Heribert Koller from JG 54 is coming to Finland
 

Dear forum members,

It is my great pleasure once again to inform you about the coming event:

After Generalleutnant Günther Rall (2 visits), Wing Commander Robert Foster, General Vasilj Reshetnikov, Leutnant Klaus J.Scheer, Hauptman Peter Spoden (3 visits), Major Hans-Ekkehard Bob, Oberleutnant Walter Schuck and the Estonian pilots Hendrik Arro, Kaljo Alaküla, Valdo Raag and Feliks Prodo, we are proud to present our next foreign guest:

Mr Heribert Koller from JG 54 is visiting Finland on 9.-12. September.

Heribert Koller served in 5. and 6./JG 54, flew 350 combat missions and 49 confirmed victories. He was awarded with EK I and II, German Cross in Gold and Finnish Cross of Liberty, 4th Class.

What makes him especially interesting for the Finns is the fact that he flew here in the special unit Gefechtsverband Kuhlmey during the critical summer 1944, and because of bad weather, he had to bail out during a transit flight over Helsinki-Malmi airport on June 18, 1944. His Focke Wulf 190 "Black 12", or some parts of it, was "re-found" in 2006 at the Malmi airport area. The parts are now at the Finnish Aviation Museum.

Mr Koller was here in 2006, but that was a short private visit and no public lectures were held at that time. This time Mr Koller will give a short presentation at the Finnish Aviation Museum (near the Helsinki-Vantaa airport) on Saturday, September 11th at 14.00 o´clock.

Please read more details here: http://www.imy.fi/ajankohtaista/koller_2010.html
Unfortunately only in Finnish. On that website there is also a link to another page, where you can see pic of Mr Koller at the spot of his crash in 2006.

Don´t miss this very special event!

Best regards,

On behalf of the Finnish Aviation Museum Society
Raimo Malkamäki

Re: Heribert Koller from JG 54 is coming to Finland
 

Hi all,

just putting this up as a reminder.
Mr Koller will arrive here on Thursday.
We will visit his old base, Immola airfield on Friday.
There is also a chance to meet him, especially for you who live in Eastern Finland.

More details here: http://imy.fi/ajankohtaista/koller_2010.html

Best regards,
Raimo

Re: Heribert Koller from JG 54 is coming to Finland
 

In Revi Magazine there was a nice article about Heribert Koller and especially about the last flight of his "Black 12". Before he got lost in clouds and bailed out he managed to destroy a Russian Il-2 (at least that is what he said to the article´s author). The article´s author was even able to find Koller´s probable opponent in this case. However, Koller never filed a claim due to lack of witnesses..

FWIW

Jan

Re: Heribert Koller from JG 54 is coming to Finland
 

Hello Jan,

which Revi issue do you mean?

BR,
Maciej

Re: Heribert Koller from JG 54 is coming to Finland
 

It was Revi No.51 (2004), pp.33-37 and the author was Jan Bobek who is a member of this board..

Jan

Re: Heribert Koller from JG 54 is coming to Finland
 

Hello,

although somebody might ask if I can be totally objective regarding this matter, but I still dare to say that the visit of Mr Koller was a major success.
He really saw that Finns have not forgotten the help they got from the Gefechtsverband Kuhlmey in summer 1944.
I saw many touching and unforgettable moments during those three days.

Please take a look on some pics here, taken at the Finnish Aviation Museum:

http://www.imy.fi/ajankohtaista/koller_kuvat2.html

Best regards,
Raimo

Re: Heribert Koller from JG 54 is coming to Finland
 

Good that Heribert Koller made it to Helsinki again!
He is simply amazing :)

I wonder what we will be doing in his age ...