He 111 Wk Nr 2149

[steve sheridan]

Hi Chris and David,
Just checked through my files for a G1+CL and low and behold, one for 27.5.40 ! although i had no W.Nr assigned to the loss. This was
piloted by Fw Heinrich Schmidt and abstz. Belgium.

David, thank you also for your information, do you have any indication as to when KG55 were allocated W.Nr's 2121 - 2151 ?

Best Regs,
Steve.

[David Ransome]

Hi Chris,

Crew I have listed as :-

Fw Heinrich Schmidt (pilot), Oberfw Erich Botzki (observer), Uffz Fritz Wicklein (flight engineer), Gefr Walter Schwinn (gunner), & Uffz Hans Kaufhold (radio operator)

Details came from a combination of loss lists, unit report and an intelligence report. Unfortunately I'm not in a position to double check at present but if you have any contra evidence it will be gratefully accepted. I would note it and double check my sources asap.

Kind regards,

David

[steve sheridan]

Hi David,
did you see my previous post.
Do you have any information as to when W.Nr 2121 - 2151 were allocated to KG55, would they have been delivered as a batch all together, or would this allocation be spread out over a period of time.
Looking at my record of KG55 losses, KG55 continued to lose a/c within this batch from 1940 into 1941.
Any help would be most appreciated.
Best Regs,
Steve.

[David Ransome]

Hi Steve,

I believe that this batch was part of the latter half year production for 1939, probably the August - October part, and that it was allocated en bloc so they would have hit unit service at approx the same time, after fitting out with equipment.

As usual, if anyone has any further info, it would be welcome!

Regards

David

[steve sheridan]

Hi David,
Many thanks for taking the time to reply, im very grateful.
So it would appear that this batch of Heinkels were likely to have been allocated en-bloc, in the latter part of 1939.

What is apparent when looking at these a/c, are the constant inter changing of units, obviously down to attrition, lack of spares, lack of replacement aircraft etc. The a/c Chris mentioned started off with 3/KG55, and moved to the Stab and III/KG55 respectively. When W.Nr 2145 was damaged in 6.41 it would have been operational for 2 years, a long time for a combat aircraft!

Best Regs,
Steve.

[Chris Goss]

I know that this is an old post but Peter Cornwell & myself think we have identified a photo of G1+CL on 27 May 40-all that remains is the tail and engines so it could not have been Wk Nr 2149 or 2145 as repair would have been impossible!

[RT]

But where come from the date for that loss ???? In usual loss-lists it doesn't appear ...


Rémi

[Chris Goss]

The date was confirmed by Hans Kaufhold!