Unknown Airman 'Karl'?
 

Hi all

Does anyone have records for a Luftwaffe aircraft shot down in the vicinity of Venlo on the Meuse on 20th October 1941? The attached photo is inscribed on the back with this detail, adding in a different hand to a message to 'My dear aunt and uncle' from 'Karl'.

It would be great to identify this man who appears in an album belonging to an airman from KG3.

Thanks
Tim O.

Re: Unknown Airman 'Karl'?
 

Nothing on 20th, but this is might fit:
1941-10-16, 12./KG 3, Ju 88 A-5, 883462, Heers bei Eindhoven, Absturz. Bruch 100 %.
Flugzeugführer Uffz Javornik, Karl, +
Bombenschütze Uffz Lux, Richard, +
Bordfunker Uffz Woll, Karl, +
Bordschütze Gefr Stendel, Horst, +

Matti

Re: Unknown Airman 'Karl'?
 

Hi Matti

Thanks for this. It may indeed be the aircraft. Although the photo is in the album of a man from KG3 there is no certainty this man flew with KG3. If he is a cousin for example, he may have flown with a totally unrelated unit. Any losses on 20th October might be relevant.

Thanks for your help.

Tim O

Re: Unknown Airman 'Karl'?
 

I have only one loss on 20th in Holland, but tha location is far from Venlo:
1941-10-20, 6./KG 2, Do 217 E-2, 1139, U5+AP, 7 km nordnordöstlich Schiphol, Absturz infolge Motorausfall bei Landeanflug. Bruch 100 %.
Flugzeugführer Hptm Czernik, Gerhard, +
Beobachter Ofw Spies, Robert, +
Bordfunker Fw Koch, Karl, +
Bordmechaniker Fw Walther, Horst, verletzt

Matti

Re: Unknown Airman 'Karl'?
 

Thanks again Matti.

Unless I am misreading, he may actually spell his name Karle with an 'e'. Checking my translation skills it actually says 'crashed' rather than 'shot down', as your two records do.

A second photo (attached) also seems to say 'Karle'. I have also included the reverse of the originally posted image.

The help is much appreciated.

Best wishes
Tim O.

Re: Unknown Airman 'Karl'?
 

There was a crash of a Do 217 of 4./KG 40 on 21.10.1941 near Mheer/Maastricht. Beobachter Uffz. Karl Fischer, 6.12.1915 Aalen, was killed. EM 53578/931. The crew was buried in Venlo.....perhaps somebody can check the Mob.-Number? Might be a KG 3 number....

Re: Unknown Airman 'Karl'?
 

MOB number 53578 was 3./Erg.KGr. 2.

Matti

Re: Unknown Airman 'Karl'?
 

Thanks for the help John and Matti. It seems there are a few possible options.

Best wishes
Tim O

Re: Unknown Airman 'Karl'?
 

"Karle" certainly is his pet name from being a child. Remember the photograph is dedicated to his aunt and uncle. "Karl" definitely is his christian name.

Regards

Roland

Re: Unknown Airman 'Karl'?
 

Indeed !

Must confirm this as German language native.

Horst Weber