Researching the history of a radio operator
 

Hi all,

I hope this is the right place to ask this. My Grandfather was a radio operator in the Luftwaffe and part of a bomber crew. And unfortunately that is about all I know about him, since due to my parents divorce and also my grandparents sailing around the world and not being at home I never got to know my grandfather all that well and have no contact to my father's side of the family.
I want to know more though and start researching his history within the Luftwaffe and I am looking for hints on how to start. If possible I would like to start with online resources but visiting the archives in Freiburg would also be possible.
If by chance some of the knowledgeable people on this board already have some information about him that would be perfect of course. His name was Christoph Vogelsang

Thanks all!

Re: Researching the history of a radio operator
 

You can try and get a copy of his service record:

https://www.bundesarchiv.de/EN/Conte...ezogen-en.html

Re: Researching the history of a radio operator
 

Hi - my Great-Uncle was a Bordfunker aswell although sadly killed in an accident not long after he joined KG54. We didn't have any of his records at all other than his death card and a few photos, oh and his old Spanish guitar too. As suggested above we went to the Bundesarchiv and got a huge pack of his records back - mainly training records and his Soldbuch. Didn't cost much and I think we got the photcopies back about a month after we submitted the request. The only thing I might add is that he died relatively early on in the war and I gather later war records were mostly destroyed in bombing, as your grandfather survived his records might have been lost too, but worth checking and good luck.

Re: Researching the history of a radio operator
 

NIOLDUR,

Do you have his full name? Maybe his name is well known or do appear on some Flugbüche that have survived and Collectors do have (copies also)..so maybe some persons and members of this Board can be of further assistance if you could forward the name of your relative and rank.
For instance, if he suffered some kind of flying accident, it may be possible to track it down on the Archives.
IF you know in which unit he flew it would help further....or in what kind of airplane he flew. Some tips that may help some persons to try to help you.

A.