Kampfgeschwader 2 Signatures.

[Richard Mills]

I am hoping that someone can help with the attached signatures all relating to Kampfgeschwader 2 from July-1941 to May-1942.

Any help whatsoever will be bratefully received.

Regards Richard.


First up is this Hauptmann signatures for the Staka 1./Kampfgeschwader 2.

I 'thought' I could read Ditmann however, I cannot find a match for that name in the Luftwaffe Officers Career Summaries.

Any ideas?

[Richard Mills]

Next up is this signature dated 14-May-1942 by an Oberleutnant and Stellv. Staka 1./Kampfgeschwader 2.

I 'think' I can read 'Hofer' however, the only potential ideas from the Luftwaffe Officers Career Summaries is the below:

HOFER, Leo. (DOB: 04.08.16). (DKG). 01.11.42 promo to Hptm. 15.03.43 Hptm., awarded DKG, 12./KG 2.

Is it possible it can be this man?

[Richard Mills]

Finally is a question concerning the attached signature which adorns a letter dated 18-May-1942 on writing paper headed 'Kommandeur I./Kampfgeschwader 2'.

For me, the signature reads 'Kurt Kettner' however, I cannot find any reference to him holding this position.

The excellent Summaries refer to a:

KETTERER, 03.42 Hptm., appt Kdr. I./KG 2 (to 15.06.42).

However, I still read 'Kettner' as opposed to 'Ketterer'.

Can anyone shed any light on this?

[hucks216]

The first one is Hans-Uwe Ortmann (possibly Hans-Ute according to the LW Officer Career Summaries)

[Richard Mills]

Originally Posted by hucks216

The first one is Hans-Uwe Ortmann (possibly Hans-Ute according to the LW Officer Career Summaries)

Excellent! Many thanks as always Kevin for your help.

Regards Richard.

[gwdsoldat]

Hello Richard,
will read:
Ortmann.
Hofer.
Ihr (yours) Kurt Kettner.

Regards Manfred

[Larry deZeng]

Hi Richard -

It looks like we had KETTNER but lacked the details of his earlier career with KG 2. Likewise, KETTERER is an obvious misspelling that we picked up from some document and inserted in the listing to avoid losing it. Sort of, “out of sight, out of mind.” Now that we have this cleared up and can see that it's the same person, we will make the necessary change on 1 April 2016.

KETTERER, 03.42 Hptm., appt Kdr. I./KG 2 (to 15.06.42).

KETTNER, Kurt. (DKG). 01.03.43 in IV./KG 53, promo to Maj. 22.07.43 Maj. in Frontflieger-Sammelgruppe, trf to JG 300. 07.43 Kdr. of II./JG 300. 09.43 Kommodore of JG 300 (to 04.44). 27.10.43 Maj., awarded DKG, III./JG 300. 01.05.44 promo to Obstlt. 20.07.44 appt Kdr. II./JG 5 (to 25(28?).08.44 KIA). Credited with 2 victories.

Larry
deZeng/Stankey: Lw.Offz.Career Summaries.

[Richard Mills]

Manfred & Larry, thank you both for your respective help on this.

Larry, I think this is a good opportunity to further impress just what an excellent resource your Luftwaffe Officer Career Summaries are to all collectors and researchers. It has certainly opened many avenues of further research.


Just the matter of 'Hofer' for the moment. Is it possible that it is indeed this man?

HOFER, Leo. (DOB: 04.08.16). (DKG). 01.11.42 promo to Hptm. 15.03.43 Hptm., awarded DKG, 12./KG 2.

The rank at time of signing and the KG 2 link potentially steer in that direction however, neither of these are conclusive.

Fingers crossed. Richard.

[Larry deZeng]

Richard -

There is no doubt in my mind that Leo HOFER is the right one. There was no other HOFER of that rank at that time in the Luftwaffe, much less in KG 2. One might think that HOFER would be an incredibly common German name, but strangely it isn't. The mystery in my mind is what happened to him after March 1943? Did he stay with IV./KG 2? Did he end up a casualty or get seconded to the Army in 1944?

L.

[Richard Mills]

Originally Posted by Larry deZeng

Richard - There is no doubt in my mind that Leo HOFER is the right one. There was no other HOFER of that rank at that time in the Luftwaffe, much less in KG 2. One might think that HOFER would be an incredibly common German name, but strangely it isn't. The mystery in my mind is what happened to him after March 1943? Did he stay with IV./KG 2? Did he end up a casualty or get seconded to the Army in 1944? L.

Larry

Thank you again for your help, and yes I am now happy that the signature is indeed Leo Hofer (DKiG).


The last signature from this Kampfgeschwader 2 set which I still need to identify is attached:

Signed as Oberleutnant und Adjutant I./Kampfgeschwader 2 from the first half of 1942.

I 'think' I read Kopping? although that name does not reach a match with anything I can find as yet.

Any ideas on the signature?

As always any help is gratefully received.

Regards Richard.