Question on Oberfeldwebel from 5./KG1

[Tim O.]

Dear all

I recently acquired a photo album, which shows the crew of Oberfeldwebel August Wiese. They were apparently shot down between Luga and Leningrad and (according to the caption in the album) were 400km from the German lines. They returned after 8 days (presumably largely on foot). The images show three of the crew in Russian civilian clothes and in Luftwaffe uniform.

Does anybody know more about this incident? I suspect it was summer 1942 but I am not certain.

Any help will be welcome.

Best wishes
Tim O.

[G.R.Morrison]

This incident occurred during the first week of the Russian campaign.
Ju 88A-5 WNr.4296 of 5./KG 1, coded V4+ON reported lost due to Luftkampf during a mission to Riga. Bs Uffz. Friedrich Leibold KIA 27.June 1941, rest of crew (pilot Fw. August Wiese, Bo Fw. Martin Haustein, Bf Uffz. Armin Wuigk) returned.

GRM

[Tim O.]

Thank you very much GRM. That is great information.

Best wishes
Tim O.

[mars]

I do not think they could walk 400 KM on foot in 8 days, that would mean more than 50 KM per day, and that was deep inside of enemy side of front line ! most likely they got help from local population who hided them until German ground troop reached their location

[Tim O.]

Hi Mars

I understand the point. Unfortunately the term 'returned' does not give much away.

Best wishes
Tim O

[Larry Hickey]

Tim,

Does your album have information or photos that relate to the period 1939-40 for this Ofw and his crew?

Regards,

Larry Hickey
EoE Project Coordinator

[Tim O.]

Hi Larry

Unfortunately not. The album belonged to an officer from 5./KG 1 who simply featured this incident among a host of other photos of himself, his crew and a number of other officers and NCOs.

The Leutnant's first Feindflug was in the Battle of Britain.

Best wishes
Tim O.

[Larry Hickey]

Tim O.

Since the 5./KG1 officer flew his first missions during the BoB, is there any information or photos that relate to either his career or the unit back to the 1940 period, the time period for the "Eagles Over Europe" project?

Regards,

Larry Hickey
EoE Project Coordinator