Loss of Blitz He 111?

[Chris Goss]

Just obtained a photo showing the crash of the He 111 on a harvested field in Europe. It has the standard black distemper application (no fuselage band). At the rear of the starboard side of the fuselage (which would have been before the cross which is over painted) is CK or GK in white and the Wk Nr on the tail definitely commences 37 and finishes 5, possibly 3785 or 3795. There are leaves on the trees. Any thoughts gentlemen?

[Jim P.]

This would seem to be the best fit. (WNr. 3785 was lost with 6./KG 26 in Feb-41.)

He 111H-5, 3795, Nerdich, Oblt. Hans, , I., 2., KG 4, , , VE+CO, , 12-Apr-41, Killed in crash during take-off. Bf & Bm injured. B from 6./KG 26 also killed., , X.Fl.Korp/Mittelmeer, Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #3)-Vol.4; Steenbeck, Die Spur des Löwen, p.336, Stiegler, 15km südwestlich Vittoria, 90%, F, B Oblt. Hermann Haase, Bf Uffz. Fritz Pfeiffer & Bm Stfw. Friedrich Koletzke, , EHF Marienehe in Oct-40

[Chris Goss]

Jim

Sorry but I am confused by your response as helpful as it would be. Are you saying the crash was 2/KG 4 12 Apr 41 with members of 6/KG 26 on board? The +CK would indicate a 2 Staffel ac. Or are you saying it could not have been 3785 as this was 6 Staffel machine? How about any other 37?5 to be sure? What does EHF etc mean

[Jim P.]

Chris, based on the WNr. from your initial post, the 2./KG 4 WNr. 3795 is the best fit. The observer (B), Oblt. Hermann Haase, from that loss was from 6./KG 26, at least according to Steenbeck, Die Spur des Löwen, p.336. Sorry, I didn't even notice that he was from the same unit as WNr. 3785 which was lost in Feb-41, also in the Med.

He 111H-5, 3785, Birkner, Uffz. Hans, , II., 6., KG 26, , , VE+CE, , 15-Feb-41, Killed in crash due to accidently striking the ground during return from sortie. B, Bf & Bm also killed, Bs injured., , X.Fl.Korp/Mittelmeer, Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #3)-Vol.4; Steenbeck, Die Spur des Löwen, p.335, Stiegler, 5km vor Vizzini, 100%, F, B Ofw. Helmut Engelke, Bf Uffz. Jobst Masurat, Bm Uffz. Heinz Walther & Bs Uffz. Willi Willinger, , EHF Marienehe in Oct-40

[Don Pearson]

EHF = Ernst Heinkel Flugzeugwerke?

Don

[Chris Goss]

Thanks Don & Jim. Was Nerdich killed and can you check again his surname?

[Chris Goss]

Got him-Oblt Hans Dietrich Nehrdich

[Jim P.]

Chris, could well be. I've corrected lots of names from the Gen.Qu. losses based on Matti's NLV postings alone.

[Matti Salonen]

Besides Hans-Dietrich Nehrdich also according to my notes Koletzke should be Koletzko.

In 3785 Willinger should be Williger.

Matti

[Jim P.]

Matti, thank you for those corrections. jlp