Att: Don Caldwell

[Dean M. Wick]

Hi Don: I've been doing a little cross referencing Re: my inquiry to you on Obfw. Max Martin. I'm wondering if this sounds feasible to you. In your response you had stated your notes indicated he was with 3/ZG76, flying bf109's, and his claim was on 26.9.39. I'm wondering if this was in fact 3/ "Jagdgruppe 176", which was later redesignated 6/ZG76, on conversion to bf110's? Further to this, both Chris Shores in "Fledgling Eagles", and Peter Cornwell in "Battle of France,T+N" confirm that on 26.9.39, both 2 and 3/ Jgr.176 were engaged in combat with French bombers, including Bloch 131's. The unit was flying bf109D's at the time. Although Martin is not mentioned specifically, the other circumstances seem to match up. I welcome your ( or anyone else's!) opinion on this. Thank you. Dean.

[Peter Kassak]

If I may add something:
It was fr sure JGr 176. Oblt. Lothar Ehrlich of 2. Staffel and Lt. Werner Guth of 3. Stafel claimed each one Bloch 131. (in second case some sources says Potez 63). also in second claim it is listed tht it was No.80 of GR II/55, Adj. Chef Girard.

These were first two victories of further II./ ZG 76. Redesignation came in ay 1940 with Bf 110s....

[Don Caldwell]

... as time, location, and equipment match up with Martin's activity. My notes on Martin were taken many years ago, long before "Fledgling Eagles", and "76" could have been confused with "176". I haven't updated my files on the Phony War and the FC recently, and am afraid I haven't yet found the money to buy Cornwell's book, which I hear is excellent.

Horrido!

Don

[Dean M. Wick]

Thanks Don, You as well Peter. Cheers. Dean