When did Hptm Paul-Werner Hozzel take command of I./StG1, circa 9.39?

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

Am in the process of sorting out the leadership of I./StG 1 for the EoE Project, and am having trouble defining the command dates for Hptm. Paul-Werner Hozzel. Both Balke and Emmerling list him as the Kdr of I./StG1 as of 1 Sept. 1940. However, his RK bio and other sources suggest that he was StaKap of 1 Staffel until 19.10.1939 and then became Gr Kdr. Emmerling and the Luft Off Career Summ DB lists Oblt. Kurt Kuhlmey as 1 Staffel Kap during the Polish Campaign of 9.39.

Some sources say that Hozzel was the "Acting" Gr. Kdr. of I./StG1 at the beginning of the war, which would mean that Kuhlmey was "Acting" StaKap of 1 Staffel until Hozzel's appointment was made permanent (on 19.10.39?). The actual Gr Kdr of I./StG1 was supposed to be Hptm? Kurt Rentzsch from 1.5.39 to 19.10.39. If Hozzel was "Acting" Gr Kdr on 1.9.39, where was Rentzsch and what happened to him? The LOCS DB for him lists two possible spellings for his name and says that as an Oblt. he was StaKap of 3./KG2 until he was killed in an accident on 5.8.39. This doesn't seem like the same officer. Was another person with this name the Gr Kdr of I./StG1 during the summer of 1939?

Who knows how to sort this all out?

Regards,

Larry Hickey
EoE Project Coordinator

[Ian Jewison]

Hi Larry,

According to "Das waren die deutschen Stuka-Asse" by Georg Brütting he was appointed Staffelkapitän of 2/Schlachtfliegergruppe 20 in Tutow on 1 Sept. 1938. As you know Sch.Gr. 20 formed elements of I/St.G. 160 in Insterburg on 1.11.1938 and then was redesignated I/St.G 1 on 1.5.1939.

So I would imagine he remained in this role as Staka 2 Staffel/SchG 20, StG 160, StG 1 until 19.10.1939 when he took command of the Gruppe.

/Ian

[robert]

Hi Larry,

he was acting CO because Rentzsch was involved in an accident and was injured (I think something happened in his home and he suffered broken leg or hand?).

Regards

Robert

[Larry Hickey]

Thanx to Ian and Robert,

What both of you write makes sense, with Hozzel functioning as "acting" Gr Kdr of I./StG1 from the beginning of the war, with Oblt. Kurt Kuhlmey being the "acting" Sta Kap of 1 Staffel until Hozzel was officially confirmed in his position in October. Any further information on what happened to Rentzsch would be appreciated.

Regards,

Larry Hickey
EoE Project Coordinator