Anton Hörwick, KC pilot in 7./NJG 2

[mdejong]

Hi guys,

I am looking for more information on Anton Hörwick, who initially started his career in KG3 and then ended in 7./NJG 2. He and his crew were MIA on 19.2.1945.

He is credited with 27 kills, but I don't understand as he was a bomber pilot??!!
Does any one know why he was awarded the KC on 8th August 1944 ??

Thanks a lot.

Martin

[ghostwriter2]

Hello,

Hörwick was indeed a bomber pilot.
In 1943, his 8./KG 3 was affected by the group's transfer into III.(Beleuchter)/KG 3, providing illumination for the defending night-fighters. Hörwick came at that time to the 9. Staffel. In March 1944 the Gruppe was renamed I./NJG 7 (Hörwick being transferred to the 2. Staffel) and then again in October 1944, becoming IV./NJG 2 (Hörwick then 11. Staffel, not 7./NJG 2).
The mentioned credit of 27 kills is definitely wrong, he probably didn't have any kills at all. So, the KC award was just reflecting his sorties and successes as bomber.
Further details can be found in the biography on "Knight Cross Holders of the Bombers" by Jochen Kaiser.

Greez,
ghost

[Doug Stankey]

Here is what we have about this fellow in our Officer Career database (http://www.ww2.dk/lwoffz.html):

HÖRWICH (HÖRWICK?), Anton (“Balbo”). (DOB: 20.02.12 in Münster near Schwabmünchen). (R, DKG). c.1935 entered the Luftwaffe and served as a mechanic. 1936-37 trained as a pilot. 10.38 served in the Condor Legion with K/88 (to 01.39). c.1939-41 in KG 2. Start of 1941 awarded the Ehrenpokal. Spring 1941 trf to 8./KG 3. 15.10.41 Ofw. in III./KG 3, awarded the DKG. 08.43 trf to 9.(Bel)/KG 3. 03.44 trf to 2./NJG 7. 08.08.44 Ofw. and now in 7./NJG 2, awarded the Ritterkreuz for his leadership and performance on flare-dropping missions while serving in III./KG 3. 10.44 trf to 11./NJG 2. 19.02.45 in I./NJG 7, KIA – in Ju 88 G-6 shot down by Russian fighters in the vicinity of Posen (Poznań), died near Königsberg. Credited with about 350 bomber and night-fighter missions plus 72 bomber missions in Spain).


LdZ
DGS

[mdejong]

Thanks Doug and Ghost...

Very interesting. He was very early DKiG pilot/ awardee. The DKIG was instituted in sept 1941.

I already doubted his 27 "kills" but I saw them in several lists.

Any information or pictures from him or unit are very welcome. I don't find many on the internet..

Thanks again.

I have bought his grouping (without the documents/papers) on an auction. Heres a picture from the estate ....

Martin

[mdejong]

two known pictures which I found on the internet.....

any more are very appreciated.

martin

[VtwinVince]

Pretty fantastic looking Nachlass.

[Andre Stewart]

Hi Martin,

Yes a very nice estate indeed !!

Could you tell me what the 2 awards that are just to the right of the EK-I and just below the Frontflugspange for Bombers are?

Thank you.

rgds
andre

[Richey4Real]

The awards are the Spanish civil war cross and a Bulgarian pilots badge.

HTH

Nick

[Andre Stewart]

Thanks, Nick