ZG-52 Illesheim 1939 assistance

[riffraff]

I'm researching the history of Fliegerhorst Illesheim and am running into conflicting info on the Gruppenkommandeur of ZG-52/Jagdgruppe-152, May-Aug 1939. Unit forming up and equipping with Bf-109D (some sources cite Bf-109B)

Seems a 50/50 split with his name being listed as either Hauptmannn Karl Heinz Lessmann or Hauptmann Wilhelm Lessmann.

I couldn't find any info on Karl-Heinz Lessmann (other than attributing him to ZG-52).

There was a Major Wilhelm Lessman who was KIA with JG-52 in 1942. Not sure if this is the same Wilhelm Lessmann though

Lastly, some cites are confusing Karl-Heinz Lessmann with Karl-Heinz Leesmann -- the latter never serving with ZG-52 or at Illesheim.

[Chris Goss]

Does this help:

LESSMANN , Wilhelm-Otto. 15.03.37 (01.04.37?) Oblt., appt Staka 1./JG 131 (to 1938). 01.08.38(01.11.38?)appt Kdr.I./JG 143. 01.01.39 appt Kdr. I./ZG 143. 01.05.39 Maj., appt Kdr. I./ZG 52 (to 06.40). 20.09.39 Hptm., with Stab/JGr. 152. 1940 Maj., appt Kdr. II./Zerstörerschule 1? (to 1940).
28.08.40 appt Kdr. II./ZG 2 (to 10.40). c.31.10.40 Maj., appt Kdr. Erprobungsgruppe 210 (to 24.04.41). 04.07.41 Maj., appt Kdr. Erg.Zerst.Gr. (to 15.09.41). 00.41 Maj., appt Kdr. II./Zerstörerschule 2 (to
14.10.41). 11.10.41 Maj., appt Kommodore JG 52 (to 02.06.42). 02.42 appt acting Kommodore JG 77(to 04.42). 02.06.42 Kommodore JG 52 KIA – in Bf 109 F-4 shot down by fighters in the vicinity of
Brigadirovka,crashing S of Niketenko. Credited with 24 victories prior to his death

[riffraff]

Hi Chris,
Yes! Helps immensely!

Was there a Karl-Heinz Lessman who also served in ZG-143/ZG-52/Jagdgruppe 152?

Just struck me as odd so many people who be interchanging the two first names within a 8 month window.

[Chris Goss]

This is the reason why there is confusion - Leesmann & Lessmann, ZG 52 & JG 52:

LEESMANN, Karl-Heinz. (DOB: 03.05.15 in Osnabrück). (R, DKG). 19.02.39 appt Staka 3./JG 433.1939 in I./JG 52. 27.08.40 Oblt., appt Staka 2./JG 52 (to 24.05.41). 24.05.41 Hptm., appt Kdr. I./JG 52
(to 06.11.41). 23.07.41 Oblt., awarded Ritterkreuz, Staka 2./JG 52. 06.11.41 Oblt., Bf 109 F-2 force-landed at Rusa after being hit by enemy fire and severely WIA with a splintered right forearm; spent months hospitalized and recuperating (to 03.43, but other accounts state that he resumed as Kdr. I./JG 52 on06.02.42 and continued until 13.06.42). 27.07.42 Hptm., awarded DKG, Kdr., I./JG 52. 01.03.43 promo
to Maj. 26.03.43 Maj., trf from Ob.d.L. pool to Erg.JGr. Süd (cancelled?). 27.03.43 (28.04.43?) Maj., inI./JG 52, appt Kdr. III./JG 1 (to 25.07.43). 25.07.43 KIA – in Bf 109 G-6 (white <5 + I) shot down while attacking bombers over the North Sea to the SE of Helgoland.16.08.43 body washed ashore. Buried at Recklinghausen.Credited with 37 air victories

[riffraff]

Thanks again, Chris!

I had heard of Leesmann but have seen so many references to Karl-Heinz Lessmann that I was beginning to wonder if the two existed and were trading command back and forth!

As near as I can tell, Wilhelm Lessmann commanded one of the very first flying units based at Illesheim. I haven't yet found any reference to units basing there prior to late 1938.

Now I need to see if I can figure out who the actual base commanders are/were. The place sounds like it was more a full-time supply depot with a part time airfield operation.

Chris