15 May 40 Kaminski victory

[Spanferkel]

I have documentation that indicates Hauptmann Herbert Kaminski 2./ ZG 26 claiming a "Morane" on 15 May 1940. Unfortunately in looking through current sources including Tony Woods claims lists in seems that only 9./ZG 26 and Stab of III./ZG26 made claims for the Zerostorer units operating on that day.

Does anyone have other sources or material which would help confirm this claim by Kaminski?

Cheers

Jeremy

[Larry Hickey]

Hi,

The victory claims by units of ZG26 other than III./ZG26 have never been published. The fact that they are not on the Tony Woods website,] does not mean that no claims were made by the other units of ZG26. These have just not ever been publisted.

[robert]

Hi Jeremy,

do you have the time and place of this claim? There are some candidates for this victory (some french fighters s/d by unknown Bf110 unit).

Regards

Robert

[Spanferkel]

Larry/ Robert,

Thanks for your input I was thinking that might be the case in terms of the loss listings for I Gruppe not being published.

The only additional info. I have as to the place is "an der Maas", or near the Maas, no time is indicated. I do know that 2./ZG 26 was in action that day over the Belgian border and Kaminski and his WO/AG were subsqently wounded and a/c damaged in combat.

The claims come from Kaminski's Wehrpas which neatly tabulate 5 of his 7 victories the "Morane" being his first. Interestingly enough in his Vorschlagliste Nr. 5 for his award of the Knights Cross the aircraft is indicated as a "Curtis" (P-36?).

Regards

Jeremy

[robert]

Hi,


Kaminski together with 2 other Bf110 from the 2/ZG26 was shot down (100% loss I think he crash-landed and the plane was subsequently written-off) in combat with MB-152s from the GCI/8 which suffered no losses around 11.15 on the 15.05.40. His WO/AG was Obgefr.Karl-Heinz Brockstedt, who was also wounded in this combat.

Regards

Robert

P.S. Do you have any details concerning his other claims?

[Spanferkel]

Hi Robert,

The last two victories of Kaiminski are not listed in his WP but are listed in Prien's JG 53 where Kaminski was serving as Kommodore of I Gruppe JG53.

The other five excluding the one listed above were all during his tenure with ZG 26.

Nr. 2-3 On 7.10.40 he is listed as having shot down a Spitfire and a Hurricane over Yeoville.

Nr. 4 On 16.5.41 a Gloster (presumably a Gladiator) over Iraklion (Crete)

Nr. 5 On 22.6.41 a Martin Bomber near Lunna.

I have more images/data on Kaminski which as I get my butt in gear will add to my website.

Cheers

Jeremy