Hapt. Wolfgang Kosse,DKiG

[Edward L. Hsiao]

Gentlemen,

Wolfgang Kosse's total kill score is uncertain. Plenty of soarces said that Kosse's kill score could be a high as 46. Most of his air fights were against the Western Allies over Germany. He was killed on Christmas Day of 1944 after he shot down two RAF fighter planes on a wild air fight. I believe he was recommended for the German Cross In Gold in the middle of 1944 but finally was awarded to Kosse after his death on Jan. 1st of 1945. He really had a up and down career as a fighter pilot. He was demoted from Oberleutnant to Flieger in Nov.1943 for unauthorized flight and damaging an aircraft. I don't know how he managed to get back up to officer rank again. Plus that he made Hauptmann before his death. His score of four engined bombers is unknown. His kill score includes six Soviet planes over the Eastern Front. If his kill score against the Western Allies was over 40,Kosse would have been recommended for the Knight's Cross. Who can tell me more about this Luftwaffe fighter pilot.
His last flying unit was JG-3 "Udet".

Sincerely,

Edward L. Hsiao

[Doug Stankey]

Here is what information we have concerning the career of this fellow:

KOSSE, Wolfgang. (DOB: 27.09.18 in Berlin). (DKG). 17.05.40 Lt., with 7./JG 26. 05.40 in 6./JG 26. 01.06.40 Lt., 6./JG 26. 23.08.40 Oblt., appt Staka 5./JG 26 (to 04.05.42). 09.08.41 Lt., 5./JG 26. 01.01.42 Oblt., Staka 5./JG 26 (to 04.05.42). 12.04.42 Oblt., with 5./JG 26. 04.05.42 trf to Schiessschule Grove. 05.05.42 appt Staka 1./JG 5 (to 15.05.43 then trf to Schiesschule Grove/Denmark). 10.42 Oblt., Staka 1./JG 5. 01.04.43 in I./JG 5, promo to Hptm. (RDA to be determined). 30.11.43 demoted to Flieger and relieved of his command for making an unauthorised flight and damaging an aircraft. 01.44 volunteered for posting to Sturmstaffel 1. 11.02.44 Flg., Sturm./JG 3. 01.06.44 appt Staka 5./JG 5 (to 13.10.44). 14.10.44 Hptm., appt Staka 10./JG 3 (to 24.12.44). 17.12.44 Hptm., 13./JG 3. 24.12.44 Hptm., 13./JG 3 MIA – in Fw 190 (< 0 +) or (White 6)? shot down during combat with Typhoon fighter-bombers near Liège/Belgium. Body never recovered. 01.01.45 Uffz., JG unspecified awarded the DKG. Credited with c.10 (some sources claim at least 28) air victories.


We hope that this answers most of your questions.

LdZ
DGS

[ju55dk]

There is something wrong around Schiesschule! Schiesschule der Luftwaffe was stationed at Vaerlöse/DK. If he was i Grove in 1942 it was with Jgr. Drontheim/JFS 3.

Junker

[Johannes]

Hi Guys

His first eleven claims were all in the West between 17th May 1940 and 12th April 1942 before he moves onto 1./JG 5 for a year. Mentioned were you say six Soviet aircraft, but though not sure I think that this unit only maid claims over Western aircraft! Unfortunately the micro films daily entries for 1./JG 5 do not start until later in 1943, so he may very well have made claims with 1./Jg5. After that he confirmed just seven with JG3 including three heavy bombers. A total of forty-six is probably based on the points system, he got at least eighteen.

Regards

Johannes

[Leo Etgen]

Hi guys

Not much that I can add to what has been posted here but I have noticed that there is a photograph usually described as being of his Fw 190 A-4 "White 10" while serving as Staffelkapitän of 1./JG 5 in October 1942. However, looking through the Flugzeugbestand und Bewegungsmeldungen of I./JG 5 would indicate that the unit was entirely equipped with the Fw 190 A-2 and A-3 at the time. The first Fw 190 A-4 fighters did not appear until February 1943. Are there any other photographs of this particular machine that include the tail to see what sort of antenna attachment was fitted?

Horrido!

Leo

[Tom Semenza]

Kosse had 11 claims with II./JG 26 from May 1940 to April 1942 (Caldwell and Prien). 6 x 4-mots claimed with Sturmstaffel 1 from Feb. to April 1944. These are listed as claim nos. 18-23 (Mombeek and Prien). Finally 5 fighters (nos. 24-28) with IV./JG 3 Sept. to Dec. 1944 (Prien). So apparently claims 12 to 17 were with I./JG 5.

Tom

[Edward L. Hsiao]

Gentlemen,

Thanks for the answers you gave me. Wolfgang Kosse remained a Hauptmann before his death on Dec. 25,1944. I don't know why some information regarded Kosse as an unteroffizier and awarded the DKiG on Jan. 1st 1945. I must admit that there were bits and pieces that aren't clear to me. Especially his number of air kills are still in doubt.

Sincerely,

Edward L. Hsiao