KG 53 loss 05.04.1942

[Stijn David]

Hello,


Can anyone confirm a loss for the named unit: 1./KG 53 on 05.04.1942 in the Cholm area?

Most probably a He 111 that went down or at least one of the crewmembers was KIA on that day due to enemy action.

I have a record from Uffz. Reichhardt (KIA on that day)


Cordial greetings and thanks in advance,

[Khorat]

can´t find a plane loss of KG 53 this day.

khorat

[Khorat]

ah for the flying personal no loss of a Uffz. Reichardt, - so maybe ground, or staff.

khorat

[Brian Bines]

The KG53 book shows 6.4.42 Uffz. Fritz Reichhardt BO killed in Russia due to FE ( Feindeinwirkung ). other causes shown as Crash, Fighter, Flak or Unknown Cause. Like Khorat I could not find an aircraft loss this day involving him, would the FE indicate a death on the ground in a bombing attack for example.

[Stijn David]

Hello,


Thank you. I have his Wehrpass and can add the following on this person:

He was active from 12.02.1942 towards 05.04.1942 in Russia with the 1./KG 53. During that time he earned himself 24 operational flights.

He was awarded the operational clasp - bombers (Bronze grade) on 10.03.1942. So between 12.02 and 10.03 he did gather already 20 of the 24 operational flights.

The award document from this bomber clasp is signed by Oberst and Geschwaderkommandant Rath (From the KG 4). Is it possible that this Staffel of the KG 53 was placed under command of the KG 4 for this time being?

The Wehrpass also does note: 05.04.1942 Gefallen

Is it mayby another possibility that a plane of the KG 53 went on a mission towards for example Cholm on that day and it was hit by enemy fire causing his death? The death of 1 crewmember does offcoasre not mean that the complete plane was destroyed or crew was lost.

Any idea?

Cordial greetings and hanks already on the information

[Brian Bines]

Found at last Luft. QM's returns dated 9th March show on 7-3-42 1/KG53 F By Cholm Infanteribeshuss He111H6 4809 A1+KH 100% - Ff Uffz Erwin Mandt, B Uffz Fritz Reichardt, Bf Uffz Hans Lauholz,Bs Ogef Kurt Seelow all missing. The Admendment dated 27th May then shows Mandt, Lauholz and seelow returned unwounded and Uffz Reichardt gefallen.

[Stijn David]

Hello brian,


A very big thank you towards you! This recorded loss does point me more and more in the direction that that particular He 111 was shot down near Cholm as recorded.

The crew survived the crash and went inside the Cholm pocket. There the searched subject from me was KIA on 05.04.1942 or 06.04.1942. The otehr crewmembers survived the Cholm encerclement and after the opening of the encerclement on 05.05.1942 the still living crewmembers where evacuated.

This is something that did happen more (for example: Oberleutnant Kappes from the II./KG 27) => he and his crew where shot down on 06.04.1942 and he made it also in teh encerclement after the crash.

It is also a fact that for example Luftwaffe crews where allowed to leave the opened encerclement shortly after 5 may 1942. Heer counetrparts had to stay in because the situation was still not safe enough.

This could explain why the other amendment you referr towards from 27 May does record that the other crewmembers returned safe and Uffz. Reichhart was KIA.

This could also explain the entry "FE =Feindeinwirkung".

I will now check my CHolmsources to see if it correct.

Cordial greetings and a very big thank you