Maj. Wilhelm Rath Kom. KG2 missing 22/23-5-44

[Brian Bines]

Is there any information available about the career of this officer. I gather from the KG51 book both he and a Bs of his crew Ofw.Josef Traut had service going back to 1940.

[Chris Goss]

Rath was awarded the DKiG III/KG 51 4 Jun 43 and Traut with 7/KG 51 12 Jul 43. He was with the Stab III/KG 51 as Oblt in Aug 40 as was Traut was with Hptm Joachim Poetter, St Kap 7/KG 51

[Doug Stankey]

Here is what we have about this guy:

RATH, Wilhelm.
01.08.39 Oblt., in KG 51.
26.12.42 Hptm., appt Staka 10./KG 51 (to 16.01.43).
15.02.43 (22.03.43?) Hptm., in III./KG 51, appt provisional Kdr. III./KG 51 (to 31.12.43).
15.03.43 Hptm., awarded Ehrenpokal.
04.06.43 Hptm., awarded DKG, III./KG 51.
01.04.44 promo to Maj.
12.04.44 Maj., appt Kommodore KG 2 (to 22.05.44 MIA).
22/23.05.44 Maj., Kommodore KG 2 MIA 50 km S of Lymington, probably due to Mosquito of 125. Sqdn. (Ju 188E-1, U5+AA, WNr. 260391).

We hope that this is what you need.

LdZ
DGS

[Brian Bines]

Chris and Doug,

Thanks to you both for the very helpful Info.,

Regards

Brian Bines

[Reiner]

Hallo!

Second from left Ofw.Josef Traut, 7./K.G.51- June 1941.

Rene

[Brian Bines]

Rene,

Many thanks for posting the photo,

Regards

Brian Bines