Need info on two Luft. pilots from II./KG30 that attacked the Lancastria on 17.06.40

[Larry Hickey]

Snautzer,

Thanx for taking the time to reply to this. Yes, I recently acquired a copy of this book by Crabb. Excellent piece of work and the definitive history of the event from the British side. We'll-written and researched coverage of the early history of KG30 as well. Unfortunately, his info on "Uffz Geffgen" seems to have originated from the same source as we've been discussing here, the autobio of Peter Stahl. So we're still left with just that source of info on this pilot's identification, which I can't verify anywhere else.

Regards,

[MarkRS]

I have attached a quotation from "Ju 88 Kampfgeschwader on the Western Front" By John Weal, also probably from the same source. It includes the same Morane error and a precis of Stahl's story.

Mark.

[Chris Goss]

My guess is it would be Geffken-there are no Geffgens in the German War Graves site. Of interest, a Gefr Heinrich Geffken was killed 6 Jul 40 and is buried at Bourdon

[MarkRS]

Maybe Geffgen survived the war. Stahl is very pedantic in his diary. I would expect him to get the names right.

[Chris Goss]

Maybe he did survive but what I am saying is Geffgen is unusual but Geffken is more usual hence the number on the German War Graves site. No record of anyone with either name being awarded any decorations

[MarkRS]

I have found another possible spelling of Geffgen/Geffken which is "Gäfgen". Any records of an Unteroffizier Gäfgen?

Mark