Request: Downed He 111
 

Looking for some information on an He 111 that crashed on 20 December 1939. I believe it may have been from KG 55. Last name of one of the crewmen was Otto. Any info would be appreciated.

chuck

Re: Request: Downed He 111
 

1939-12-21, 3.(F)/121, He 111 H-2, Spöck nordöstlich Karlsruhe, 2 Stunde nach Start abgestürzt. Vermutlich durch Überziehen ins Trudeln geraten. Bruch 100 %.
Flugzeugführer Uffz Keller, Kurt, +
Bordmechaniker Ogfr Otto, Ewald, +

Matti

Re: Request: Downed He 111
 

Thanks Matti. For your info the data on the back of the photo also shows a Lt. Wintermeyer although it does not indicate he died in the crash. Picture of crash attached and a earlier photo of Otto on-board a He 111.

Re: Request: Downed He 111
 

There was a third crew member, who was wounded, but not mentioned in the NVM. Maybe Lt Wintermeyer was the Beobachter in the aircraft.

Matti

Re: Request: Downed He 111
 

On the back of the photo it appears there may have been another Uffz listed but the name has either been erased or faded over time.

Re: Request: Downed He 111
 

Hi,

Can anyone translate this section for me please? "Vermutlich durch Überziehen ins Trudeln geraten".

Thanks,

Paul

Re: Request: Downed He 111
 

Chuck/Matti,

In trying to research this in the EoE LW Loss DB, I found the nearest KG55 loss as:

18 December 1939: "Stab KG55 Heinkel He111P-2. Crashed in fog and burned out near Mainburg. One crewman killed, two others badly injured and burned. Aircraft G1+GA 100% write-off."

Matti, do you have any further info on the fatality and injured crewmen?

Chuck, great photos!

Confirming Matti's info, the loss DB holding for 21 December 1939:

"3.(F)/121 Heinkel He111H-2. Stalled and crashed at Spöck, north-east of Karlsruhe during reconnaissance flight, exact cause unknown. (FF) Uffz Kurt Keller and (BM) Obergefr Ewald Otto killed, another crewman injured. Aircraft 100% write-off."

Re: Request: Downed He 111
 

@ Obdl3945,

"Presumed went into a tailspin due to stall" (as far as my English translation is good enough).

Best Regards
Norbert

Re: Request: Downed He 111
 

Hi, Norbert...

Thanks for helping out... appreciated :-)

Regards,

Paul

Re: Request: Downed He 111
 

The seller provided the KG 55 info. Certainly the names on the photo indicates that Matti's info is more correct. but notice the A in the crash photo.