Hptm.Walter Kienzle Stab JG 26

[tonda75]

Hello,
Hptm.Walter Kienzle Stab JG 26, was shot down on September 30, 1940 and became a prisoner of war.
Dr. Prien states in his book JFV 4 / II page 8 that this pilot was from 26.6.1940 to August 1940 Geschwaderadjutanten Stab JG 51.
But Lw.Officer Career Summaries (deZeng, Stankey) states that he was in the position of GrpLeiter Stab/JFS 2 from 9.6.1940 to 4.9.1940. Meyer/Carlsen also has this opinion in the book: Die Flugzeugführer Ausbildung der Deutschen Lw. Band II. p.23.
Does anyone have more information about which unit was W.Kienzle from 1.6.1940 to 4.9.1940?
Thank you very much everyone.
Regards Tony

[Chris Goss]

I knew him well and even stayed with him many years ago but never asked this question. After 4./186 he went to JFS 2 but I do not recall him telling me he was with JG 51 apart from he was being assessed by Galland for a position with JG 26 when he was shot down. I will try and find his letters to me

[tonda75]

Chris, thank you very much.

[Chris Goss]

Looked at his letters dated 1978 (!) and all he says is he was with JG 26 "no more than a couple of weeks", joined JG Richthofen in 1934 and was with JG 186 at Wangerooge temporarily. Puzzled that such a senior pilot would be Geschwader Adj but Jochen would have got that from somewhere. However, he does say Erich Kircheis was Adj prior to those dates and then to his capture on 28 Aug 40 so it doesn't make sense that Kienzle was Adj for such a short time and that he was preceded and succeeded by the same man. I should say also that his departure from 186 matches with Larry & Doug's database

[tonda75]

Hi Chris,
Thank you very much for the answer and the beautiful photo.
Regards Tony