Information Required Bernard Malcolm Geissmann 452 Sqn

[RossGmann]

On the 6th November 1941 my Cousin Sgt Bernard Malcolm Geissmann of 452 Sqn was shot down over the English Channel by a Johann Schmid, Bernard was flying a Spitfire Mk Vb ADF# AD430.

What I would like to know is was this his first mission, if not how many previous missions had he been on and what was Squadron ID of his plane. I believe they would have started with either UD or QY however I am not 100% sure of this. If you find the required information would you please be kind enough to supply the website/s where the information was located.

Thank you in Advance

Kind regards

Ross

Johann Schmid was born on 13 January 1911 at Gainfarn in the Baden bei Wien region of Austria. By 1938, Oberfeldwebel Schmid was serving in the Luftwaffe. He served with the Condor Legion during the Spanish Civil War. At the beginning of World War 2, Schmid was serving with JG 2. Oberfeldwebel Schmid was assigned to 1./JG 2. He claimed his first victory in the new conflict on 14 May 1940, when he shot down a French Morane fighter near Frénois. He recorded seven victories during the French campaign. He also had success during the Battle of Britain. He had recorded nine victories when he was transferred to instructor duties. In August 1941, Schmid was transferred to JG 26. Oberleutnant Schmid was assigned to the Geschwaderstab of JG 26. He quickly shot down 12 aircraft in two weeks, including three RAF Spitfire fighters on 7 August, to record his 13th through 15th victories, three more Spitfires on 9 August (16-18) and three RAF fighters on 10 August (19-21). He was awarded the Ritterkreuz on 21 August after 26 victories. Hauptmann Schmid was appointed Staffelkapitän of 8./JG 26 on 22 August 1941, replacing an injured Oberleutnant Hans-Jürgen Westphal (22 victories). He recorded 11 victories during September 1941, including three Spitfires on 27 September (35-37). He recorded his 40th victory, yet another Spitfire, on 3 October. On 6 November 1941, Schmid was leading III./JG 26, in the absence of Major Gerhard Schöpfel (45 victories, RK), who was on leave. Over the Channel, Schmid led an attack on a dozen RAF Spitfire fighters. His attack downed one of the Spitfires. While Schmid was circling the crash site, the wing of his Bf 109 F-4 (W.Nr. 7211) “Black 1” struck the water and broke off. The plane hit the water and sank immediately. Schmid was posthumously promoted to the rank of Major.
Johann Schmid was credited with 45 victories. All his victories were recorded over the Western front.


Entry 45 reads as follows
Date 6.11.1941
Time 15:48
A/C Type Spitfire
Unit 8./JG 26
Location/Comment Channel / Spitfire Vb of 452 Sqn, RAF flown by Sgt BM Geissman

(NOTE the surname should be shown with 2 n's on the end)