re: Uffz. Karl Finke - JG 26 - KIA 8 July 1941 nr Ypres
 

Dranouter to Kemmel to Lommel. Quite a number of moves!

Re: Uffz. Karl Finke - JG 26 - KIA 8 July 1941 nr Ypres
 

Leendeert
It is not how you think. Finke got separated and nobody knew what had happened with him. A Spitfire crashed nearby and the pilot baled out. Because there was no claim it was then assumed, Finke shot it down. That is all.
Right at the moment I am in no position to check numerous combat reports if any matches to the loss of Finke and/or Spitfire. Mind you blue on blue was quite common, so this cannot be excluded, assuming the Spitfire was shot down and not went down to another reason.

Sergeant Karl Finke, 6th Squadron


Born September 6, 1918, in Paderborn/Westphalia, killed in aerial combat near Yypern/Belgium on July 8, 1941, at the age of 22 years and 10 months.


In civilian life, Finke was a locksmith and joined the 7th Company of the 52nd Air Training Regiment in Halberstadt on October 1, 1938. There he received his basic training and then enlisted for active service. He completed his fighter pilot training from November 1, 1940, to March 4, 1941, at the Stolp-Reitz Fighter Pilot School and subsequently served with the 2nd Company of the 26th Emergency Fighter Wing from March 5, 1941, to May 20, 1941. On May 21, 1941, he was assigned to the 6th Squadron.


Of medium height, Finke had a strong, athletic build. He was intelligent and mentally agile. His reliability was characteristic of him.


He had only participated in three combat missions when he flew against the enemy for the last time from Moorseele Air Base on July 8, 1941.


The squadron scrambled on alert against incoming enemy aircraft. The first contact with the enemy occurred in the vicinity of Ypern. During the ensuing skirmish, Sergeant Finke, as a young and inexperienced front-line pilot, was unable to maintain contact. It must be assumed that Finke engaged in an aerial battle alone in a Spitfire, during which he managed to shoot down or scare off the Spitfire. On the other hand, the Spitfire must also have managed to effectively strafe Finke. What is certain is that Finke crashed without a fire, with one wing tipping over. The aircraft impacted steeply at the foot of the Kemmel hill.


The remains of Sergeant Finke were recovered from a depth of approximately 3 meters. The actual cause of death could no longer be determined due to the condition of the remains.


It is also established that a burning Spitfire crashed at the same time in the immediate vicinity of the impact site. The pilot bailed out and was subsequently captured.


Since this downing was not claimed by any other German pilot, it is highly probable that Sergeant Finke simultaneously achieved his first aerial victory in his first dogfight and died in the process. On July 11, 1941, Finke was buried with full military honors by his squadron comrades in the Heroes' Cemetery 1914 – 18th Division 40 Dranouter at the foot of the Kemmelberg.


Next of kin: Wife, Hilde Finke, Paderborn, Brüderstrasse 34

Re: Uffz. Karl Finke - JG 26 - KIA 8 July 1941 nr Ypres
 

Franek, thanks for further details about Uffz. Finke, quite interesting. It indeed remains unconclusive how and also where P/O Pine came to crash-land in that area, be it due to described air combat or other cause.
But that may be a question for the Allied Air Forces Discussion Forum...

Leendert

Re: Uffz. Karl Finke - JG 26 - KIA 8 July 1941 nr Ypres
 

Well, crash sites of RAF aircraft are a little bit of a pain, indeed. Have you consulted Cas Rep AIR 81?
I would suggest o try to work out course of events that day, based on ORBs and PCRs, routes, engagements, it often allows to sort out things.
You can search PCRs by date, see this. Interestingly, Giermer claimed his enemy baled out.
https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...ils/r/D7445504
https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...ils/r/D7445664
https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...ils/r/D7441361
https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...rtments=Refine
I would gladly do that myself, but right now I am in no position.
Franek

Re: Uffz. Karl Finke - JG 26 - KIA 8 July 1941 nr Ypres
 

Thanks for updates, Franek. This is one of those border cases with no direct answer. Since Finke came down just on the Belgian side of the FR/BE border, Pine's Spitfire may well have crashed across the frontier. France-crashes 39-45 has no known location either.
Giermer's report of 8 July 1941 may refer to Uffz. Albrecht Held's Bf-109 (1./JG 26), NNE of St. Omer.


Leendert

Re: Uffz. Karl Finke - JG 26 - KIA 8 July 1941 nr Ypres
 

Roba says Pine crashed near Courtrai. No idea of his source.
I have found that locating RAF crashes is a bit difficult.
Anyway, sorting the combats of the day is possible and should allow to make some sense.
Franek