Date of death of Major Heinrich Ehrler

[Kjetil Aakra]

Hi all.

I and Mr. John Asmussen are currently writing a book on the battleship Tirpitz due to be published on November 10th (sadly in Norwegian only, but photo captions will be in english as well). In it I have a rather lengthy discussion about what went on on the Luftwaffe side during the day of the sinking and the fate of the involved.

In that context I am having problems with the date of death of Major Heinrich Ehrler. His gravestone (of which I have photographs) says April 4th 1945, as does most acccounts I have come across. However, in Manfred Böhme's account of JG 7 (page 152) part of the death cerificate is quoted, stating:

"Major Ehrler failed to return from a combat sortie on April 6. 1945".

This was signed by Major Weissenberger and Oblt. Schuck.

Can anyone shed further light on this? I would really be grateful if someone could confirm one of these dates so we can get it right in the book.

Thanks,

Kjetil Aakra