GRAF SPEE's AR196s 1939

[Brian]

Hi guys

The Graf Spee carried two Ar196s. Any ideas of codes? Crews? Fates?

On 30 September 1939, one of the Ar196s machine-gunned the cargo/liner Clement, which was stopped and captured. Any idea which aircraft and which crew?

Cheers
Brian

[Miguel]

Hello Brian:

In Kriegsmarine Colors Vol.1 (AJ Press) :

Graf Spee in 1939: 2 x Ar196 A-1 (L2 + X40 and L2 + X41).

Sorry, I have not found any more information.

Saludos

Miguel

[Brian]

Thats a great start Miguel - many thanks indeed.

Cheers
Brian

[Brian]

Hi guys

As you will note, Miguel has come up with the codes of Graf Spee's Ar196s - L2+X40 and L2+X41. Why the X?

Cheers
Brian

[Seaplanes]

On its sortie to the South Atlantic in the autumn of 1939, the "Admiral Graf Spee" carried only one aircraft which also was the normal equipment for this cruiser. This was Ar 196A-1 W.Nr. 0014 (code not known) of Bordfliegerstaffel 1./196. The aircraft was destroyed during the battle with British naval forces off Montevideo on 13.12.1939. During this action, the pilot, Uffz. Bongards, was killed. The "Admiral Graf Spee" was scutlled in the River Plate estuary on 17.12.1939, and the remaining crew interned. The observer of W.Nr. 0014, Oblt.z.See Detlef Spiering, was interned in Argentina but returned to Germany on 05.06.1940.
The unit code of 1./196 was T3+-H.

The code L2+X-- was used by the 10.(See)/Lehrgeschwader 2 which was a kind of test unit equipped with a variety of seaplanes.

[Brian]

Many thanks indeed, Seaplanes, I was hoping that you would see this request!!

Excellent
Cheers
Brian

[hihotte]

Holá companeros,
I can't say much regarding the code unless I dig out my Graf Spee book with lots of details. What I posted here is a detail photo of the remains of the plane after the battle when Graf Spee took shelter in Montevideo.
The other post is a cut-out of Graf Spee profile with ar196 in place. Enjoy

Horst Schmidt

[jambock220]

Dear Brian,
I have sent you a private message.
Cheers,
Jambock