Shoot down of Oblt Dieter Pekrun in Stab I./StG2 Ju87B on May 12, 1940

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

During the Western Campaign of 1940, Oblt. Dieter Pekrun was apparently the Adj. of I./StG 2. There are some sources that indicate that he was shot down and bailed out of a Ju87B in Belgium on May 12, 1940, with his radio man/gunner being killed in the crash, which was excavated several years ago. He survived the war, and it's possible some members of this board were in touch with him before his death. Can anyone confirm that he was shot down on 12.5.40? There was a Stab. I./StG.2 Ju87B shot down that day with an unknown pilot, but I've not been able to confirm that this was Pekrun's a/c. I know his career from a previous TOCH 2009 post by Doug Stankey, but need to know what the evidence is that he was the pilot of the Ju87 shot down on May 12th.

Thanx,

[Doug Stankey]

Here is what we have about this fellow:

PEKRUN, Dieter.
(DOB 15.07.17 in Dresden).
09.39 Lt., Adjutant in I./St.G. 2.
22.06.41 or 24.06.41 Oblt., awarded Ritterkreuz.
20.10.41 Oblt., awarded the Ehrenpokal.
1941-42 Adj./St.G. 2 and deputy Kdr. I./St.G. 2.
c.01.42 Hptm., Kdr. I./St.G. 2.
02.42 Hptm., Kdr. II./St.G. 2.
07.42 Hptm., Ia op/VIII. Fliegerkorps.
05.02.43 awarded DKG, Stab/St.G. 2.
1943 attended the Luftkriegsakademie and became an officer of the Generalstab.
23.06.43 Hptm. with the Kriegslehrgängen für Führergehilfen (war courses for general staff assistants), appt Ia/Fliegerführer Sardinien.
c.10.43 Hptm., trf to Stab/General der Schlachtflieger.
01.05.44 promo to Maj.
c.08.44 Maj., Ia/General der Schlachtflieger (to 04.45).
†18.07.2005 in Aachen.


We hope that this helps.

HLdZ
DGS

[Larry Hickey]

Doug,

Thanks. I saw this when you originally posted in in 2009. I'm specifically trying to determine what the evidence is that Oblt Pekrun was shot down while piloting a Stuka on May 12, 1940, at Geetbets, Belgium, and survived by bailing out. Since there was a Stuka from Stab I./StG2 lost that day, and Pekrun as Gr Adj. was in the Stab at that time, there is a good possibility that it was him. However, without further sources of information, this is still an open question for the EOE Working Group. This story has to come from somewhere, and Philippe, who is rebuilding the plane from the wreckage, doesn't know where this info originally came from.

Regards,

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

I've now confirmed through a reliable source that Pekrun was the pilot of the Geetbets Ju87B SD on 12.5.40 and that specific info on Philippe's website is correct. This info was provided to me by someone who directly interviewed Pekrun about this. Unfortunately, no FB or photos resulted from this contact. My basic question has been resolved, and we will update our EOE Data Base entry on this loss accordingly.

Thanx,

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

Further to this subject, Peter Taghon's interview with Dieter Pekrun can be found on P. 126-7 of Arnaud's Gillet's "British Victories" book, Vol I (in French). Haven't got it translated yet, but this should definitely solve the issue.

Regards,

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

I have a further question about Oblt. Dieter Pekrun. His RKT Bio says that he was shot down on May 12, 1940, and returned to his unit within 24 hours. His bio also says that he was a StaKap in I./StG. 2 during the WC period of 1940. Upon returning to his unit did he become a StaKap, or did he stay in the Adj. position through the end of 1940? Was he perhaps a StaKap in I./StG2 during the Battle of Britain? Any further details of his service in 1940 would be appreciated.

Thanx for all the considerable assistance and photos so far.

Regards,