Ofw. Max Lagoda
 

Dear forum members,

unfortunately I have to announce that a great friend, Oberfeldwebel Max Lagoda has passed away on 1st of April after a short illness.

Max Lagoda (born in 1920) served in 2.(F)/Aufklärungsgruppe O.b.d.L. 1941–43 as Bordfunker in Ju 88. He flew reconnaissance flights in the Eastern front, where his longest flight lasted 9 hours. Sometimes they flew as far as Teheran. In 1943 he was transferred to Germany to train new Bordfunkers. During the last months of the war he was commanding a Flak unit in Germany.

He was awarded with EK I and II, Krimschild, Frontflugspange in Gold mit Anhänger (250), Ehrenpokal and DKiG.
He has also written a book about his career, Ein Blick in die Vergangenheit.

I had the pleasure of being his host when he visited Finland in September 2014, and also met him again with some Finnish veterans in September 2015 in England.

He was a true gentleman, always positive and eager to tell about his experiences during the war, to "honour those who did not come back".

Some pictures and a story about his visit to Finland can be found here
(Unfortunately only in Finnish): http://www.imy.fi/uutiset.html?a200=106


Best regards,
Raimo Malkamäki

Re: Ofw. Max Lagoda
 

Dear Raimo,

Very sorry to read that - he was a really nice man. Thanks for letting the forum know.

All the best,
Andrew A.

Re: Ofw. Max Lagoda
 

What did Max Lagoda did after WWII? May Lagoda find peace in Heaven.

Edward L. Hsiao

Re: Ofw. Max Lagoda
 

>What did Max Lagoda did after WWII?

He lived a long and full life, and contributed in many ways.

In 2011, Helios published his autobiography, which is one of the finest Aufklärer memoirs available. The back cover of the book (see photo below) provides some details about his wartime and post-war activities.

Regards,
Leon Venter


Book details:
"Ein Blick in die Vergangenheit: Kriegserinnerungen eines Fernauklärers aus Russland und dem Orient", ISBN 9783869330471, 186 pages

It covers his training and operations, and is illustrated with 170 high-quality photographs. Also contains a complete loss list for the Staffeln of the Oberbefehlshabers der Luftwaffe, i.e. 1, 2, 3, and 4 (F)/Ob.d.L.

Re: Ofw. Max Lagoda
 

May he rest in peace.