Re: Oblt Hans-Heinz Augenstein of III./NJG1
Thank you very much Hennie, Leonventer and Doug for your help.
I have now compiled the definitive answer, thanks to a Dutch friend!
"Frank Burdett’s crew had been flying for over six hours and were on the return flight from Leipzig, when at 05.34hrs disaster struck. Published versions of the incident record that nightfighter ace Oberleutnant Hans-Heinz Augenstein attacked and shot down Frank’s Lancaster.
However, new correspondence from Dutch aviation historian Dick Breedijk reveals Augenstein’s claim was just outside Bremen, Germany: ‘The crash time in all the books would mean the Lancaster flew 450km in around three hours – this is not possible! But an Oberfeldwebel Heinz Vinke claimed this night: ‘Lancaster, 15km NW of Apeldoorn, 4800m, 05.34hrs’. This is the correct claim!’
Unfortunately for Frank’s crew, 23-year-old Vinke of Messerschmitt 110G unit 11/NG1 was one of the Luftwaffe’s top nightfighter aces. The lumbering Lancaster crashed in flames in a field at Elspeet, Holland."
Great to solve a 64 year old mystery!
|