Leutnant Helmut Viedebantt - 18 April 1941

[Matti Salonen]

1941-04-18, 2./JG 77, Bf 110 D, 3330, 40 km westlich Lister, Im Luftkampf mit 4 Blenheim über See aus der Maschine geschleudert. Bruch 20 %.
Flugzeugführer Lt Viedebantt, Helmut
Bordfunker Uffz Kind, Helmut, +

Matti

[Leo Etgen]

Hi Matti

Many thanks for the excellent help as is the norm from you in regards to this question. I greatly appreciate the time you took to look this up for me.

Horrido!

Leo

[Stig Jarlevik]

Matti and all

I am very puzzled by this loss.
First of all I./JG 77 had no Bf 110 listed on strength.
Secondly Prien on page 143 in JFV Vol 5 says this was a Bf 109E WNr 3330 which was lost with Uffz Helmut Kind KIA.

I note that Leo thinks the unit was 1.(Z)/JG 77, but this was not formed until June 1941 at Herdla from 2./ZG 76. (see Mikael Holm)
How this could be formed from 2./ZG 76 is not known since 2./ZG 76 had already become 5./NJG 1 on 7.9.1940 (again Holm).

I would be very happy if someone could explain the real situation in Norway at this time.

Cheers
Stig