Stakas Kampfgeschwader 51

[Reiner]

Hi Larry!

It´s from Häberlen´s autobiography " Davongekommen-Als Kampfflieger über den Fronten"(ISBN 3-925480-53-6, 2001).

Rene

[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

[Reiner]

Hi Larry,
On 7.Oktober1940 Oblt.Häberlen came from the 4./KG.z.b.V 102 to the III./K.G.51.
In his book, there are no reports as Staka at this time. In 2001 I got the copies of Haeberlen´s flight logbooks, but these copies has borrowed a friend. Later I'll check again.

Rene

[Larry deZeng]

O.K., Rene, you did your homework as far as you can go. Doug has both the autobiography (I think) and the KG 51 unit history. I am hoping he will double-check those and see what he can find.

Larry

[Doug Stankey]

Rene:

Thank you for your feedback. It all helps.

I have reviewed the available information, but I do not have the autobiography. It seems that apart from the conflict abut being Staka in 1940, we are actually in agreement. As Larry has speculated, the Staka position in 1940 was almost certainly an acting one.

The part where he was Staka 2./KG 51 in 1942/4 was omitted by me as this was not in the time period as originally requested.

If you could research those flight logs or the memoirs for more specific details that would improve upon our Haberlen write-up, I can then incorporate them for the next release of our officer career database.
Please use the feedback e-mail address: Luftoffzfeedback@shaw.ca


DGS