St Kap 1(F)/120

[Chris Goss]

The St Kap for this unit appear to be a bit mysterious. Maj Andreas Schub was the St Kap 1939-40 but who came after him-Hptm Hugo Loehr, Hptm Helmut Orlowski, Hptm Heinrich Suter?

[Andy Fletcher]

Helmut Orlowski, St.Kap. 1.(F)/120 (as of late 41-27May42)
Hugo Löhr, St.Kap. 1.(F)/120 (as of 24Apr43-12Jul43)-14Jul43?

I don't know the exact dates that the above individuals commanded 1.(F)/120 but they were in charge between the dates in brackets

No info on Heinrich Suter

[Chris Goss]

Andy: Should have said thanks. In a number of photos given to me by Weixelbaum's widow are a number of the St Kap either awarding him the DKiG or returning from the 1000th mission 7 Nov 43 (so Weixelbaum could not have been with 2/123 until then). By the way, the 1000th banner says 52500 BRT sunk, 44500 damaged

[Andy Fletcher]

Originally Posted by Chris Goss

Andy: Should have said thanks. In a number of photos given to me by Weixelbaum's widow are a number of the St Kap either awarding him the DKiG or returning from the 1000th mission 7 Nov 43 (so Weixelbaum could not have been with 2/123 until then). By the way, the 1000th banner says 52500 BRT sunk, 44500 damaged

Hi Chris,

I'm a bit confused (I'm only a simple Brummie). Are you saying he flew the 1000th mission of 2.(F)/123 on the 07Nov43. As you know he rx'd the DKiG 08Sep42 with 1.(F)/120 and I believe left the unit sometime in 1942 and became St.Kap. 2.(F)/123 on 01Jan44. I've no idea what units he was with in between these dates so any additional info would be much appreciated.

52500 BRT sunk, 44500 damaged isn't too bad a tally for a recce unit!

Cheers

Andy Fletcher

[Chris Goss]

The banner is 1000th for 1/120 (with the antlers in the middle of it). If he had left 1/120 in 1942, he was back in Nov 43 and then with 2/123 in Jan 44

[edNorth]

Hi Chris;

Here is part of the units history as I have it:
(I met Hugo Löhr here in Reykjavik in about 1990)

Commanding officer was Oblt. Hugo Löhr from December 1942 to July 1943. The unit flew its 2,000 operational flight on 05.05.1943. Then it had flown 7.000 hrs, 2.700.000 km or 68 trips around the world. It had made 71 attacks on land targets while on Armed Recce missions. It had claimed destroyed 27 ships of around 65.000 BRT, including three warships. It had claimed damaged 16 ships of around 29.000 BRT, including two warships. It had dropped 500 tons of bombs by then.

cheers
ed

[Andy Fletcher]

From the info provided by Ed if 1.(F)/120 flew it's 2000th sortie on 05May43 it must have flown it's 1000th on 07Nov42 (as opposed to 07Nov43). The tonnage totals also tie in with this (07Nov42) being the correct date.

Regards

Andy Fletcher

[edNorth]

Hi;

I think the 1.000th for 1.(F)/120 was about July 1942 or even earlier but do not have confirmation.

cheers
ed

[Rune Rautio]

I have the following commanders of the unit:

- Hptm. Hugo Löhr (to 14.07.43)
- Hptm Kurt Behnke (from 14.07.43)
- Hptm Friedric Heidenreich (KIA 30.05.44)

Mission No 1000 took place in October 1941, crew Hptm. Hartwig.

Rune

[Chris Goss]

Most interesting. Hartwig was a Beobachter with 1/120 but at the end of Nov 41 was still an Oblt. The photos for the 1000th Feindflug is definitely 2 or 7.11.4-- (2 or 3) but not 1941