Karl/Adolf FRANCKE KG30 1939
 

Hi guys

Who was the pilot who claimed the possible destruction of ARK ROYAL on 26 September 1939? His name appears in various books as Karl or Adolf and his rank as Gfr or Ltn. Did he commit suicide in 1941? Any facts would be appreciated.

Cheers
Brian

Re: Karl/Adolf FRANCKE KG30 1939
 

From a contemporary, I have Ogefr Karl Franke but nothing else-see Page 3 of Sea Eagles Vol 1

Re: Karl/Adolf FRANCKE KG30 1939
 

In Cajus Bekkers 'The Luftwaffe War Diaries' he is described as Corporal Carl Francke who had been a certified engineer and aircraft technician at Rechlin. In 1937 at Zurich he and Udet had demonstrated the Bf 109. It continues that just before the War he had vounteered to join the test team headed by his friend Hpt. Pohle rather than stay at Rechlin. Apparantly Francke dropped two bombs on the Ark Royal but did not observe a definite hit and did not claim it sunk. However because Luftwaffe Recon. could not later find the Ark Royal it was announced the Carrier had been sunk which caused Francke a lot of embarrasment. According to Bekkers book Goering bumped into Francke months later at Rechlin and said ' You owe me an aircraft carrier'.
I read somewhere else that Francke was decorated and promoted to Ltn. over the incident but cant remember which book,

Regards
Brian Bines

Re: Karl/Adolf FRANCKE KG30 1939
 

Dipl.Ing. Carl Francke was an employee of the Luftwaffe test center at Rechlin in Sept. 1939. In 1941 he became the director of the E-Stelle. In 1942 he went to Heinkel as a technical director. Francke was still alive in the eighties.

Regards
P. Achs

Re: Karl/Adolf FRANCKE KG30 1939
 

yes franke carl, see book aircraft of the aces ju88,s hes in there,hope this helps,
gary,

Re: Karl/Adolf FRANCKE KG30 1939
 

Thanks guys

So it was Carl Francke. What surprises me is that for someone with such an illustrious background should only be a Corporal!

Cheers
Brian

Re: Karl/Adolf FRANCKE KG30 1939
 

Hello Brian,

In democracy, it's normal that even a corporal achieved high ranks, if he is partic. democrate he could even become Chancellor..

Remi