Ernst Erich Hirschfeld's FW 190A-8

[Kurse1342]

Hello and thanks for the add!

I am currently researching an aircraft for Ernst Erich Hirschfeld of JG 300.

The documentation that I have been able to find stated that Hirschfeld was shot down on July 28th, 1944 in FW 190A-8 Werk Nr. 171 459 (Yellow 1).

He was the Staffelkapitän of 6/JG 300 at the time.

Are there any known photos of this aircraft?

Any additional information on this aircraft would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[Leo Etgen]

Hi Kurse1342

Focke Wulf Jagdflugzeug by Rodeike states that this particular machine was one of the 171 450 through 171 750 werknummer block comprising some 300 aircraft built between July 1944 and August 1944 by Focke-Wulf Cottbus. I hope this helps.

Horrido!

Leo

[Kurse1342]

Thanks for the info Leo.

So it is possible that this aircraft was basically brand new at the time Hirschfeld was flying it and was shot down?

I wondered how accurate the information I got on the Werk Nr. is?

[Theo Boiten]

Dear all,

Interesting thread on Hirschfeld! For the NJWD 2nd edition I have done some research into his career, and found that he had an estimated 16 daylight claims plus three confirmed and two unconfirmed night-time Abschüsse. Can anyone give me precise info on Hirschfeld's victory claims in daylight, and how many of his daylight Abschüsse were confirmed by the OKL/RLM?

And can anyone sypply me with a photo of Hirschfeld?

Cheers, Theo

[Kurse1342]

Theo

This link has some interesting information on Hirschfeld.

http://www.luftwaffe.cz/hirschfeld.html

I hope it provides some of the information you're looking for.

Cheers!

[Leo Etgen]

Hi guys

Please find attached what I have been able to uncover on this ace. It is mainly based on Die Ritterkreuzträger der Luftwaffe by Obermaier with additional victory list information sourced from Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945 by Prien and his team as well as JG 300 Wilde Sau by Lorant and Goyat. This latter source lists 27 victories claimed by this ace although unfortunately it does not appear to identify which were confirmed and which were not. Hopefully this can add something more to the discussion.

http://wikisend.com/download/749260/Hirschfeld.zip

Horrido!

Leo

[Kurse1342]

Nice work.

This does provide a listing closer to the 27 victories than the link I found.

I also found it interesting that 1/Lt James McElroy is listed as a possible victor in Hirschfeld's case.

Another possiblity is that he fell to the guns of tail gunner SSgt Arthur Kemp of the 351st Bomb Group who was credited with a FW 190 near Erfurt on the same date - July 28th, 1944.

The pilot of the FW 190 was seen to bail out but no parachute was observed to open.

Sounds very similar to Hirschfeld's demise

[Leo Etgen]

Hi Kurse1342

Many thanks for the information that possibly he may have been brought down by Sgt Kemp. This was new to me and obviously it would be very interesting to know as many of the details surrounding this claim but the statement that although the pilot bailed out the parachute was not seen to open is intriguing. It is my understanding that the bombers claimed 1 destroyed, 2 probable and 1 damaged victories while the escorting fighters claimed 4 destroyed, 1 probable and 1 damaged victories on that particular mission to Merseburg.

Horrido!

Leo

[drgondog]

Originally Posted by Kurse1342

Nice work.

This does provide a listing closer to the 27 victories than the link I found.

I also found it interesting that 1/Lt James McElroy is listed as a possible victor in Hirschfeld's case.

Another possiblity is that he fell to the guns of tail gunner SSgt Arthur Kemp of the 351st Bomb Group who was credited with a FW 190 near Erfurt on the same date - July 28th, 1944.

The pilot of the FW 190 was seen to bail out but no parachute was observed to open.

Sounds very similar to Hirschfeld's demise

It is highly probable that 358FS/355FG ace James McElroy shot down Hirschfeld near Erfurt. The lead elements of a mixed FW 190/Bf 109 force attacked the rear boxes at about 1000 and McElroy and his wingman chased one Fw 190 and three Bf 109s as they dove away. The McElroy destroyed the Fw 190 and it was seen hitting the ground. The target that day was Merseburg, my father led the mission for the 355th - and also destroyed a 109 near Mulhausen 20 minutes later on the return leg.

[Leo Etgen]

Hi Bill

Do you know if the German pilot was seen to bail out of his aircraft? This is an important detail as it appears that Hirschfeld bailed out but failed to open his parachute and fell to his death. He had been shot in the elbow and possibly this was a contributing factor. According to what Kurse1342 wrote the pilot of the aircraft that Kemp claimed to shot down was seen to bail out but not open his parachute which would seem to match what happened to Hirschfeld. I am very aware that there are not enough details available to make definite pronouncements yet but this new information is very interesting.

Horrido!

Leo