ju88 c-6

[grodis]

Hallo
I would like to have som info about the Junkers, ju 88c-6 that landed in Sweden on 17 october 1944 ,1400 pm. I would also like to know more about the pilot Gerdes and the navigator Dreilich.

Thanks

Grodis

[George Hopp]

The Ju 88 C-6, CD+PV, landed at Virkvarn, north of Oskarshamn, in Sweden. It was a test a/c of E'stelle Werneuchen. Although the pilot, Hptm Walter Gerdes, claimed to be defecting, authorities theorized that he was enroute to see his girlfriend, an actress on tour with a show for German troops in Norway and became lost. All this was seen as a serious event by the Germans. So, the assistant German air attache, Peter Riedel, was ordered to both destroy the a/c and kill Gerdes. Instead of carrying out his orders, Riedel surrendered himself to Swedish authorities to be held in protective custody.

Gerdes, in fear of being returned to Germany, unsuccessfully attempted suicide on 18 Oct 44, while the navigator, Helmer Drelich, asked to be returned to Germany.

This was all from p. 69-70 of "The Luftwaffe in Sweden: 1939 - 1945" by Bo Widfeldt. An excellent book.

[kennethklee]

The defection story in the Ju 88 is intriguing. What was the eventual fate of Hptm Gerdes?

Thanks,
Ken Lee

[grodis]

Thank You George,

That was really great information.
Do you know anything more abot det pilot Gerdes?
What happend whit him after he was sent back to Germany or did he never leave Sweden?

Thanks
Grodis

[kennethklee]

I was curious if anyone knew the eventual fate of Hptm Gerdes.

Thanks,
Ken

[grodis]

I think he stayd in Sweden during the war and went back to Germany after. But I don´t know what happend with him after that. If anyone know pleas tell me!

Grodis