Hi,

Recently bought this photo of a bomber crew with some interesting information on the back.
Can the crew be identified and is there a RK holder there?
Does anyone know the eventual fate of the crew if they can be identified?

This is the info on the back on the photo.

Thanks

Rick

Re: Help identifying bomber crew - RK holder?
 

The name on the back is Ofw Karl Müller of 1./KG 2 who was killed 3-4 Feb 43. I believe that Tim Oliver has some items from Müller so might be able to comment if he is in the photo

Re: Help identifying bomber crew - RK holder?
 

Hi Rick, possibly Ofw. Karl Muller and crew of I/KG2.

Muller was awarded the Ritterkreuz as seen on the back of the photo on 15.10.42, previously also awarded the DKiG on 29.6.42.
The inscription on the rear says he was killed on 8.2.43 which is at odds with what I have, he was reported missing in action on the evening of 3.2.43 flying with 3/KG2 in Dornier 217E-4 U5+GL off the Yorkshire coast.

Best regs,
Steve.

Re: Help identifying bomber crew - RK holder?
 

Posted this while Chris was replying!!

Steve.

Re: Help identifying bomber crew - RK holder?
 

Hi Rick

Your post caught my eye and I have been doing side-by-side comparisons but I cannot personally see the Karl Müller that I know in your image.

Here are some images of Ritterkreuzträger Oberfeldwebel Karl Müller from my files for comparison. As already mentioned, he was lost off Yorkshire on 3rd February 1943 (not in the Soviet Union as recorded in some texts).

Re: Help identifying bomber crew - RK holder?
 

Probably someone who has mistaken a Carl Heinrich Müller for the RK träger.

Note the two different hand writings with the second, additional, one doing the mistake.

Original caption lists no RK, no unit, only name and relative.

Cheers
Stig

Re: Help identifying bomber crew - RK holder?
 

....& the aircraft in the background appears to be a Ju 88 not Do 17 or 217. Another attempt to make the photo desirable by mentioning RK?

Re: Help identifying bomber crew - RK holder?
 

Ok I can see that but who is this Carl Heinrich Muller who was a Staffel kapitan?

Re: Help identifying bomber crew - RK holder?
 

Hptm Karl-Heinz Müller was Staffelkapitän of 4.(F)/122 in January 1943.

Matti

Re: Help identifying bomber crew - RK holder?
 

How do you know he was a St Kap?
All it says on the photo is that he was a Flugkapitän meaning he had a civil background (Lufthansa perhaps?)

I am not saying he never was a St Kap just that the photo does not say so.

I have never seen any list of Lufthansa pilots, so cannot help you there.

Finally I also follow Chris thoughts that the aircraft is a Ju 88, a type KG 2 never operated.

Cheers
Stig