[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

Many years ago I posted a request for information about Lt. Hans Schmidt, a pilot with I./ZG52, and after June, 1940, II./ZG2. At the time, we didn't have a date of birth or the Staffel he belonged to. Not even the Hans Ring/Bock victory lists indicated the Staffel he belonged to. I now know that his DoB was 09.01.13, and that he was issued an EKM # with 2./ZG52, which should cover his time during the Western Campaign of 1940. In June, 1940, this unit was renamed 5./ZG2, where Schmid fought through the Battle of Britain.

This score would have made him one of the highest scoring Zerstörer pilots during 1940, with a reported 15 victories to his credit, although he was not awarded the RK during 1940. To my knowledge, no photos have ever surfaced of his Bf110 and no Bf110 from 2./ZG52-5./ZG2 illustrates scoreboard during anytime in 1940.

Here is what I know about his victory claims, as reported by Ring/Bock:

During the WC, these two are listed as confirmed victories;
1) 10.05.40 Marane 406
2) 11.05.40 Morane 406

The Ring/Bock victory lists have an additional five estimated (turks) victories to the end of the WC:

3) 14.05.40 Unknown Type
4) 14.05.40 Unknown Type
5) 27.05.40 Unknown Type
6) 27.05.40 Unknown Type
7) 03.06.40 Unknown Type

During the Battle of Britain, presumably with 5./ZG2, these "estimated" (turks) victories are listed:

8) 08.08.40 Spitfire
9) 08.08.40 Blenheim
10) 11.08.40 Spitfire
11) 12.08.40 Spitfire
12) 13.08.40 engl Jäger
13) 16.08.40 Spitfire
14) 30.08.40 Unknown
15) 02.09.40 Unknown

My questions are:

1) Since these victory lists were compiled many years ago, has any of the "estimated" victories been confirmed, or new dates established for them?

2) Has any information surfaced (FB, Photos, etc) that gives the codes used on Schmid's a/c?

3) Have any photos surfaced of any 2./ZG52 or 5./ZG2 Bf110s that have scoreboards during 1940 showing how his victory tabs might have been displayed?

4) Since Schmid survived the war, did anyone ever interview him, or publish any accounts of his experiences during 1940?

5) Does anyone have or know of the existence of his FB?

According to the deZeng/Stankey 2015 LOCS Bio:

"SCHMID, Hans.
10.05.40 Lt., I./ZG 52. 27.05.40 Lt., I./ZG 52.
11.08.40 Oblt., II./ZG 2.
28/29.03.42 Oblt., 6./NJG 3.
29.03.42 Oblt.,
29.04.42 Oblt., 6./NJG 3.
05.04.44 Oblt., 3./NJG 100.
06.07.44 Oblt., 1./NJG 100.
05.44 Oblt., Staka 1./NJG 100.
07.07.44 Oblt., 1./NJG 100.
19.01.45 Oblt., I./NJG 100.
17.04.45 Hptm., I./NJG 100.
Credited with 13 night and 15 day victories.
Survived the war.
Credited with at least 4 victories, perhaps as many as 16."

This was an important Zerstörer pilot during 1940, and I'd very much like to document his aircraft with at least one color profile. Does anyone have any info or photos that would further this effort?