Hptm Diether Lukesch KG76 Ar 234
 

Hello,

Does anybody know if Diether Lukesch is still alive. I read an article in a German magazin from 1995 when he was still alive.

Does anybody know how many missions he flew with the Ar 234?

Thanks,
Regards,
Roger

Re: Hptm Diether Lukesch KG76 Ar 234
 

Roger,

the only data I have is that between 24.12.1944 and 24.1.1945 he flew 12 missions (3 at night and 9 at day). He flew 8x +BT, 2x +KT, 1x +RT and 1x +ST with Einsatzstaffel III./KG 76. I had contact with him in 1999/2000.

regards,

John.

Re: Hptm Diether Lukesch KG76 Ar 234
 

John,

Thanks for the information. According to Manfred Griehl's book the 12 missions were as follows:

(1) 24 December, 1944, morning: Target Luettich, Namur, Ar 234 F1+BT
(2) 24 December, 1944, afternoon: Target Luettich, Ar 234 F1+RT
(3) 25 December, 1944, morning: ? not sure if Lukesch was on this mission
(4) 25 December, 1944, afternoon: Target Luettich, Ar 234 F1+?T
(5) 26 December, 1944, afternoon: Target Libramont, Ar 234 F1+KT
(6) 27 December, 1944, morning: Target Neufchateau, Ar 234 F1+BT
(7) 27 December, 1944, afternoon: Target Neufchateau, Ar 234 F1+BT
(8) 31 December, 1944, morning: northwest Bastogne, Ar 234 F1+BT
(9) 1 January, 1945, night: airfield near Gilze-Rijn, Ar 234 F1+ST
(10) 2 January, 1945, night: Target Antwerpen/Brussel, Ar 234 F1+BT
(11) 2 January, 1945, night: Target Mechelen, Ar 234 F1+BT
(12) 20 January, 1945, morning: Antwerpen, Ar 234 F1+BT

Perhaps there is more information in Smith, Creek's Monarch Ar 234 (which I unfortunately don't posses).

Regards,
Roger

Re: Hptm Diether Lukesch KG76 Ar 234
 

This information is not totally correct. From original documents:

(1) 24 December, 1944, morning: Target Luettich, Namur, Ar 234 F1+BT
(2) 24 December, 1944, afternoon: Target Luettich, Ar 234 F1+BT
(3) 25 December, 1944, morning: Target Luettich, Ar 234 F1+RT
(4) 25 December, 1944, afternoon: Targ Bahnhof Luettich, Ar 234 F1+KT
(5) 26 December, 1944, afternoon: Target Libramont, Ar 234 F1+KT
(6) 27 December, 1944, morning: Target Neufchateau, Ar 234 F1+BT
(7) 27 December, 1944, afternoon: Target Neufchateau, Ar 234 F1+BT
(8) 31 December, 1944, morning: northwest Bastogne, Ar 234 F1+BT
(9) 31/1 January, 1945, night: Raum Antwerp (Wettererk.), Ar 234 F1+ST
(10) 1/2 January, 1945, night: Target Antwerpen-Hafen, Ar 234 F1+BT
(11) 2 January, 1945, night: Target Mechelen/Brussel/Lutt, Ar 234 F1+BT
(12) 20 January, 1945, morning: Antwerpen-Hafen, Ar 234 F1+BT

As you might know the KTB of 9./KG 76 survived. However, the above listed info came directly from Lukesch and is from a copy of the "Einsatzstatistik" of all pilots of the Einsatzstaffel between 24.12.44 and 24.1.45. Hopefully Jan Horn will publish his book about the Ar 234 with KG 76 in the next few years. He has an amazing amount of material.

John.