12./KG 100 loss

[John Manrho]

Who can help me with the crash location of He 177A-3, WNr. 2154 of 12./KG 100 on April 22nd, 1944? There is something strange with the burial location of the crew....

[Brian Bines]

John, all I had was crashed Scwabisch Hall following fire to right engines, crew list I had showed the Ff and B had the same surname of Schlesinger,

Regards
Brian Bines

[Matti Salonen]

I have Hagenbach bei Schwäbisch-Hall.

Matti

[John Manrho]

OK, one of the crew members is buried in Belgium....I think there might be a mix up of EM numbers. Has anybody the NVM and can list the crew with dates of birth and EM numbers? The crew is listed in the KG 100 book but I am looking for the details.

Thanks,

John

[Matti Salonen]

John, what is the problem with graves of the crew? Do you know the name, date of birth and EKM number of the crew member buried in Belgium?

Matti

[John Manrho]

Matti,

My apologies for the late reply, I was on travel. According to the KG 100 book the crew consisted of 7 men who were killed. I checked the VDK Database and 3 are listed. I assume the others were transferred to private graves;

Uffz. Heinz Schlesinger, born 13.09.1921 Brieg (buried in Brieg)
Ogfr. Klaus Schlesinger, born 07.10.1921 (buried Schramberg)
Ogfr. Georg Höhn (not mentioned)
Gefr. Josef Schöneborn (not mentioned)
Fw. Josef Reindl (not mentioned)
Uffz. Gerhard Janek (not mentioned)
Ogfr. Viktor Kühnel, born 30.06.1922 (buried at Lommel, Block 25, Grave 172).

Why on earth would Kühnel be buried at Lommel? His date of death is listed as 22.04.1944. He originally was buried at Opoeteren between dead soldiers of September 1944. I can only think of 3 reasons;

1) He originated from that area and was transferred there (heimatüberführt). I think this is highly unlikely.

2) He was not killed in the crash of 22.4.1944 but wounded, transferred to FJ and was killed in September. But why then mention the date of death as 22.4.1944?

3) Incorrect EM registration at Opoeteren and Lommel. It is possible that during transfer from Opoeteren to Lommel the EM number was incorrectly noted.

If you have the NVM or more details on Kühnel's EM, please let me know!

Thanks,

John

[Matti Salonen]

Just now I have no additional info, but will check next week, when in Berlin. I will advise after returning.

Matti

[John Manrho]

Matti, Ok, great. I plan another visit to Berlin in early 2015 also. Thanks for your effort to solve this little mystery.

[Matti Salonen]

The missing graves are mentioned in the NVM as follows:

Höhn: Lampertsloch
Schöneborn: Immigrath
Reindl: Cadolzburg
Janek: Gleiwitz

For Kühnel is given Wüstseibersdorf. Your mystery remains still. From my point of view there could be a confusion between two different persons.

Matti

[John Manrho]

Thanks Matti, did you note the EM number for Kühnel on the NVM?

Regards,

John