III/NJG.1 1941 Thimmig en airplane
 

Does anybody knows the carreer of Hptm (rank in july 1941) Wolfgang H. Thimmig before he became Gruppenkommandeure in 6.6.1942? Did he served in july 1941 in this unit too? I have a gap in his carreer from his start in the army until 6.6.42.
And I wonder whether the NJG 1 flew only Bf110 's in july 1941. Was there a chance of Thimmig flying a Bf109 (where I understood the NJG1 started with in 1940)?
What ware is initials on his plane? ( G9 + ??) or (G9 + ?A)
And, finally, am I right to assume that the eirfield that Thimmig was stationned was Twente in july 1941?

thanks for every clue!!
Herman

Re: III/NJG.1 1941 Thimmig en airplane
 

On the 6th of June 1942, Thimmig became the Gruppenkommandeur of the III./NJG 1 on Twente. He was born in Dresden 1912, early '30ths he became a professional soldier with the new born Luftwaffe. In 1936 he became a leutnant. On the 12th of October 1940 he became Staffelkapitan with the 2./NJG1 where he became the nickname "Ameise" (Ant).

On the 1st of June 1943 Thimmig leaves Twente. On Twente Thimmig reaches 10 Abschusse. In June 1943 Thimmig becomes Gruppenkommandeur of the III./NGJ 101 and stayed Kommandeur until the 19th of October 1943. On the 20th of October 1943 he becomes Kommodore of the NJG4. In february 1945 Thimmig returns to Twente as a Kommodore of NJG2.

Thimmig survived the war and ended as an Oberstleutnant with 23 victories. A few short for the Ritterkreuz.

Source: Huzaren van de Nacht, part I from C. Cornelissen.

Re: III/NJG.1 1941 Thimmig en airplane
 

Hello

Many Thanks
It helps me quite a lot further. and clears up some uncertain timeperiods in my quests.

best regards
Herman

Re: III/NJG.1 1941 Thimmig en airplane
 

Adding a bit to Necker's post, Thimmig was an Oberleutnant and Gruppenadjutant of V.(Z)/LG 1 under Walter Grabmann until transferred on 16.04.40 presumably to Stab/ZG 76 along with Grabmann. He claimed 8 RAF bombers with 2./NJG 1 adding a further 10 victories with Stab III./NJG 1. Thimmig was awarded the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold on 12.07.43. He claimed 4 victories with Stab/NJG 4 the last 3 were B-26's on 8.07.44.

Sources:
Eimannsberger, Zerstörer Gruppe.
The Luftwaffe 1939-1945. (www.ww2.dk)
Scherzer, Die Träger des Deutschen Kreuzes in Gold der Luftwaffe.
Wood, OKL Fighter Claims.
Foreman et al., Luftwaffe Night Fighter Combat Claims.

Tom

Re: III/NJG.1 1941 Thimmig en airplane
 

Hi!
I am Wolfgang Thimmigs grandson and I found this thread when searching information about my grandfather on the net. I know for sure that he had G9+BR as initials on his plane. I wonder if we perhaps could exchange some more information about my grandfather?
Best regards

Re: III/NJG.1 1941 Thimmig en airplane
 

Interesting but curious. G9+BR would indicate an aircraft belonging to 7./NJG 1. Thimmig served with 2./NJG 1 and Stab III./NJG 1.

Regards,
Tom

Re: III/NJG.1 1941 Thimmig en airplane
 

Thanks Tom

I'll look into it again. But the story seems quite solid. But you never known.

Regards
Herman

Re: III/NJG.1 1941 Thimmig en airplane
 

Hello all and especially Mr. Thimmig,

Some minutes ago I have written a large answer with
- specific details about his career with the I./NJG 1 including all known losses of British bombers,
- the happy circumstance that I have several pictures (some in colour) of Wolfgang Thimmig,
- other references which do characterize his leadership and personality (mainly drawn from so called Weihnachtszeitungen)

when I somehow was thrown out and had to log in. This resulted in the loss of this answer. In short: Thimmig had 7 confirmed victories with the 2./NJG 1 in his function of Staffelkapitän, mostly with his regular Bordfunker Fw. Hans Steckemetz who followed him to Twente, when Wolfgang became Gruppenkommandeur of the III./NJG 1.

I would very much enjoy an exchange of information with his grandson mr. Thimmig, you certainly will enjoy the copies of texts and pictures I can provide.

Best wishes, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,

Marcel Hogenhuis (www.fliegerhorst-venlo.net)
Kaldenkerkerweg 10
5913 AD Venlo / Netherlands
Tel. +3177-3200914
marcelhogenhuis@gmail.com

Re: III/NJG.1 1941 Thimmig en airplane
 

Hello all,

Wolfgang Thimmig, 22 Nachtabschusse and 1 Tagesabschuss.

Thimmig was in February 1941 with the Erg. Staffel NJG 1.

Regards and best wishes,

René Brachten

www.nachtjagd.eu

Re: III/NJG.1 1941 Thimmig en airplane
 

Hello René,

Could you give the source for this fact/assumption? I have a faint indication that - in contrast to what is commonly is believed - that the 2./NJG 1 temporarily was led by Lt. Reese as 'stellvertretend' Staffelführer.

All the best, Marcel

Re: III/NJG.1 1941 Thimmig en airplane
 

Marcel,

The source for this fact/assumption is the research work and correspondence of an experienced Luftwaffe researcher and an former I./NJG 1 member. This person corresponded with many former Nachtjagd crews after the War. I'll check his sources.


Regards,
René

Re: III/NJG.1 1941 Thimmig en airplane
 

Hello René,

Photographic evidence from the Siecke collection shows that Thimmig was either at Stade between 4 and 19th January when operations were hampered by heavy snow and fog OR between 5 and 16th February. Between 19th January and 5th February all flying personel were on leave.

When Thimmig was with the Erg.St. NJG 1 in February 1941, it must have been the second half of that month, perhaps continueing into March 1941.

Who is that former I./NJG 1 veteran and researcher, perhaps we can sort out these questions directly.

All the best, Marcel

Re: III/NJG.1 1941 Thimmig en airplane
 

Here is what we have from our notes:

THIMMIG, Wolfgang. “Ameise”
(DOB: 04.10.12).
04.40 Oblt. and Adj. V./LG 1.
07.10.40 Oblt., appt Staka 2./NJG 1 (to 06.06.42).
06.06.42 Hptm., appt provisional Kdr. III./NJG 1 (to 01.06.43).
28.09.42 Hptm., awarded Ehrenpokal.
01.06.43 (19.06.43?) Hptm., appt Kdr. III./NJG 101 (to 30.09.43).
23.08.43 awarded the DKG.
20.10.43 Hptm., appt Kommodore NJG 4 (to 14.11.44).
01.03.44 promo to Maj.
01.10.44 promo to Obstlt.
08.02.45 Obstlt., appt Kommodore NJG 2 (to 08.05.45).
Credited with 23 victories.
†06.11.76.


Tom Kracker's database has:

Thimmig, Wolfgang. "Ameise" - Obstlt. - Born;10/4/1912 - 23vicories - V.(Z)/LG-1, Stab/ZG-76, 2./NJG-1 (6/41), Kdr. III./NJG-1 (6/42-5/43), Kdr. III./NJG-101, Kdr. NJG-4 (10/43), Kdr. NJG-2 Bf 110, Do 217 in NJG-4, Ju 88G in NJG-2; Bf 110 & Do 217 in NJG-101 DKG(7/12/43), EP, EK 1 & 2, Wound Badge,Night Fighter Operational ClaspOne known victory, a Whitley on 18 June, 1941 while in 2/NJG-1, no location. Another, a Wellington on 10-11 July, 1941, no location. A Wellington the night of 15-16 July, 1941. Another, a Whitley V 20 km northeast of Bocholt on 16-17 August, 1941. A Hampden on 1 September, 1941, no location. A Halifax II of RAF No. 103 Sq. near Burrserveen, 4 km S of Haasksbergen Holland, the night of 27-28 August, 1942. Another this same night, a Wellington III of RAF No. 156 Sq. at Epe, 4 km S of Gronau Germany. A Stirling east of Hengelo on 3 February, 1943. A Halifax and a Lancaster on 1 May, 1943. Two Halifax on 5 May, 1943, opposing the RAF Dortmund raid. Three victories on 24 May, 1943 opposing a Dortmund raid; two Wellingtons and a Halifax. A "4 mot" at Morsang, S of Paris, on 21 April, 1944. Another triple victory on 8 July, 1944; three B-26's, one at Amiens, one at Senarpont and one at Seine Bay. Thimmig was Kdr III/NJG-101 in June, 1943. He commanded NJG-2 from February 1945 to the end of the war. Bowers/Lednicer, 24 victories. Deceased 6 November, 1976.

We hope that this helps.


HLdZ
DGS

Re: III/NJG.1 1941 Thimmig en airplane
 

Hello Doug,

Thank you for your interesting input!

I agree almost completely with your list, though the Kracker-data is clearly out-dated (most locations/identities of Thimmigs victims are known).
But, I wrote 'almost': a so called Weihnachtszeitung (Christmas Journal) of the 2./NJG 1 end 1940 - full of humorfull descriptions of the Staffel personalities - leaves no doubt that the 2./NJG 1 was led by Staffelführer Lt. Reese, after the promotion of Oblt. Streib to Hptm. and Gruppenkommandeur I./NJG 1 on 7th October 1940. In the journal and another war time chronic of those days there is no reference to Thimmig (yet).

This, in combination with the fact that Thimmig had a conversion course at the Erg.St./NJG 1 in February 1941, suggests that he must have joined the 2./NJG 1 as its new Staffelkapitän by the end of February 1941 at least, because I have a picture of him in Eindhoven, shortly before the whole I./NJG 1 moved to Venlo on 18th March 1941.

Perhaps such temporarily conversion courses were not recorded in the Personal Akte? It would also interesting to know how long such conversion course lasted, I will check some Flugbuch copies for that.

All the best from Venlo/Holland, Marcel Hogenhuis

Re: III/NJG.1 1941 Thimmig en airplane
 

I have now looked over ten different abschussmeldungen from my grandfather's time as Kommandeur for III./NJG 1 and I have found out the his usual number was G9+AD. However, on three of them, apparantley the ones known to me earlier, G9+BR was used. From what I have understood, it wasn't unusual to switch around aircraft. Also, keep in mind that 7./NJG 1 belonged to III./NJG 1 and that they all were based at Twente.