Franz Huber, EKM 53578/433, Lost 21.11.1940.

[Joe Potter]

Is there any info on this loss, thanks.
Joe

[Peter Cornwell]

No offers Joe ? As usual you pose a challenging question which I believe we may have discussed privately in the dim & distant past.

The EKM quoted is that of 3./ErgKG2 a unit formed at Werl in July 1940 under Oberlt MEIER whose losses start to appear within KG2 units from 11 August 1940 - but you won’t find this individual in their NVMs as he was transferred prior to his death. The disc is that of Obergefr Hugo LŐFFLER gunner lost on 21 November 1940 aboard the following:

4./KG53 Heinkel He111H-2 (3145). Attacked by F/O G. K. Gilroy, P/O A. L. Winskill, and Sgt R. E. Plant of No.603 Squadron and crashed at Bucklands Cross, Teynham, following collision with Sgt Plant 12.30 p.m. FF Gefr Artur Hagspiel, BO Gefr Wilhelm Stieger, and BF Obergefr Bruno Volkmann all missing, BM Gefr Rudolf Deutsch and BS Obergefr Hugo Löffler both killed. Aircraft A1+GM 100% write-off.
Bombs exploded 40 minutes after the crash killing one auxiliary fireman, Sub Officer Beaumont, and seriously injuring another, Leading Fireman Davy, who died shortly afterwards. The scattered remains of four crewmen were later collected and buried at Teynham churchyard on 30 November. Hugo Löffler and Rudi Deutsch were both correctly identified at the time, but remains identified as those of 'Franz Huber' (sic) were also recovered and documented carrying the EKM of Deutsch. This misidentification may well have been based upon an item of borrowed equipment. Subsequently reinterred in Cannock Chase (Block 1 Grave Nr 173) 'Franz Huber' is in fact one or other of the missing crewmen from this aircraft.

[Joe Potter]

Hi Peter,
Thanks for the prompt, I just found the burial return for Huber that you kindly gave me back in the 90's, was a "K" report raised for this crash?
Please excuse the age related memory loss.
Joe

[Peter Cornwell]

Joe,

Herewith relevant A.I.1.(k) Report No.922/1940 - no supplements issued.

[Joe Potter]

Peter,
Thanks very much, most helpful.
Regards
Joe