He 111 7./KG 40 on 16 aug 1941

[Bas Maathuis]

Hi all,

This He 111 H-5, Wnr unknown, (F8+CR) crashed probably half a mile to the north-east of the taxi way at, or nearby Soesterberg Airfield. Damage about 70%. Flugzeugführer Uffz Franzen.

Does anyone have more details like Wnr, crew, or anything else you want to share.

Tia

[edNorth]

Great to have the code!

(F) Bruchlandung 60%, Fl.Pl. Sösterberg, 15.8.41, He 111 H-5, W.Nr. 4083, III/KG 40, Gefr. Schmidt, Richard (Bm) injured / amd un-injured 1.8.42 (no other names): Source BA-MA GQM (RL 2 III/755 - Lfd.Nr. 12, 18.8.41)

[Bas Maathuis]

Hi Ed,

Are you sure it's the same loss?
I've got Wnr 4083 also on the 15th with no further info.

The one on the 16th may be a different loss!

[Chris Goss]

Wk Nr 4083 was lost at Soesterberg returning from a sortie on 15 Aug 41. Wk Nr 4038 was lost on ops on 16 Aug 41. This is maybe where the confusion has arisen

[edNorth]

Hi Bas,

As Chris says, 4038 F8+DS recorded lost 16.08.41 (so date of F8+FR then might be night of 15/16.08.41) your source recoding only the latter date (!?) I might have other source for some of these but it takes time digging them out.

Summary of GQM III/KG 40 losses in August 41 :

H-5 4082 F8+FT 09.08.41
H-5 3665 F8+BT 14.08.41
H-5 4083 15.08.41
H-5 4038 F8+DS 16.08.41
H-5 4070 F8+ES 19.08.41
H-5 4081 F8+BS 22.08.41

so your F8+FR fits only 15.08.,
besides 4083 is recorded crashing at Sösterberg! But again it (date in GQM) could be in error. Its reported in document dated 18.08. and these (usually or quite often) took two calender days to reach the typists, so 16th is still a possibilty. Maybe Chris has the NVM for this incident?

ed

[Bas Maathuis]

Chris and Ed,

Thanks very much for helping me out on this one.
I didn't read very well and only just saw the two numbers are almost the same.
I might need a new pair of glasses.....

[steve sheridan]

Hi following on, does anybody have the crew names for W.Nr 3665 F8+BT,

W.Nr 4038 F8+DS, and W.Nr 4070 F8+ES.

Any information appreciated,
Best regs,
Steve.

[Chris Goss]

3665: Uffz Fritz Spiess, Lt Wilhelm Fichtner, Uffz Gustav Fuechsel, Ogefr Helmut Jaeger all killed
4038: Ofw Willi Jost, Fw Heinz Meckel, Gefr Kurt Boeglesbacher, Ofw Erich Kleinschmidt all missing
4070: Lt Herbert Fobker, Fw Willi Hunkler, Gefr Otto Kipp, Gefr Karl Nothelfer all safe

[steve sheridan]

Fabulous Chris, many thanks.
A Happy New Year to you.

Best regs,
Steve.