Heinz Winfried Sabais

[Steve Bond]

I am hoping someone may be able to help me out with a piece of research that has recently come my way.

A friend of mine (a wartime Spitfire pilot), has sent me some
information concerning a Lancaster lost over France on the night of
21/22 December 1942 en route to Munich. The story includes a
statement that a chance meeting in the 1970s between a surviving
crew member and Heinz Sabais, Mayor of Darmstadt, led to the
claim that Hr Sabais had been the pilot of the Me.110 that shot the
Lancaster down.

The problem I have is that although I can find mention of Hr Sabais
post-war, I cannot find any record of his having made any combat
claims. I am wondering if in fact he may have been another pilot's
funker perhaps?

Does the name mean anything to anyone?

[Dennis Peschier]

Hi Steve,

I've checked Tony Woods claim list http://www.lesbutler.ip3.co.uk/tony/tonywood.htm

The following luftwaffe claims are known for that night.

Reichsverteidigung: R.A.F. Bomber Command: MÜNCHEN
21.12.42 Ofw. Kurt Kastern 7./NJG 4 Halifax £ 25 km. S.E. Sedan: 4.000 m. 19.32
21.12.42 Hptm. Heinrich Wohlers Stab II./NJG 4 4-motor £ 5 km. südl. Void-Vacon: 2.500 m. (Meuse) 19.41
21.12.42 Ltn. Christiner 5./NJG 4 Lancaster £ 4 km. W. Rumont: 4.000 m. (Meuse) 20.04
21.12.42 Hptm. Heinrich Wohlers Stab II./NJG 4 Stirling £ Minecourt: 3-4.000 m. 22.56
21.12.42 Hptm. Heinrich Wohlers Stab II./NJG 4 Wellington £ 2.5 km. W. Matignicourt: 1.500 m. (Marne) 23.13
21.12.42 Ltn. Rebdaus 1./NJG 4 Lancaster £ 15 km. S.E. Maubeuge: 2.600 m. 23.16
21.12.42 Oblt. Karl-Heinz Kamp 7./NJG 4 Stirling £ 24 km. S. Flôret: 2.700 m. 23.20
21.12.42 Hptm. Wilhelm Herget Stab I./NJG 4 Lancaster £ 1 km. W. Steenbuyne: 3.000 m. 23.36
21.12.42 Ltn. Heinz Schnaufer Stab II./NJG 1 Lancaster £ 21/2/3I2: 2.700 m. 23.53
21.12.42 Oblt. Reinhold Knacke 1./NJG 1 Lancaster £ 52/2/1: 500 m. 24.00

The name you mention is not among them, perhaps he was a gunner or radar operator?

Dennis

[Steve Bond]

Hi Dennis,

Yes, that was my information, and I too am wondering if he was a crew member.