Information on Otto Kirchner

[ak74dd]

Hallo everyone,

time permitting I like to research the life of my ancestors. Among them is my grandfather Otto Kirchner. Some of his WWII-photographs survive in our family. From the portaits I figured his rank (during the years ~1942 - ~1944) as Oberfeldwebel of the Luftwaffe (4 birds at the collar, 2 stars on silver framed shoulder pads, BW photos, so no further colors). The photos were all taken on the western front, mostly civilian topics. However it seems he was stationed in Brussels, Senlis (I understand thats an airport near Paris) and Antwerp. I was told that he learned to fly in Magdeburg, flew transport planes, but served mainly as technical staff (seems a bit incoherent to me, so some of that might be just rumors). I know for sure that later on he served at Dresden-Klotzsche (probably till spring 45). Is it possible to elucidate from these place names which unit he served in? Also I got the impression from other posts there exist lists of Luftwaffe personnel.

On a side note one picture shows a huge gathering for an funeral inside a hangar. Next to the coffin there are two bi-motor planes, which I identified positively as Ju-86. I got the impression that this was not a common model, so it might be a clue. Some other images did bear the names of officers on the back, which might help as well. Next time I get the chance to see them, I shall note these names.

I am very grateful for hints on my search!

[thenelm]

Ju 86s were used pretty extensively as trainers for several types of flying schools, and as transports in a number of circumstances.

[ak74dd]

Thanks for the info! Since in Dresden-Klotzsche was a Luftkriegsschule (aviation school) it could mean the photo was taken there. However this resource http://www.ww2.dk/air/schule/lks1.htm does not mention any JU-86 in Klotzsche. In any case on the photograph it appears quite a substantial hangar.

[ak74dd]

Hi there again, during the holidays I got the chance to inspect the mentioned photographs in detail. The timeframe of the album can be established starting around the Battle of France (May 1940). There is a date for the May-celebration 1941 in Bruxelles. The last image shows Fort IV in Antwerp after the English attack on April 5th, 1943.

Many of the images are what I would call tourist-style: Liege, Bruxelles, Paris and Antwerp. Some contain general war related topics, such as destroyed tanks or ships. Not helpful for finding out more about my grandfathers military service... The only unit named is Flzgr. Belg./Nordfr. Gr. II (sometimes also Lzgr. B./N.). I figure this is Luftzeuggruppe Belgien/Nordfrankreich. This unit appears to be stationed in Bruxelles between June 1940 until June 1944. This is consistent with an image of General Maelzer. I found a Kurt Maelzer as Commander of the Air-Equipment-Group with Air-Region-Command Belgium-North France (28 May 1940-00 Sep 1942). The only other prominent person is Oberstltnt. Moelders (Kommodore J.G. 51).

Potentially more helpful are the names of (I presume) comrades. Unfortunately I was not able to track any of them (for instance using the Kracker Luftwaffe Archive):

Feldw. Esch

Insp. Gebhardt

Feldw. Oskar Seyschab (noted as died in a crash 1941 in Warsaw)

Stfw. Weimann

Does anyone have information on these people?

[ClinA-78]

It was the 8th AF which raided Antwerp on the 5th April 1943.