Ofhr. Karl-Heinz Hankammer, IV./JG 54, +31.12.1944
 

Dear all,

is there any information available about the loss of Ofhr. Karl-Heinz Hankammer of IV./JG 54 (14./JG 54?) on 31.12.1944?

I found an entry that he was listed as missing on this day while flying Fw 190 A-8, 171 064 in RL 2/III/1171, but without any additional information about a location and circumstances.
AFAIK, 14./JG 54 was involved in aerial combats with RAF fighters in the Münster - Osnabrück area on 31.12.44.

Quite interesting: I received a photo of his today's graveside in his hometown, still "decorated" with two crossed MG131 and a bent propeller blade...

Thanks in advance,

Heuser

Re: Ofhr. Karl-Heinz Hankammer, IV./JG 54, +31.12.1944
 

Hankammer returned on 31.12.44 but was killed later...I am interested in seeing the picture. Will follow up with more details in a few days.

Re: Ofhr. Karl-Heinz Hankammer, IV./JG 54, +31.12.1944
 

Ofhr. Hankammer did return from his mission on 31.12.1944. He might have returned to IV./JG 54 but that is not certain. He was killed on 23.4.1945 in a crash near Rangsdorf. The curcumstances are unknown, but probably not shot down. He initially was buried in a field grave, than in Rangsdorf and apparantly brought home by his relatives after the war.

If anybody has knowledge about what happened on 23.4.1945 I would be interested.

Regards,

John

Re: Ofhr. Karl-Heinz Hankammer, IV./JG 54, +31.12.1944
 

Dear John,

thank you very much for your help, much appreciated!

Maybe you could send me your e-mail address via PM, so I could forward the photos of the graveside.

Regards,

Heuser