1940 - Who, what, where and when?

[Andy Saunders]

Many years ago a national newspaper in the UK carried a story about a roll of Agfa film that a souvenir hunter had taken from the cockpit of an Me 109 shot down "near Lewes" during the Battle of Britain.

I managed to contact the owner of the film, who had only just had the pictures developed then (1970s) and obtained prints. Here are some of them, which seem to show some event or other in 1940. The question is what and where? And when? As to who...some are obvious, but I'd appreciate help in adding in any names.

The mystery as to which Me 109 this could have been endures, but perhaps 12/8/40 (Berwick) or 15/9/40 (Isfield). The 11/9/40 (Lewes) or 27/9/40 (Selmeston) seem less likely.

Here are a few of the images.

[Russell]

Hi Andy
Given Muncheberg is wearing his Knights Cross, which was awarded on 14 September, it would need to be late September at the earliest. After his 20th claim on 14 September he did not claim again until 17 October.

Russell

[Andy Saunders]

Russell

Very good point....and although I had earlier looked up Munchenberg's RK award date I have no idea why I didn't think to look at that in conjunction with the dates I suggested. Doh!! My excuse? Too early in the day.

However, if the "Lewes" story is correct then maybe we need to be looking a bit wider afield than the geographic locations I suggested.

How about Karl Raisinger's Me109 at Saltdean on 25 October 1940? Not too far from Lewes.

[VtwinVince]

I think I see FM Milch in there as well.

[hihotte]

Hi VtinVince,

oh yes, he is on 3 of the 4 images and it is even written on the photos.

Cheers
Horst

[hihotte]

Hi Andy,
let me first of all thank you for posting this images. It seems that the entire Luftwaffe fighter force attended the one man lifeboat raft exercise in September 1940. We can identify Oberst von Doering between Milch and Trautloft according to the attached image which I have taken from: JG54, A Photographic History.
More to come.
Cheers
Horst

[Andy Saunders]

Horst

Thank you for that!

Here is one more from that roll of film.

Could this be Karl Raisinger of 3./JG 77?

If so, then the link to him with these photographs could be established.

[hihotte]

Hi Andy,
just another character identified. In your image with no 5 marked, we see Lt Neumann(Julius?). On my attached image we can see him standing next to Major Mettig, Kdre JG 54 back in August 1940, welcoming GFM Milch during juvenescence procedure of Geschwaderkommodores. At the time when your posted images have been taken, Neumann was still with JG54.
Cheers
Horst

[hihotte]

Hi Andy,
do you have the comparable photo, which Chris mentioned and could you post it, or shall we wait for Chris to post it?
Horst

[Andy Saunders]

Horst

All I could do would be to scan the photo from Chris' book (page 190 of 'Luftwaffe Fighters Battle of Britain') but am reluctant to do that unless Chris is happy.

Otherwise, he might be able to post the photo when he gets back.