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-   -   A certain Leutnant D., mentioned by Norbert Hannig (http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=50207)

Teresa Maria 11th January 2018 15:25

A certain Leutnant D., mentioned by Norbert Hannig
 
Dear All,
In his autobiography, Norbert Hannig mentions a certain Leutnant D.:

'The order bore the signature of Leutnant D. He was the unpopular
character I have already mentioned; the one I recognized from my time
at Werder. If anything, he had become even more supercilious and
demanding. He flew as wingman to the Staffelkapitän. We wondered if
this was not an act of personal sacrifice on the boss’s part. Nobody else
liked him or wanted to fly with him.
To give just one example of his behaviour. One afternoon not long
before Walter’s death he had come into our room. He was carrying a pair
of dirty shoes and said to me: “Hannig, clean these shoes for me. I need
them immediately.” He threw the shoes down at my feet. A sudden
silence descended on the room. Everybody was looking at the young
Leutnant. What was I to do? I couldn’t disobey the order of a superior
officer. I was just about to pick up the shoes when Walter got to his feet,
saying quietly: “Leave the shoes where they are, Norbert.” Turning to
our unwelcome visitor he added, “Herr Leutnant, please pick up those
shoes yourself or I will report this matter to the boss.” Outwardly
completely calm, Walter reached for his belt and cap. The Leutnant
hesitated, now unsure of himself. Then he grabbed the shoes and left the
room without another word.
Was this now a delayed response – his way of getting back at the
NCO pilots who made little attempt to hide their dislike of him? Having
borrowed all the necessary warlike accoutrements from members of the
ground staff, we fell in outside the barracks together with those of the
ground crews not actually working on the aircraft. The flight sergeant
called the parade to attention and reported to the Leutnant. With the boss
and the other Staffel officers watching the entire performance, we were
marched off towards the sports field. “A song!” the Leutnant ordered in
a loud voice.'

Do you happen to know the Leutnant's full name?
Thank you in advance.

Johannes 13th January 2018 06:07

Re: A certain Leutnant D., mentioned by Norbert Hannig
 
Hi Teresa

Always good to hear from you.

Hannig was promoted to Leutnant before October 1943 when he claims as this rank. His Staffel was 5./JG 54. At this time there was a Leutnant Heinz Drecker claiming within this Staffel He was born on 31st December 1921 and killed on 12th February 1944, completed his training with 3./JGr.Ost, and had sixteen confirmed claims in total.

The only other Leutnants in this period with 5./JG 54 were Rudolf Hoffmann and Ernst-Erich Hirschfeld, also Emil Lang himself, but guess we can discount him.

Assuming there were no Leutnant D's that didn't claim, and that Hannig actually did use the correct first letter of the Leuntnant surname, then Drecker is the likely candidate.

Kind Regards

Johannes

Teresa Maria 16th January 2018 20:44

Re: A certain Leutnant D., mentioned by Norbert Hannig
 
Dear Johannes,
Thank you very much for your answer. By the way, who was Hannig's Staffelkapitän at that time?
In fact, he had a few successive Staffelkapitäns and, as he mostly refers to them as 'Staffelkapitän', it isn't always clear whom he means. Some time ago, I posted another question about a Staffelkapitän whose name Hannig had not mentioned and didn't get any answer at all: http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showth...Norbert+Hannig
Maybe you happen to know whom he meant?

Johannes 17th January 2018 07:34

Re: A certain Leutnant D., mentioned by Norbert Hannig
 
Dear Teresa

Your welcome.

Max Stotz was Staffelkapitän of 5./JG 54 from 7th April 1943 until his death on 19th August 1943.

Kind Regards

Johannes

Teresa Maria 17th January 2018 22:14

Re: A certain Leutnant D., mentioned by Norbert Hannig
 
Dear Johannes,
Thank you very much for your answer. It is always good to hear from you too.
Was Max Stotz the Staffelkapitän who took Heinz Drecker as his wingman, or the one about whom I asked in my earlier post, the link to which I added to my yesterday's post?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johannes (Post 245937)
Dear Teresa

Your welcome.

Max Stotz was Staffelkapitän of 5./JG 54 from 7th April 1943 until his death on 19th August 1943.

Kind Regards

Johannes


VtwinVince 18th January 2018 18:23

Re: A certain Leutnant D., mentioned by Norbert Hannig
 
Kind of funny in that the German word 'Dreck' means dirt, or filth.

Teresa Maria 19th January 2018 14:51

Re: A certain Leutnant D., mentioned by Norbert Hannig
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by VtwinVince (Post 246058)
Kind of funny in that the German word 'Dreck' means dirt, or filth.

Yes, I had the same association as I read his name. :-)


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