German-born pilots with the RAF
 

I know that Germans flew with Bomber Command but I am sure that, several years ago, I read of a German-born pilot flying fighter sweeps over France with the RAF.
Unfortunately, I have forgotten the source although it was published.
Does anyone know the name of this officer or other German-born fighter pilots with the RAF?
Tango Echo Dog

Re: German-born pilots with the RAF
 

Ted,

It could have been Klaus Hugo Adam.
Pilot in 609 Sqn.
Now sir Kenneth Adam.

Jaap

Re: German-born pilots with the RAF
 

I think Jaap is right. The only one to my knowledge who flew in Fighter Command is Sir Ken.

Re: German-born pilots with the RAF
 

From my experience with Danish airmen the notion "xxx-born" is a bit difficult.

For instance I have a Danish R.A.F. fighter pilot born in Northern Schleswig in 1913. The area, formerly part of the (Kingdom of) Denmark was lost following the Danish defeat in the Second War of Schleswig.

Hence, the pilot was actually born in the then part of the German Empire (from 1918 the Free State of Prussia). Following the German defeat in 1918 the area was reunited with Denmark following a referendum on 15 June 1920.

The family was part of the Danish ethnic population in a German rules Northern Schleswig until 1920 (75 pct. of the population voted in favour of unification in this area). I consider this man Danish born, while he was actually born on in (what was then) Germany.

In another case, I have a later lead bomber pilot on D-day born in 1916 on the then Danish Virgin Islands. The islands were sold to the US on 31 March 1917 and the inhabitants became US citizens. I consider this man Danish born, while not Danish during his later wartime service.

Regards

Mikkel

Re: German-born pilots with the RAF
 

Not only Sir Ken but also his brother flew in 2ndTAF. Both born in Berlin.
And both had left Germany before the war and both had the German nationality.
And for me the only thing that counts is which nationality the man/woman has.

Jaap

Re: German-born pilots with the RAF
 

Presumably Sir Ken was of Jewish origin, like so many others who came here and fought the Nazis. Whether or not Jewish it was nice he was given the trust to do so as an RAF pilot as many Germans and Austrian Jews who fled to the UK and who served in the Army were hated / abused by some of their officers and only late in the war were given the opportunity to prove themselves in combat.

Re: German-born pilots with the RAF
 

This is the point: define nationality.
Nationality and citizenship do not necessarily overlap.
This was (and still is) a major issue in Central and Eastern Europe.

Re: German-born pilots with the RAF
 

Thanks Jaap, you are entirely correct.

Re: German-born pilots with the RAF
 

This is not strange, Goring nephew for example flew bomber mission over Germany as B-17 pilot.

Re: German-born pilots with the RAF
 

Dénes,

I left this discussion behind me more then 10 years ago, when I started the investigation about Dutchman serving in the Luftwaffe.
I have made this definition, nationality is the only thing that counts, for the framework of my own research.
So I leave the discussion about this to others.

Jaap