Lanaken, Belgium, 10.5.1940
 

Hello everyone,

Looking for unit and crews of the four Ju 87's that bombed and destroyed the Belgian headquarters building in Lanaken, Belgium.

This occurred early morning of May 10th, 1940, in conjunction with German paratroops' seizure of Fort Eben Emael and key bridges over the Albert Canal - and to prevent the Belgian Army from sending orders for the demolition of these bridges.

Commandante Henri Giddeloo and twenty soldiers were killed in the attack, which succeeded in preventing two of the three key bridges from being destroyed.

Thanks in advance if anyone has the unit, crew names!

markr

Re: Lanaken, Belgium, 10.5.1940
 

Hello ,

Perhaps this can help :

10/05/1940 Mopertingen
Ju-87 Collision in a dive over Mopertingen
3./St.G 77
Werl
Fw Becker Joachim ( POW )
Uffz Behnert H ( SAFE )
Crew bailed out

10/05/1940 Maastricht Bilzenbroad a few meters over de Belgian border
Ju-87 Collision in a dive over Mopertingen
3./St.G 77
Werl
Uffz Bussenius Ludwig pilot ( KIA )

Regards
Alain57

Re: Lanaken, Belgium, 10.5.1940
 

Alain,

Do known photos of either of these crashes exist?

Re: Lanaken, Belgium, 10.5.1940
 

Larry ,

Sorry , i really don't know.

Regards
Alain57

Re: Lanaken, Belgium, 10.5.1940
 

3./StG77 Junkers Ju87B-1 (5139). Crashed at Broekveld in Hoelbeek after collision with Uffz Bussenius in the dive over Mopertingen 5.25 a.m. FF Fw Jochen Becker baled out and captured unhurt, BF Uffz Erwin Albrecht killed. Aircraft S2+HL 100% write-off.

3./StG77 Junkers Ju87B-1 (5204). Crashed at Bilzenbaan, near Maastricht, after collision with Fw Becker in the dive over Mopertingen 5.25 a.m. FF Uffz Ludwig Bussenius believed baled out unhurt, BF Uffz Hans Behnert also baled out – returned later. Aircraft S2+JL 100% write-off.
Ludwig Bussenius was allegedly shot dead after landing.

Re: Lanaken, Belgium, 10.5.1940
 

What a coincedence! I was just reading your book 'The Battle of France, then and now' about these crashes. Thanks Peter for your update about these 2 crews. On the same day St.G.2 lost 5 Stuka's over Belgium and Holland.
Perhaps you know the fist names too of the men who survived the crash:
. Lt. W. Kaiser (FF) : 9./St.G. 2
. Ogefr. H. Cechini (BF) : 9./St.G. 2

. (bf) Uffz. Grauzow lost his life in the crash at Siegburg, Germany.
I can'f find the guy in VDK on line db. Does anyone know his first name?
Tia, kind regards and a happy new year to all members on the board.

Dirk

Re: Lanaken, Belgium, 10.5.1940
 

Hi Dirk, in reply to your post I have the following;
9/St.G.2 10.5.40 Lt.Wilhelm Kaiser,
9/St.G.2 10.5.40 Obgef. Heinrich Cechini,
4/St.G.2 10.5.40 Uffz R ? Grauzow. Sorry only have his initial!

Best regs,
Steve.

Re: Lanaken, Belgium, 10.5.1940
 

Hi Steve,
Thanks for your quick answer.
Grauzow 's a/c crashed in Germany so he is probably burried ar a private cemetery. And those are seldom attached to the online db on the Volksbund website.
Dirk

Re: Lanaken, Belgium, 10.5.1940
 

Robert Granzow.

Matti

Re: Lanaken, Belgium, 10.5.1940
 

Matti,

As always comes to the rescue, thx!
Dirk