Stakas Kampfgeschwader 51

[Larry deZeng]

Thanks Rene.

As you can see below, our data on Häberlen is quite comprehensive. Do you suppose that in August 1940 he may have been the acting Staka for a few days or weeks? As you know, that was the beginning of the heavy day raids over England and the Luftwaffe bomber Gruppen were losing a lot of aircraft and crews every day. There were numerous cases of Oberleutnante having to take over as acting Staka until a more senior officer could be appointed. Is it possible that this is what happened in the case of Häberlen?

HÄBERLEN, Klaus. (DOB: 14.04.16 in Geislingen). (R, DKG). 01.04.35 began his military career as a Fahnenjunker and served with 3. Preussischen Kraftfahrabteilung in Döberitz-Elsgrund (to 31.12.35), then promo to Fahnenjunkerunteroffizier. 01.10.36 attended Kriegsschule Hannover, promo to Oberfähnrich. 01.11.36 attended Grosse KFS Lechfeld. 01.04.37 trf to 8./KG 255 (to 12.38). 20.04.37 promo to Lt. 01.01.39 to LKS 3 Werder. 31.08.40 promo to Oblt. 1940 briefly with KGr.z.b.V. 102. 08.40 Staka 2./KG 51. 03.10.40 appt Adj. of III./KG 51. 26.11.41 WIA by AA fire NE of Agrafenovka and hospitalized. 05.01.42 Oblt., awarded the Ehrenpokal. 03.42 rejoined unit. 27.06.42 Hptm., appt Staka 10./KG 51 (to 25.12.42). 25.12.42 appt Staka 2./KG 51. 05.02.43 Hptm., appt Kdr. I./KG 51 (to 11.10.43). 02.03.43 in IV./KG 51, appt provisional Kdr. I./KG 51. 18.03.43 Hptm., awarded DKG, 2./KG 51. 20.06.43 Hptm. and Kdr. I./KG 51, awarded the Ritterkreuz after 297 combat missions and the destruction of 30 enemy planes, 150 vehicles and 5 artillery positions. 01.10.43 promo to Maj. 11.10.43 Kdr. I./KG 51, got into an argument with Göring and was relieved of command. c.02.44 appt /Ia of Feldluftgaukommando XXVII. 10.44 appt Adj. in Stab des Generals der Kampfflieger. 08.03.45 appt NS-Führungsoffizier/Luftgaukdo. VII, München. 05.45 captured by the Americans and held for 47 days at Bad Aibling. †07.04.2002 in Konstanz. Credited with 297 combat missions. Author of A Luftwaffe Bomber Pilot Remembers.

Larry