Hi Rick.
Do you have the death card for Obermayer? If so, could I have a copy for my archive regarding this unit?
Have attached some images I have.
Regards,
Melvin
www.aircrewremembrancesociety.co.uk
Mission: Reconnaissance to Yeovil (Westlands factory), Dorset, England.
Date: 30th September 1940
Time: 4.30 p.m.
Unit: 1 Staffel./Fernaufklärungsgruppe 123
Type: Junkers Ju 88A-1
Werke/Nr.0385
Code: 4U + MH
Location: In the sea off Ventnor, Isle of Wight, England.
Pilot: Feldwebel. Friedrich Waack. 53506/64 – Killed.
Observer: Leutnant. Walter Frenzel. 57005/29 – Missing.
Radio/Op: Unteroffizier. Heinrich Essmann. 57005/140 – Killed.
Gunner: Unteroffizier. Johann Obermayer. 69004/52 – Killed.
Leutnant. Frenzel + Feldwebel Waack + Unteroffizier. Essmann + Unteroffizier. Obermayer + (Brownless)
REASON FOR LOSS:
Whilst engaged on a reconnaissance sortie to Yeovil crashed into the Channel off the Isle of Wight – exact causes not known. Possibly that engaged over Dorchester and starboard engine set alight by No. 87 Squadron Hurricanes at 4.30 p.m.
The crew were all killed in the crash, only Lt. Frenzel being officially listed as missing in action. The bodies of Heinrich Essmann and Johann Obermayer were washed ashore at Ventnor on October 11th and Friedrich–Karl Waack at Brook three days later.
All were originally buried at Parkhurst Military Cemetery but only Uffz. Obermayer and Fw. Waack have since been reinterred at the Soldatenfriedhof at Cannock Chase where their dates of death are incorrectly recorded as October 11th and 14th respectively. Two bodies have been washed ashore, and the following has been deduced from their effects. The identity disc (57005) has previously identified with a Reconnaissance Unit, and the Feldpostnummer (L00348) with 1.(F)/123. One of the men washed ashore a Uffz. Heinrich Essmann had his pay-book and Radio Operators certificate, which gave the following particulars;
3rd November 1937 Entered G.A.F. Sent to Grossenhain
1st November 1939 Aufklärungs Fliegerschule, Braunschweig
16th February 1940 Blindflugschule 1
21st March 1940 Ergängs Aufklärungs Staffel (F) Ob.d.L
23rd May 1940 1./(F)123 Würzburg
The date of this loss has been assumed from a diary, it had been completed up to the 03.09.40. A watch belonging to one of the men had stopped at 16.30 hrs. The last entry in the diary shows that the man was flying the + AH. Radio/Op Unteroffizier Heinrich Essmann aged 21 – Dead. Unteroffizier Johann Obermayer aged 26 – Dead.
Burial detail:
Friedrich Waack, Johann Obermayer rest in the Deutsche Soldatenfriedhof Cannock Chase, Staffordshire, England. Block 7 Graves 245, 246.