Heinrich Bartels

[Christer Bergström]

Hi Peter!

Werner Girbig was a pioneer on Luftwaffe history, and opened many important gates to us all. However, unfortunately he is not with us any more, and by now his book JG 5 "Eismeerjäger" is a quite old book (published over 30 years ago). It still may serve as a "JG 5 for beginners", but it is not flawless and it does of course not contain the new level of research which has been added to that of Girbig's generation by the new generation of well-versed Luftwaffe historians.

Today, Girbig's book can be left aside as far as information on Bartels is concerned, and instead the best information on Bartels can be found in precisely the books you mentioned:

Messerschmitt Bf-109 im Einsatz bei der III. und IV./Jagdgeschwader 27
by Prien et al.
and
JAGDGESCHWADER 5 , Zur Geschichte des Jagdgeschwaders 5, Band Band 2
by Mombeek.

Also, Mombeek's Band 3 will contain more highly interesting material on Bartels.

Having undertaken an extensive research on JG 5 myself (particularly during the past years), I can help you with much of what you are looking for regarding Bartels - planes of his, when some damage as notlandung happened, any details about his JG 5 victories etc.

Peter, I suggest that you contact me off-board. You have my e-mail address, right?