Hello
Hans-Heinz Augenstein COULD have been with the 3./NJG 1 (part of I./NJG 1 in Venlo) between July and December 1942 before his transfer to the 7./NJG 1 (part of III./NJG 1 in Twente) but I wonder what the original source for this info has been. I do have sincere doubts because:
On
www.luftwaffe.cz it is for instance said that he had one nocturnal victory on 1th August 1942 with the 3./NJG 1 (a Wellington near Ahlhorn) which seems virtually uncorrect: this area was far beyond the 'hunting area' of the 3./NJG 1. What is more: in the very same night, two other pilots of this 3./NJG 1 claimed two bombers near Dilsen and Maaseyk which is within the operational range of Venlo airfield where the 3./NJG 1 was stationed at that time. In other words: there is strong evidence that the 3./NJG 1 was not near Vechta or Ahlhorn that night, but in Venlo.
Therefore: it is unlikely that Augenstein belonged to the 3./NJG 1 and regarding the location of Ahlhorn, I wonder wether it should have been 3./NJG 3 because the I./NJG 3 operated from Vechta, south of Ahlhorn.
I am convinced that the future will show that my suspicion is justified.
Marcel Hogenhuis
www.fliegerhorst-venlo.net