Lt (later Oblt) Peter Ehrhardt

[Smith]

I wonder if anyone could help with information regarding Lt. Peter Ehrhardt, Kapitan of 5.NJG5 in August 1943.

I am particularly interested in ...
- where the 5th staffel operated from in mid-August 1943
- what aircraft Lt Ehrhardt flew on the night of 17/18 August 1943 (the Peenemunde raid)
- any photographs of that aircraft, or an essentially identical aircraft (same model, same armament, same camouflage, same Gruppe)
- any information or photographs etc. you may have regarding Lt Ehrhardt
- is he still alive?

The little I know is what is readily available online ... served in NJG5, rose to rank of Oblt, 20 kills, 4 on the night of 17/18 August using a Schrage Musik equipped BF 110, survived the war.

Searching this forum I found only a brief mention in this thread.

Many thanks for any assistance you are able to provide me. It would appear that Lt. Ehrhardt shot down my Uncle's aircraft that night (a 619 Sqdn Lancaster), as you can imagine I have a keen interest in knowing more about him for the family history.

cheers Don

[Smith]

BUMP

If nothing is known about this man, perhaps there might be some information regarding his aircraft?

Many thanks, D

[Smith]

2nd and final bump. Nothing at all?

I confess I'm mystified ... or is this perhaps an effect of the significant destruction of LW records. Is more or less nothing known of some individuals?

Many thanks for any information no matter how slight, regards Don

[Tom Semenza]

Don,

I, for one, have not seen any information on any of the aircraft flown by Ehrhardt, certainly no photos. Boiten in Nachtjagd War Diaries lists a total of 24 victories plus at least 1 more unconfirmed for him. II./NJG 5 appears to have been based at Parchim from Dec. 42 to Apr. 44.

Tom

[Smith]

Thank you Tom

I have Theo Boiten's NJWD and also Martin Middlebrook's (1970's) book on the Peenemünde Raid which also refers briefly to Peter Erhardt (same man, different spelling).

Boiten's work (page 105 of Vol 2) has a photograph of the departure ceremony of Rudolf Schönert from II./NJG 5 on 5 August 1943 (at Parchim). This is a few days before the combat I am interested in. An aircraft in the photograph is a Bf110 (G4?) fitted with Lichtenstein BC, and looks to be painted all in one pale colour (76 I assume) possibly with the starboard wing underside in black. Other photos on that page illustrate a similar aircraft of 3. NJG 6 which appears to have a light mottle of a darker colour.

And that's pretty well all I have.

Is there likely to be any sort of database of aircraft werknummers and codes related to 5.NJG 5 in Summer/Autumn 1943?

Many thanks, D

[Maximowitz]

You could contact Herr Peter Spoden who flew with II./NJG 5 and claimed his first victory on the Peenemunde raid. I believe he might well have known Ehrhardt.

Edit: I see the link you provided above shows a thread where Peter participates, so I assume you have already been in contact.

[Smith]

Actually no I haven't. That's a very good point. Thank you, D