III/KG 53 5 Jun 43

[Chris Goss]

Has anyone got record of a He 111 of either 7 or III/KG 53 crash-landing behind the front line in Russia on this date with various injuries to the crew, including a Lt Siegfried Jessen?

[Michal]

I don´t have information regarding crash, but are you sure correct name is Siegfried Jessen? I do have information about Oblt. Siegfried Jessau, which came to 7./KG 53 on February 3 1943 from IV./KG 53 and on July 1 1943 he became Staffelkapitän of 7./KG 53. As far as I know Hans Jessen served in III./KG 53 as well, but in 9th Staffel.

[John Beaman]

Chris:

I assume you know about Helmut Fett of III Gruppe and this not who you are looking for?

[yogybär]

I can only shed some light in teh operation happening then:

In early June 1943, the whole Luftflotte 1 incl. KG53 continuously attacked an important railway bridge over the Volkhov river. Also, Stukas and JG54 were involved. Russians used artificial fog. Nevertheless, the bridge was damaged. But soviet supplies for Leningrad then came though an underwater bridge which was difficult to find somehow. Several other He111 were damaged by flak and had to make emergeny landings on AF's of JG54.

[RT]

I hv 3 planes that could match your ask, 2 with just 1 wounded each, without Jessen, the last one with 2 wounded, uffz helmut Fett B, uffz hermann Fresken BS, in dec 43 I hv a Siegfried Jensen but with a ZG

Remi

[Chris Goss]

Gentlemen: Thanks for all of this.

Michal: It was Siegfried Jessen, not Jessau-Jessen was awarded the wound badge in Black on this date. His EKM was 69942/8 when he was killed as St Kap of 9/KG 53 on 5 Jan 45. Where did you get the information-it appears a very short time to become St Kap?

Remi/John: It must have been Fett & Fresken in his crew as Fresken was killed with Jessen 5 Jan 45. What further details do you have Remi?

[Brian Bines]

KG 53 book. has only BS Uffz. Erwin Seeber of 8/KG53 as killed on 5-6-43 by Russian fighter action, no details. Siegfried Jessen is shown as 7 St. Kap. from 14-1-44 then as 9 St.Kap from Nov. 1944 untill his death on 5-1-45 with rank of Hauptmann.

[Michal]

Hello,

my source is 11. Kriegstagesbuch der III./KG 53 vom 7.7.1944 bis 31.12.1944. KTB is hold in Vojenský historický archiv Praha and recently I am researching this KTB. When I will go to the Archive, I will check it once again and look for Jessau/Jessen. There is as well 12. KTB vom 1.1.1945 bis 12. April 1945. I shall study second KTB during autumn.

[Michal]

Once again

Concerning Staka 9./KG 53: from July 7 1943 Hptm. Alfred Bichowski (came from IV./KG 53) who was transferred to III./KG 4 on August 1 1944. I will check KTB who was appointed after him - if Jessen (Jessau) or somebody else.

[RT]

Plane he111h-16 troubles with fighters 50 % but returned to base Nowa-ladoga
remi