Hptm. Pohle & Crew 16.10.1939

[Melvin Brownless]

Hi, I am searching for the loss details of this crew shot down on the raid to the Firth of Forth on the 16.10.1939. I have a couple of questions I am hoping to get the answers to.

(1) Some sources state the unit as Stab I/KG30
RAF Air Intelligence documents the unit a 2./KG25.

I know that KG25 became KG30 but exactly when I do not know.

(2) Again some sources list the crew as; Hptm. Pohle, Uffz. Seydel, and Gefr. Schleicher with one NCO missing.
Other source I have list the crew as; Pilot: Haupt. Helmut Pohle, badly injured. B/M: Fw Weiser + W/T: Uffz Haake + Gunner: Gefr August Schleicher +. CC 3/477.

Can anyone give me the correct details please as I have photos of the burial of Seydel & Schleicher who were interred on the same day.

Kind regards

Melvin

www.aircrewremembrancesociety.co.uk

[Larry Hickey]

Melvin,

According to the revised EoE Luft Loss DB:

"16 October 1939: Stab I./KG30 Junkers Ju 88A-1. One engine damaged by AA fire and cockpit hood lost during attack on HMS Southampton in the Firth of Forth. Next engaged by Blue Section of No.602 Squadron (S/L A. McKellar, F/Lt G. Pinkerton, and F/O P. C. Webb) and finally ditched in the sea off Crail 2.45 p.m. following further attack by elements of Green Section (S/L A.D. Farquhar and F/O P.J. Ferguson). FF Hptmn Helmut Pohle (Gruppenkommandeur) rescued - badly injured face in landing. BS Gefr August Schleicher rescued badly wounded - later died, BF Uffz Kurt Naake killed, and BO Fw Werner Weise missing. Aircraft 4D+AK 100% write-off."

Regards,

Larry Hickey
EoE Project Coordinator

[Chris Goss]

This will explain the KG 25 element:

http://www.ww2.dk/air/kampf/kg25.htm

British intelligence was in the process of catching up with the changes-I mentioned this in Sea Eagles Vol 1

[Melvin Brownless]

Thanks Larry and Chris, not forgetting Brian who sent me an e-mail, very much appreciated.

Melvin

www.aircrewremembrancesociety.com

[edNorth]

How can Ju 88 A-1 "4D+AK" become Stab.I/KG 30 aircraft, when its clearly stated as +AK of 2. Staffeln ? - Or is there cast doupt on this as well? I whould have "properly" marked Stab.I/KG 30 aircraft be marked 4D+_B - as is known from 4D+BB and 4D+CB (although photos of these are far from clear), or Stab.I/KG 30 using "inherited" aircraft marked as 4D+_H (later used by (Z)/KG 30.)

Is this case of listing the loss of Hptm. Pohle or the aircraft ?

Ed

[Melvin Brownless]

Ed, At the time of the crash 16.10.39 the unit was 2./KG25, this changed to I./KG30 about a week later, thats my interpretation.

Regards

Melvin

www.aircrewremembrancesociety.co.uk

[edNorth]

Oktober 1939 then coming before September 1939?
Melvin, I think not.

[Melvin Brownless]

Ed, You are of course right, I think I need new glasses asap!

Melvin