[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

While probably the commander's previous aircraft, 9K+AA was apparently not flown by him at the time of its forced landing. According to Gillet's "Les Victorires de l'Aviation de Chasse Francaise" Vol 1, unnumbered pages for photo section, Gillet lists the unit as "Anfklärungsschwarm I./KG51," and the pilot as Obfw Kurt Ernst. It was shot down at 16:00 hours on 12 May on "la ferme Pommard."

In Peter Cornwell's new book: TBoFrT&N the respective entry is:

"May 12, 1940: Stab I./KG51 Heinkel He111H. Believed shot down by S/Lt Hutter of GC II/1 during reconnaissance sortie and belly-landed on Ferme de Pommard, 5 km south-east of Chablis 3.15 p.m. Possibly also attacked by Adj Dumas of DAT Châteaudun, and Capt de Rivals-Mazères of CEAM. Oberfw K. Ernst, Oberfw M. Groth, Fw L. Gehring, and Fw J. Hofbauer all captured unhurt. Aircraft a write-off."

My note with this loss speculates that Peter didn't pick up the aircraft code as 9K+AA because it didn't fit the unit of crew assignment, although Gillet's photo clearly shows the aircraft with that code.

I think that this identification further strengthens the argument that this was a "hand-me-down" aircraft from the Geschwader Stabschwarm that had only recently re-equipped with the Ju88.

Regards,