Adj. - I./JG 26

[DDT]

Good Evening,

Does anyone know who became Adj. of I./JG 26 after the death of Oblt. Kurt Pielmeyer on 31.05.1940? Could it be Hptm. Rolf Bieber? Or perhaps Oblt. Ludwig Hafer?
Kind Regards,

Dirk
Belgium

[Doug Stankey]

Here is what we have about these two fellows:

BIEBER, Rudolf. 01.05.41 Hptm., appt Chef Stabs-Kp. I./JG 26 (to 03.07.41 KIA – shot down by a fighter 2 km S of St. Omer).


HAFER, Ludwig. 08.40 Oblt., in Stab I./JG 26 (to 31.08.40 †). 31.08.40 Lt. in Stab I./JG 26, KIA – shot down by Spitfires in London area and crashed near Rainham or off Dungeness (Bf 109 E-1) (two primary accounts, same date, different locations but both agree that he was killed, probably because his parachute failed to open).


Thus while we do not have info that states who was Adjutant , both of the above appear to be possible.

HLdZ
DGS

[DDT]

Hallo Doug,

Thanks for the information! Perhaps there is someone else who can shine a light on this matter.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Your!

Dirk

[Peter Cornwell]

Doug,

There is no doubt that HAFER crashed at Rainham not off Dungeness and I have nothing to confirm that he was Gruppenadjutant at the time. This is what I currently have listed in respect of the two losses mentioned:

Stab I./JG26 Messerschmitt Bf109E-3. Shot down in combat with Hurricanes and abandoned over Nieuport 1.20 p.m. Believed that claimed by F/L Dutton and P/O Newling of No.145 Squadron. FF Oberlt Kurt Pielmeyer (Gruppenadjutant) baled out but parachute failed and fell dead at Mannekensvere, south-east of Ostende. Aircraft 100% write-off.


Stab I./JG26 Messerschmitt Bf109E-1 (4806). Shot down by F/O B.J.G. Carbury of No.603 Squadron during combat over Hornchurch. Lost a wing, crashed inverted, and burned out at Bridge Road, Rainham, 12.45 p.m. FF Lt Ludwig Hafer baled out but fell dead and discovered in the Ingrebourne Creek with unopened parachute two days later. Aircraft 100% write-off.

[DDT]

Hello Peter,

Thx for your quick reply. Again a little bit more information.
Merry X-Mas and a happy New Year to you and your family.

Dirk

[Snautzer]

Grave of Pielmeyer https://ww2aircraft.net/forum/thread...1#post-1793571

[Peter Cook]

These are relevant entries in Doug's Luftwaffe Officer Career Summaries:

HAFER, Ludwig. 01.08.39 Lt., RLM/Ob.d.L. pool (Sch.Etat). 12.10.39 Lt., RLM pool (Sch.Etat), trf to Erg. JSt. 3 Herzogenaurach. 01c.12.39 Lt., Erg.JSt. 3. 06.12.39 Lt., Stab/JG 51. 16.08.40 Oblt., in Stab I./JG 26 (to 31.08.40 †). 31.08.40 Lt., Adj. Stab I./JG 26, KIA – Bf 109 E-1 shot down by Spitfires of 603 Sqdn. in London area and crashed near Rainham or off Dungeness (two primary accounts, same date, different locations but both agree that he was killed, probably because his parachute failed to open - remains found vic Ingrebourne). Buried at Cannock Chase. Credited with 2 victories.

DÄHNE, Kurt Hubertus. (DOB: 12.09.14 in Breslau). 16.08.33 entered service in the Luftwaffe. 01.04.37 Ofhr., 1./Aufkl.Gr. 113, promo to Lt.(RDA 01.04.36). 17.08.37 trf to Aufkl.Gr. 122 at Prenzlau. 09.06.38 trf to 2.(H)/Aufkl.Gr. 13. 04.12.39 pilot’s license issued by FFS A/B 14 Klagenfurt. 01.01.40 trf to 1./JG 26. 15.02.40 trf to JFS 5 at Wien-Schwechat. 10.06.40 trf to 1./Erg.Jagdgruppe Merseburg then to I./JG 26. 09.40 Adj. in I./JG 26. 09.40 Oblt., in 1./JG 26 (to 14.09.40). 14.09.40 Oblt., Stab I./JG 26 KIA – Bf 109 E-1 (<+-) in a mid-air collision with an RAF 253 Sqdn. Hurricane and crashed vic "Beacon Hill" near Teynham/Kent). Buried at Cannock Chase. Credited with 2 victories.

Peter

[DDT]

Good morning Peter,

Thx for poiting me back to the fantastic data of the Career Summaries.
It’s been a while when I first asked my question.
This is realy helpfull.
Merry Xmas and stay safe.
Kind regards,

Dirk