Fritz Kuhlmann AGO Industrieschutzstaffel ?
 

On January 11, 1944 a photo was made over Ochersleben, with a B-17 on fire and an FW 190 behind it.
The accompanying text states:

"Although the 8,8 anti-aircraft guns near Oschersleben fired, four test pilots of the AGO Fighter plant: Otto Stoll, H.-W Hopfer, Helmut Born and Fritz Kuhlmann started with their Fw 190 A-7 of AGO own Industrieschutzstaffel (Industrial protection squadron) and began dogfighting West of Oschersleben.

One of them (H.W. Hopfer) was shot down near Hanover and died. Otto Stoll later returned safe and Helmut Born too. (He died in an accident with an Me 262 in '45)
Fritz Kuhlmann remained with his Fw 190 over the factory alone and begann dogfight. During the bombing the B-17 "Blonde Bomber", 42-3057, 91st BG, was shot out of the formation.

The photo was taken above the village Neindorf only a Minute after.

In the course of the battle, the German fighter pilot was also hit: In both legs.

Fritz Kuhlmann bailed out, but lost his leg because of the serious injuries."

My question is if this account is accurate? I can't find any reference to a Fritz Kuhlmann as fighter pilot, let alone him being credited with a B-17. Your help is much appreciated!

Re: Fritz Kuhlmann AGO Industrieschutzstaffel ?
 

Ivo

An Uffz Fritz Kuhlmann *21.09.09 Ernhofen Altdorf EM 67009/12 of 4./JG 53 was injured in a crashlanding after combat on 28 May 1940 (Source NVM). In BofF book he is listed as Uffz E Kuhlmann but I think this is confusion with Erich Kuhlmann of 3/JG 53 in the same JG at that time.

This could be your guy

Regards

Craig

Re: Fritz Kuhlmann AGO Industrieschutzstaffel ?
 

Ivo,

Ofw. Hans-Walter Hopfer was flying Fw-190A-7 Wnr. 430182 of unit indicated.

Groet, Leendert

Re: Fritz Kuhlmann AGO Industrieschutzstaffel ?
 

Thank you Craig en Leendert!

Does anyone have an 'anerkennungs' document/film for the 11 January 1944 mission and if so, is Fritz Kuhlmann on it?

TIA....
Ivo

Re: Fritz Kuhlmann AGO Industrieschutzstaffel ?
 

Sorry for the late reply. Fritz Kuhlmann was a test pilot at the AGO Flugzeugwerke. The sequence of events is correct as described. Verification was based on the local geography, which can be inferred from the photograph and the positions of the individuals involved. 1. Murdoch (pilot) was found with an unopened parachute not far from the Ausleben Mill; 2. Kuhlmann parachuted down, severely injured, between Ottleben and Ausleben; 3. his cockpit canopy fell onto the grounds of the Ernst company; 4. according to consistent eyewitness accounts, the bomber turned back toward the forest (Hohes Holz); and 5. it crashed there with the dead radio operator (Morris) on board.
Incidentally, according to my latest research, Born was also shot down (this is mentioned in a private letter from the chief pilots' secretary at AGO). He was uninjured, though he made a crash landing near Hordorf. Thus, Stoll was the only one who completed the mission that day in his own aircraft.
After that, incidentally, the ISS was discontinued and combat missions were prohibited.
Viele Grüße
René

Re: Fritz Kuhlmann AGO Industrieschutzstaffel ?
 

I am not quite following this

Did ISS AGO loose two aircraft?
My sources only indicate Obfw Hopfer in WNr 430182

In which aircraft was Kuhlmann shot down?

B Rgds
Stig