New Member/Uffz.E.Schwarz details
 

Hi! I'm a new member of this forum and I'd like to introduce myself. I live in the USA and my hobby is aviation history. My primary interest is in WW1 but I have been doing quite a bit in WW2 as well. I chose the user name Wolffchen because it was the name of some interesting WW1 airmen.

Over the last year I have been researching a bombing mission flown by the 8th A.F. over St. Nazaire on February 16, 1943. A bombardier on this mission was in a B-17 that was shot down but he survived and I'm writing up a memorial book on his life.

According to information given to me, his plane was most probably claimed by Luftwaffe Uffz. Erich Schwarz of 9./JG 26. I am seeking a little more information on Uffz. Schwarz.

Where was his unit stationed on February 16, 1943?
What kind of plane was he flying?

He was WIA on May 15, 1944 at Wevelgem. Did he survive the war? Any other details about him.


Any assistance with this would be greatly appreciated.

Very Best Regards, Wolffchen

Re: New Member/Uffz.E.Schwarz details
 

Hello!

Please try this link to Les Butler's website - he has hosted a website by Don Caldwell who has written many books on JG 26. I hope you find this useful.

Cheers

http://www.lesbutler.ip3.co.uk/jg26/schlageter.htm

Re: New Member/Uffz.E.Schwarz details
 

Hi Wolffchen,

I believe 9/JG26 were based at Wevelgem on 16 Feb 43

Regards

Andy Fletcher

Re: New Member/Uffz.E.Schwarz details
 

Welcome Wölffchen.

Do you have access do Donald Caldwell's JG 26 War Diary?

p. 469-471 & p.523

Looks like Erich Schwarz made a final claim against a Yak(-3) on 24-04-45.

At least we know he flew with JG 26 and continued to have success after he was wounded in 1944.

p. 547

15-05-44 WIA, but no further casualty listing, so we may assume he survived the war.

It would indeed be a good idea to get in contact with Donald Caldwell, but he doesn't frequent this forum, so you'll better get in touch through Les.

Re: New Member/Uffz.E.Schwarz details
 

Thank you very much everyone for the information you've offered! I'll obtain Don Caldwell's books on JG 26 and check on the web site.

Wevelgem, Belgium looks a long way (at least visually) from St. Nazaire, France where the action took place that day. The bombardier fell near Ploermel and noticed a German plane circling as he parachuted to the ground. Schwarz claimed a plane near Ploermel at the time the bombardier fell. I am wondering how much range the German planes had. It seems unusual to be stationed in Belgium with so much activity on the west coast of France. I don't have much knowledge of aircraft so this is also something to investigate.

Thank you again! It's really exciting to be able to learn more about these historic events and to fill out my memorial narrative.

VBR...Wolffchen :)