Hptm Gerd Korthals 8/KG 51 & 2/KGr 100

[Chris Goss]

Both Larry & Doug's list and Kaiser's RK book have the above taking command of 8/KG 51 in June 1940. However, I have the St Kap of 8/KG 51 on 12 Aug 40 as Hptm von Schenk, Korthals is referred to in a 2/KGr 100 diary at the end of Aug 40 and photos exist of him returning on from his 100th operational flight with 2/KGr 100 on 16 Jan 41. Is it possible that he moved from being St Kap of 2/KG 100 to St Kap 8/KG 51 in June 1941 not 1940?

[Reiner]

Hi Chris
TodayI saw your question about Gerhard Korthals.
In the diary of Werner Poppenburg 7./KG51 is Oberleutnant Rudolf Bretschneider named as Staffelkapitän of the 8./KG51 on 18.6.1941 . From March 1942, Hauptmann Rudolf Bretschneider was Käpitän of the Führerkurierstaffel. I think Gerhard Korthals followed in March 1942 as Staka 8./KG51. Korthals flew his 200. Feindflug for the 8./KG51.

Regards, Rene

[Chris Goss]

Rene
Nice to hear from you again. Thanks for this-looks like my assumption was partly correct so I wonder where he was from January 1941 until March 1942? For some of that he must have still been with 2/KGr 100. In July 1942 he was definitely with 8/KG 51 as he was awarded the DKiG

[Reiner]

Hi Chris
I also have no idea where Korthals served before. My photo show Korthals after his 200 sortie. The back has been marked by Poppenburg. This picture was taken after 07/16/1942, when Korthals had the DKIG. Poppenburg writes "Knight's Cross is on the way". Korthals received the KC on 10/2/1942.

Rene