Code for 2.(H)/23 during the Polish Campaign

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

Can anyone provide the code for 2.(H)/23, a recon unit flying the Hs 126 and He 46 for the 1. PZ.Div. during the Polish Campaign? I can't find a code for it in the standard reference works that I use.

Thanks and I wish a great New Year to you all.

Regards,

[obdl3945]

Hi, Larry...

'6K' seems to have been Aufkl.Gr.23's coding during the Polish campaign, an example being a Heinkel He46c, coded 6K+LK from 2.Staffel during September, 1939. P.83, Rosch's 'Luftwaffe Codes...'

Regards...

Paul

[Larry Hickey]

Paul,

I think that Rosch is correct, as 6K is what our EOE Working Group has also come up with as well. The problem is that Merick's "Luftwaffe Camo & Markings 1933-1945" Vol II lists 6K as Aufkl.Gr. 41 (C2 as well), with no listing for Aufkl.Gr. 23. We are actually trying to confirm the full a/c code for what we think is Hs123B-1 6K+FK tipped on its nose and with the tip of one wing crumpled in Poland on 23.9.39. The "F" is clearly visible on the top of both wings in several photos, but now we're seeking photos of the side of the fuselage with the rest of the code visible. This is a prospective color profile in our EOE book series, so if anyone can help, it would be much appreciated.

Regards,

[Peter D Evans]

Just to add Larry... "Aufklarer, Luftwaffe Reconnaissance Aircraft & Units 1935-45" by D.Wadman, J.Bradley & B.Ketley [Hikoki, 1997] also lists 6K+?? was being the code for Aufkl.Gr.(H)/23 and confirms that C2+?? was used by Aufkl.Gr.(H)/41.

It is also worth noting that for his entry against Aufkl.Gr.(H)/41, Rosch adds a note that some authors have stated that the operational code for this unit was 6K+?? but that this was not correct...

Cheers
Peter D Evans
LEMB Administrator

[Larry Hickey]

Peter,

Thanx. This pretty well nails my original question.

[Russ Fahey]

Hello Larry!

It just so happens that Wolfgang Späte flew with 2.(H)/23 at this time.
His Hs 126s were marked 6K+*K, thus further documenting your previous assumption. (His logbook shows he flew 6K+PK,6K+AK,6K+CK, 6K+DK, 6K+EK, 6K+NK, etc.)

Happy New Year!

Russ