Researching 5./ZG1 Crew 1942.

[Richard Mills]

I am looking for information concerning the following 5./ZG1 crew:

FF Leutnant Franz Busch
BF Gefreiter Heinz Schaller

I know that this crew were shot down as a result of ground fire on 24-August-1942 in Bf-110E (Werk Nr 3460) over Andrejedmitrijwka, and that Schaller was awarded the Silver Wound Badge as a result.

Any further information at all which can be passed on to myself will be very gratefully received indeed: the type of Operations 5./ZG1 were involved in at the time, the exact Mk of Bf-110 or any info on what happenend to the crew following the crash will be most welcome.

Hopeful inanticipation.

Regards Richard.

[John Vasco]

Bf 110 E-1

It appears the crew were unwounded.

I would expect that they were involved in a normal fighter-bomber mission.

[Richard Mills]

Hello John

Thank you for your reply, I have your book 'The Sting Of The Luftwaffe' covering SKG210 & ZG1 from which I was able to recite the details of the downing of Busch and Schaller on 24-August-1942.

I have some award documents issued to Schaller, including his Silver Wound Badge document for a single wound received on 25-August-1942. The Silver Wound badge was eventually issued on 11-March-1943 by the Oberstarzt Luftwaffenlazarett Berlin (the document records Schaller as now serving in 2./ZG1)

Although dated 25-August-1942, I am in the beleif that this wound was as a result of the crash on 24-August-1942 in which the Bf-110 aircraft is listed as 80% damaged state.

I hope to be able to piece together some more information concerning this crew and any help whatsoever will be very well received indeed.

Regards Richard.