Loss Stab. - III./KG 55

[DDT]

Good Morning,

On may 10 1940 111P- G1+AD with the Kdr, TO and NO belly landed at Vahl-les-Benestroff, France at 5:45am. One of crew was kia: Fw. E.Meyer.
I find a Erich Meyer in the VDK online db but here he is recorded as a Lt. (born 24.12.1914) , burried at Niederbronn-les-bains.
Could this be the same Meyer? What was his function on board the plane?
Last question about this crash. I'm also interested in the first name of Ofw. Lehmann who became a pow.
Tia and kind regards.
Dirk

[Peter Cornwell]

Dirk,

It looks like the same guy born 24 Dec 1914 in Löblau, East Prussia. He must have been promoted posthumously.

Stab III./KG55 Heinkel He111P-2 (2848). Port engine disabled by AA fire during sortie to Xaffvillers then attacked by Capt Hyvernaud, Lt de la Bretonnier, Sgt Meunier, and Sgt de Puybusque of GC I/2 and belly-landed at Vahl-les-Benestroff 5.45 a.m. BM Fw Erich Meyer killed, BO Major Paul Schemmel (Gruppenkommandeur), FF Oberlt Fritz Gräf (Gruppen TO), HB Oberlt Heinrich Prüfer (Gruppen NO), and BF Oberfw Franz Lehmann all captured unhurt - later released, Aircraft G1+AD 100% write-off. French sources report that this crew resisted capture and exchanged fire with troops of 414e Rgiment de Pionniers who arrived within minutes of the crash. At least two wounded crewmen were later admitted to hospital in nearby Dieuze. Carrying so many staff officers in one crew was officially discouraged, though it was to be some months before specific orders were issued forbidding the practice.

[Matti Salonen]

I have:
1940-05-10, Stab III/KG 55, He 111 P-1, G1+AD, Aahl.les.Benestroff, Flakbeschuß. Bruch 100 %.
Flugzeugführer Major Schemmel, Paul, gefangen
Beobachter Olt Prüfer, Heinrich, gefangen
Beobachter Olt Gräf, Fritz, gefangen
Bordfunker Ofw Lehmann, Franz, gefangen
Bordmechaniker Fw Meyer, Erich, +
Besatzung später zurück.

Possibly Fw Meyer was promoted after his death, effective perhaps May 1, as was sometimes a habit with long-serving persons in the previous rank. This promotion cannot be seen in the NVM. Date of birth is correct.

Matti

[Stig Jarlevik]

Interesting to see that the NVM switch place between Gräf and Schemmel.

For what it is worth, I would say that while Schemmel no doubt had some flying experience and may even have had a full flying licence it is very probable his main task was as the leading BO and as such the commander of the aircraft.
Thus Gräf would then have been the actual FF.

That would also conform with the general command structure onboard the multi-seat combat aircraft during this period (more than two persons onboard).

Cheers
Stig

[DDT]

Peter, Matti, Stig,

Many thanks for your response. As always appriciated.
Grtz,
Dirk