Erich Kuhlmann JG53

[Erich Kuhlmann]

Hello,
I am a new member seeking information on Erich Kuhlmann JG53 killed in 1940.
He had 8 victories, 4 in Spain and 4 during World War Two. I believe he may have flown with Wolfgang Lippert.
Thanks1

[Larry deZeng]

It looks like there may have been a couple of officers by that name:


KÜHLMANN, Erich. 08.42 Oblt. and Nafü/Brigade “General Göring” (to14.10.42). 15.10.42 appt Nafü/Gren.Rgt. “Hermann Göring” (to 11.42). 11.42 Oblt., appt Nafü/Gren.Rgt. 1 “Hermann Göring” (to 04.43). 04.43 appt Nafü/ Pz.Gren.Rgt. 1 “Hermann Göring” (to 05.43).

[Chris Goss]

Wrong Kuhlmann Larry. From memory, I have photos of him in Brothers In Arms together with Lippert. Peter Cornwell will no doubtedly answer for me. I think he was Ofw at the time of his death

[Larry deZeng]

Originally Posted by Chris Goss

Wrong Kuhlmann Larry. From memory, I have photos of him in Brothers In Arms together with Lippert. Peter Cornwell will no doubtedly answer for me. I think he was Ofw at the time of his death

Yep, that's why Doug and I don't have him. But I thought it somewhat interesting that there was a Luftwaffe Oberleutnant by the same name.

[robert]

Hi,

he flew with 3./JG53. According to fragments of his logbook between 20.08 and 30.08.40 he flew in "yellow 6".

Regards

Robert

[Erich Kuhlmann]

What is Brothers in Arms?
I would like to obtain a photo of Kuhlmann.
Also, are there any books I should purchase to read up on his wartime activities?

[Brian Bines]

All I have is missing over the Channel on 2-9-40 while flying with 3/JG53 in Bf109E-4 wn 1167. In the Ries/Ring book ''The Legion Condor'' (ISBN 0-88740-339-5 ) his Spanish victories are Uffz. Kuhlmann 13-6-38 one Curtiss, Fw.Kuhlmann 14-6-38 one Curtiss, 15-7-38 one Curtiss and 18-7-38 one Rata. Page117 of the book shows in Jan 1938 Uffz Kuhlmann was with the 4 Staffel (J/88)flying a He51 at Calamocha.

[Chris Goss]

Brothers in Arms is my book of the activities of 1/JG 53 (and I/JG 53) and 609 Sqn in 1940

[Andreas Brekken]

Hi, Brian

I have him listed as Kriegsgefangener... at least at the time of his loss the Luftwaffe got information that he was not missing, but a prisoner of war.

http://www.ahs.no/ref_db/lw_loss_pub...?lossid=117834

Anyone know of he became a POW? Or if he really went missing as Brian stated?

Also, there seems to have been an Uffz Erich Kuhlmann in II./JG 53 earlier in 1940, but as the rank is Uffz this is probably not the same person (Fw already in 1938):

http://www.ahs.no/ref_db/lw_loss_pub...?lossid=137305

Regards,
Andreas

[Peter Cornwell]

Oberfw Erich KUHLMANN was one of two 3./JG53 pilots reported ‘missing’ following operations over southern England on September 2, 1940, and, as Brian has already stated, was flying Bf109E-4 (1167) on his last mission. According to Lw records the two missing pilots were (67005/15) Lt Herbert RIEGEL, last seen in action over Ashford, and (67007/5) KUHLMANN lost over the English Channel between Dover and Calais.

At 08.50 hours on that date a Bf109E crashed at Bridge Farm Field at Bilsington in Kent the aircraft being totally destroyed and the pilot killed. Unable to be identified, he was buried as an ‘Unknown German Airman’ in Grave 1133/1 in New Romney Cemetery. On his exhumation on October 10, 1962, prior to transfer to Cannock Chase, it was documented that he ‘possibly’ carried the Erkennungsmarke 67007/15 so the possibility certainly exists that the Unknown German Airman in Grave 1-5-152 at Cannock Chase may be KUHLMANN although similarities between the two identity numbers of both pilots concerned makes this conclusion unsafe.

There is indeed a photo of KUHLMANN on p132 of Chris Goss’ excellent Brothers in Arms (Crecy 1994) showing him with Staffelkapitän Wolfgang LIPPERT and others following the award of the EKII.