Franz Kusatz TV programme

[Franek Grabowski]

Just aired on 3 Sat as Mein Onkel Flieger (or sth), I managed only a few minutes of it. Some nice colour footage and it seems he flew K1+HH.
I thought I will let you know in case it will be aired again.

[Rasmussen]

The title was "Mein Onkel der Flieger". Kusatz was Ritterkreuzträger, Major and Staffelkapitän of an reconnaissance unit (in the film was said 3.(F)/14 I believe). He was killed in the Do 17 "K1+HH" during an accident on his return to Germany. The normal code he filmed on other a/c's was "5 F+..." --- an interesting half hour.

Best wishes
Rasmussen

[reinhard_oe]

Hi folks,

I'm the director of the docu "MEIN ONKEL DER FLIEGER" "My Uncle the Pilot". First, thanks for your interest in the film. Then: He was really my uncle. the full length of the documentary is 45 min. His unit was 4(F)14 from 1939, [26.7.42 Teilung der Staffel in die 1. und 4(F)Nachtaufklärungsstaffel] = in 1942 divided in 1(F) and 4(F) in a restructuring of units for the Russia Front.

He was born 1909 [11.9.1909 in Mödling bei Wien geboren, damals „Unterdonau“].

About his death: A letter of a Hauptmann Krause:
About the course of the accident I have to report the following: Our Major started on board a Dornier 17 - K7 and with a crew of our best personnel at 9:15 from here. In the meantime an engine failure emerged, which was resolved at Kirowograd. Shortly after 15 hours the plane started towards Brieg. About 40 km northnortheast of Cracow one engine is believed to switch off... An emergency landing failed because of darkness and uneven ground.


Is there anybody here to explain details about Nachtaufklärung = night reconaissance? In my papers it just says: "He was a pioneer of night reconaissance", but no descriptions or details.



Thanxs, Reinhard Kofler