Fw. Hermann Holstein 2/JG 53

[Bill Martin]

I am researching Luftwaffe pilot Hermann"Hans"Holstein, 2/JG 53 in Tunisia and Italy. He was killed in combat 28April1944. I would appreciate any information about his age at death. Also, is it possible that a photograph of him exists.

Thanks,

Bill Martin

[Nick Beale]

There's nothing about him on the German War Graves database, or for any Holstein killed in Italy in April 1944. A pity because a grave registration would have given a birth date.

I don't have anything else on the action in which he was killed. Stab JG 77 was scrambled to Bologna that day but recalled when the Allied aircraft didn't come as far north as anticipated.

[Bill Martin]

Thanks for the reply Nick. The Kracker Luftwaffe Pilot Archive states that he was MIA on 28April1944 near Rimini, Italy after combat with a P-47. This is all I could find. My uncle was involved in combat with Holstein on 4April1943 and I am trying to find any information about him.

Regards,

Bill Martin

[Matti Salonen]

August 5, 1921.

Matti

[Bill Martin]

Thanks Matti. I have not been able to find much information about Hermann Holstein, but this helps a lot.

Thanks and best regards,

Bill Martin

[Hofstetter]

Here's some info from Prien.
Regards
Greg

[Johannes]

Hi Guys

I also have his D.O.B as 5th August 1921. He completed his trianing with 3./Jgr.Sud during 1942. On 4th April 1943 he was shot down in combat with Allied aircraft and listed as missing, but did manage to return. On 12th July 1943 he was shot down and wounded in combat with Allied aircraft, his Bf109 coming down North of Comiso, Italy. On 28th April 1944 he was shot down and killed in combat with American Thunderbolt's, his Bf109 coming down in the region of Rimini, Italy.

He confirmed nine claims, the first eight as an Unteroffiizier, the last as a Feldwebel, all were with 2./JG 53 in the West:-

18th February 1943 Boston 1200 hrs tief Nr.1
4th April 1943 B-25 X 2 at 1605 hrs and 1606 hrs both at 3000 metres Nr.2-3.
12th April 1943 Spitfire 5km East of Sid Mahdi 1640 hrs 1000 metres Nr.4
10th July 1943 Sptifire 15km East of Erice 1610 hrs 500 metres Nr.5
11th July 1943 P-40 20km Southwest of Sciacca 1615 hrs 100 metres Nr.6
24th March 1944 B-24 1203 hrs 6500 metres Nr.7
18th April 1944 P-51 at Udine 1457 hrs 3500 metres Nr.8
20th April 1944 B-24 at Rovigno 1241 hrs 5000 metres Nr.9

Regards

Johannes