Lt. Hasso Holst, Flugzeugführer, I./KG 54

[Paul Giva]

I think some of you might find the following of interest. I acquired some documents belonging to a Ju 88 pilot of KG 54 that I wish to share. I have transferred to a word document most of what is written in the documents and consolidated that which I have gathered with relevant reference sources. I will post images to most of the pages. Please feel free to correct any mistakes or oversights I have made. Also, if there is something further that you wish to add to Lt. Holst’s story, by all means, please do so. I am relatively new to researching not just the Luftwaffe, but air units in general. Any help is greatly appreciated.


Sources
Radtke, Siegfried. Kampfgeschwader 54: von der Ju 52 zur Me 262. Schild Verlag Munich, 1990. ISBN 3-88014-0987
Shores, Christopher; Cull, Brian; Malizia, Nicola. Malta: The Spitfire Year 1942. Grub Street, 1991. ISBN 0-948817-16-X
de Zeng, H.L; Stankey, D.G; Creek, E.J. Bomber Units of the Luftwaffe 1933-1945 Volume 1. Ian Allen Publishing, 2007. ISBN 978-1-85780-279-5 (Terrific reference, Larry!)
Scheibert, Horst. Die Inhaber Des EhrenPokals Für Besondere Leistung Im Luftkrieg. Podzun-Pallas-Verlag, 1986. ISBN 3-7909-0283-7
Brekken, Andreas. Aviation History Society Norway: Luftwaffe Losses Detailed Information. http://www.ahs.no/ref_db/lw_loss_pub...?lossid=142161
(Wonderful resource!!)
And thank you to forum member, Tasos (“tasos greece”), for scanning and sharing the image found at: http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showpo...2&postcount=20

[Paul Giva]

Hasso Hermann Max Holst was born on 18 July,1920, in the Charlottenburg borough of Berlin. Frieda Holst, Hasso’s mother, passed away in 1933. His father, Paul, was an inspector of some sort. Hasso’s nationality is listed as German. He was of evangelical faith, never married, and his civilian learned occupation is listed as student.

Hasso studied English and French in school. Hasso was a member of the life-saving society of Germany, was certified in gliding, and a recipient of the Reich youth sport award.

His next of kin was listed as his father, Paul Holst, who resided in the Tempelhof borough of Berlin.

He is listed as volunteering for military service on 22.02.1938. He was found fit and listed under the untrained, under age 35, and not called up for service category.

[Paul Giva]

On the date his wehrpass was issued from Wehrbezirks-Kommando Berlin VII, 21.11.1938, there is an entry indicating that Hasso volunteered for duty with the Luftwaffe as an officer candidate, to begin the following year, 1939.

Hasso began his RAD service in April of 1939, and as of the general mobilization declared on 26.08.1939, was assigned to one of the Bau-Bataillone.

He began his Luftwaffe training on 1.10.1939, found fit for duty on 5.10.1939, assigned to 2. Kompanie/Flieger-Ausbildungs-Regiment 42 in Salzwedel and swore his allegiance on 8.10.1939. He was issued his Luftwaffe soldbuch on 20.10.1939.

[Paul Giva]

His unit listing begins with his Bau-Bataillon assignment. His Luftwaffe service is as follows:

2.10.1939 to 14.11.1939 --- 2. Kompanie / Flieger-Ausbildungs-Regiment 42
15.11.1939 to 20.07.1940 --- Schülerkompanie / Luftkriegsschule 5
21.07.1940 to 15.05.1941 --- Schülerkompanie /Flugzeugführerschule Kolberg
16.05.1941 to 15.06.1941 --- Schülerkompanie/ Blindflugschule 3
16.06.1941 to 2.11.1941 --- 4. Schülerkompanie / Große Kampffliegerschule 1
3.11.1941 to 31.01.1942 --- 4./Kampfgeschwader 54
1.02.1942 to 14.10.1942 --- 1./Kampfgeschwader 54

[Paul Giva]

Rank details listed as follows:

1.02.1940 – Fahnenjunker-Gefreiter
1.04.1940 – Fahnenjunker-Unteroffizier
1.07.1940 – Fähnrich
1.12.1940 - Oberfähnrich
1.02.1941 - Leutnant


Weapons training listed as follows:
98K
l.m.g. 13
Pistole 08 (Pistol Permit issued 27.01.1941)

[Paul Giva]

Flugzeugführerschein issued 13.07.1940.

Flugzeugführerabzeichen awarded 19.08.1940 (Please see previous post, bottom of page 21 of the wehrpass for the entry)

[Paul Giva]

Now a part of I./KG 54, Holst receives the following awards:

10 April, 1942 - Frontflugspange für Kampfflieger in Bronze (20 Operational Sorties)

12 April, 1942 – Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse

29 April, 1942 – Eisernes Kreuz I. Klasse

[Paul Giva]

26 May, 1942 - Holst’s Ju 88 (B3+MH-140212 or 140225) of 1. Staffel, I./KG 54 departs Eleusina with a stopover in Tympaki, Crete, heading toward Libya to provide aerial support for Rommel’s Panzer Armee Afrika as ground forces commence Operation “Theseus.” Upon returning from Africa, as a result of what is later described as a compass malfunction, Leutnant Holst is forced to ditch at sea for want of fuel, by the Greek island of Psathoura (N. Sporades) shortly after 0100 hours on 27 May. Holst and his crew manage to safely reach Psathoura thanks to an inflatable dinghy retrieved from the sinking aircraft.

Image from thread located at: http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showth...t=18704&page=2
(Appreciation to Tasos for sharing the image with the forum)

[Paul Giva]

27.05.1942 - Frontflugspange in Silber (60 Operational Sorties)

7.09.1942 - Frontflugspange in Gold (110 Operational Sorties)

[Paul Giva]

Monday, October 12, 1942 - The last major blitz by the Luftwaffe against Malta is underway. Hasso Holst is listed in the Ehrenliste Der Deutschen Luftwaffe. He has been awarded the Ehrenpokal.