[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

I'm trying to sort out the same information for our EoE color profile of the 2nd U8+AL, based upon the same set of ECPA photos that CJE is using. A few years ago our EoE research team acquired a very detailed roster of flying personnel and missions flown by personnel from 3./ZG26 during 1939-40. This included both pilots and BF.

From the beginning of the war (01.09.39) to 15.01.40 the Sta Kap was Hptm Friedrich Karl Dickoré. The unit converted from the Bf109D-1 to the Bf110C about 12.15.39, during the period of his command (flew a total of 18 missions). He was replaced as Sta Kap by a Hptm FNU Albrecht (5 missions), who apparently transferred out about 02.40.

The Sta Kap from 5.2.40 to 4.7.40 (LOCS Bio or 30.6.40 our mission summary) was Oblt Paul Förster (flew 49 missions). The unit was taken over by Oblt Hans-Jürgen Kirchhoff (flew only 6 missions), who was SD and KIA off the French coast in a Bf110D-0 on 18.8.40. His successor was apparently a Hptm FNU Moller (6 missions with unit) who transferred to night fighters about 01.10.40. I cannot find a "Moller" among the many listed on the LOCS that might give us a first name and more bio information.

Moller was followed by Hptm Gerhard Schoen, who then moved up to be a Gr Kdr on 23.11.40 (or 28.11.40 according to the LOCS) after 21 combat missions with 3./ZG26. According to the LOCS he took over as Gr Kdr of III./NJG1 on 11.7.40. According to information from "Merlin," the 3./ZG26 Sta Kap appointed in Nov, 1940 was Josef von Hoensbröch, who apparently succeeded Hptm Schoen. Von Hoensbröch isn't on the EoE roster, so as Chris Goss suggests, he may have moved from 1 Staffel to 3 Staffel in late November, 1940, and wasn't picked up by the list so late in the year. He may not have flown any missions with the 3 Staffel through the end of the year, and thus not have been listed.

Back to Chris Ehrengardt's question, I have no info on which of the Sta Kap the Bf110 U8+AL with five victory tabs, depicted in the ECPA Collection photos, could have been. If U8+AL was the Sta Kap a/c it would have had to have been the a/c of either Moller or Schoen, whose victory tallies are unknown to me.

The Bf110C-4 U8+AL that FL on the beach N of Wissant near Cap Blanc Nez, France, on 30.08.40 would apparently have been Moller's a/c, if it was being flown by the Sta Kap at that time. It is very likely, that at least the 2nd U8+AL (5 vict tabs) was not regularly assigned to the Sta Kap, but perhaps some other pilot. Since we don't have the individual victory claims for I./ZG26, it is impossible to know who this scoreboard may have represented during the Sept-Oct time frame (white nose).

I hope this helps. If anyone can provide the first name of either Albrecht or Moller (or Möller), or any information on the victory tallies for any of these pilots, please let me know.