Oblt Walter Fenske - 1st night "Abschuss"

[Andre Stewart]

Hi all,

Oblt Walter Fenske (3./NJG1) is credited with gaining his 1st night victory on 24 Oct '40 @ 2240hrs -- a Wellington over Bremerverde. His likely opponent was Wellington "HD-T" L7809 of 38 Sqn, all crew being KIA.

Can I know the source of this claim? It's not found in Tony Woods' list, nor in the NF Claims book.

Thanks

Andre

[Marcel Hogenhuis]

Hello Andre,

First of all the location was Köhlen, west of Bremervörde
Secondly, Walter Fenske belonged to the 1./NJG 1 since he joined the I./NJG 1 by the end of september 1940. He switched to and became Staffelkapitän of the 3./NJG 1 after the death of Oblt. Werner Hansen in february 1941.
Thirdly, the serial L7809 might be wrong, 38 Sqd.RAF lost another Wellington on 11/12th September 1940 near Ostende/Belgium also known with serial L7809. Fact remains that a Wellington of 38 Sqd.RAF crashed due to Walter Fenske.

There are several (primary) sources for this claim, claims in the NF claims book (Foreman, Matthews, Parry) are most unreliable unfortunately:

1. wartime photographs of the NJG 1 score table (in the collection of Christiaan Vanhee)
2. List of nocturnal victories by nightfighters, compiled by Flakscheinwerfer Regiment 1 (copy in my collection)
3. wartime, unpublished chronicle of the I./NJG 1 during their first two years of existence (copy in my collection)

All the best, Marcel Hogenhuis
www.fliegerhorst-venlo.net

[Andre Stewart]

Hello Marcel,

Nice to hear from you again, and thanks for the explanation.
BTW I've also sent you a p/m on this subject.

rgds
andre