1./ZG 52 14. Mai 1940

[hanshauprich]

At that day, the ZG 52 has an dogfight with the french GCII/5 north of Thioneville (Diedenhofen) Two 110 crashed of the Airfield Wengerohr (home of ZG 52 at that time) and one (A1+IH) crashed near the small french village Fameck near Thionville. I search for the name of the Crew. Becme they PoW?

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

According to the revised EOE (Eagles Over Europe) Data Base: "May 14,1940: 1./ZG52 Messerschmitt Bf110C. Both engines set alight under attack by Sgt Salès of GC II/5 in combat south of Thionville and abandoned east of Fameck 4.00 p.m. FF Fw Otto Weckbach baled out too low with damaged parachute and captured badly injured - died May 16, BF Uffz Karl Klaus killed. Aircraft 100% write-off."

[robert]

Perhaps the pilot didn`t bail out? The plane on the photos was quite smoothly crash-landed.

Robert

[Peter Cornwell]

Hans/Robert,

May I urge caution. As far as I know the photos of A2+IH have not been positively identified as the Bf110 down at Fameck on May 14, 1940.

[robert]

Yes Peter you are right. It was only my guess.

Regards

Robert

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

I've examined this now as well, and Peter is right. This almost can't possibly be the crash at Fameck, which is why he didn't attribute a well known series of photos to this wreck in the EOE DB (which he's in charge of). Can anyone else provide any of the following:

a)Proper ID the photos of the FL Bf110 A2+IH (I note that Gillet made the same mistake in Vol 1 of his French Victories book).
b) Provide any photo references for the correct crash at Famek on 14.5.40?
c) Provide any photos of the two Bf110s from I./ZG52 that FL back at their base in Germany after the combat on May 14th?

Thanx,

[Stig Jarlevik]

I agree with Peter and Larry

Looking at the photos in Gillet's book, the hood seems to be intact which, to me, would be impossible if anyone had bailed out. We can rule out this one as being the individual discussed.

Cheers
Stig