Luftwaffe and Allied Air Forces Discussion Forum

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- - Mystery Photo Jan 44 (http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=63912)

Chris Goss

20th August 2023 13:44

Mystery Photo Jan 44

A recent ebay seller was offering a portrait photo of a Fw with the Frontflugspange and possible pilot's badge on the back of which was 31.1.44 bei Asseln Fw E Hilgrube +. It also had nachtjäger. Neither Matti nor I can match this with anything so does anyone have any thoughts?

Adriano Baumgartner

20th August 2023 13:48

Re: Mystery Photo Jan 44

Maybe Obfw. Ernest Hillgrüber - JG 27?

Chris Goss

20th August 2023 13:54

Re: Mystery Photo Jan 44

He was actually Ofw Walther Hillgruber and lost with 1./JG 27 17 Apr 43

Chris Goss

22nd August 2023 09:31

Re: Mystery Photo Jan 44

Think we might have found him-year out, wrong rank, wrong christian name, closer scan reveals it is a fighter spange and photo was developed in Berlin
1945-01-31
7./NJG 4 Ju 88 G-1 714748 3C+MR - H - 10:45h. 1km südl. Asseln, ca. 15km südöstl. Paderborn.
Beim Werkstattflug aus bisher ungeklärten Gründen abgestürzt.
Uffz Gustav Peters +
Uffz Gerhard Sack +
Uffz Heinz Hilgrube + (*3.10.1924, Berlin)
Gefr Gerhard Leistikow +

Adriano Baumgartner

22nd August 2023 11:59

Re: Mystery Photo Jan 44

Good matching Chris! Well done

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