KG53 at France in 1940
 

Hello Gents,
Along with my English friend we are working on the fate of He111 A1+LN of KG53 which crashed in November 1940.
We have gleaned alot of information from the fine work of Michael Holm, and are now searching for photographs of the airfields
Lille-North AND Lille-Vendeville. Several sources suggest that during KG53's stay in France both airfields were used. Does anyone have any informaton on this please?
Beste regards.
Manfred

Re: KG53 at France in 1940
 

Hello Gents,
sorry for place again. Any specialist know some about KG 53 where staying at Lille-Vendeville or Lille North?
Best greetings.
Manfred

Re: KG53 at France in 1940
 

Hi Manfred.

Aircraft LN would be from 5. Staffel in II. Gruppe of KG53. de Zeng and Stankey say that II. Gruppe of KG53 transferred to Lille-Nord 12th July 1940. I have a Flugbuch to a man from 5./KG53 but he refers only to 'Lille' as the base from which he transferred to Radom on 30th April 1941, which does not help much, but Heinz Kiehl in his book on KG53 quotes an airman saying 'we moved from Lille-Nord to Grojek near Radom in Poland.'

Re: KG53 at France in 1940
 

Hello Tim,
thanks a lot for given also a well source. That's the point. All fine sources define KG 53 in 1940/41 staying at airfield Lille Nord (th). Within II. Gruppe 5th. Staffel. An A.I.1(k) report, dated 17.11.1940, contain... The course ( of A1+LN ), taken from maps, was Vendeville - North Foreland ... Birmingham.., by S.D. Felkin.
Let me know if it will be for interest for you (please also other members) to read this report.
Best wishes.
Manfred

Re: KG53 at France in 1940
 

Hi Manfred

I think it was quite normal for aircraft to transfer temporarily to other bases, if they were nearer to the target or for other logistical reasons. I have not checked the map so do not know if that applies in the case you mention.

Best wishes
Tim O.

Re: KG53 at France in 1940
 

Hello Tim,
thanks again. Vendeville in the south west and Lille North more north east, diametral.
Target of this sortie Coventry and/or Birmingham. First navigation point North Foreland...
Quite strange.

Best wishes
Manfred

Re: KG53 at France in 1940
 

Hello Tim, Gents,
I have take a look about three sources.
KG 53, 2.Gruppe (within A1+LN). July 40 - June 41.
Henry L. deZeng: Lille- Ronchin; Michael Holm: Lille North; Lexikon der Wehrmacht:Lille-Vembrechis (Wambrechies). All villages/airfields north of Lille
On Lille Vendeville airfield, SW of Lille, same time, KG1, KG2; nothing about KG53 use this airfield also.
Still hope for again help.
Thank you.
Manfred
Please not at last. Thanks for most excellent works by Henry, Michael and LdW

Re: KG53 at France in 1940
 

Hallo Manfred,

I./KG53 was located at Vitry-en-Artois (South of Lille) from 12-07-1940 till 18-06-1941.

Attacks by I.KG/53 on England would start at Vitry, but often they would first assemble with the whole Geschwader at Lille Vendeville.

II./KG53 was at Vendeville

Source: Kiehl and my own collection.

Best regards, Thomas

Re: KG53 at France in 1940
 

Hello Thomas,
thank you for your excellent part. Before, not at last, I was unsure. Henry was not noted KG53 on Vendeville airfield at time. Please your own collection about this facts, may you will share some of it with the forum?
Best regards.
Manfred