Lt. Richard Heller late war bio?

[Doug Stankey]

Here is what we have about this fellow:

HELLER, Richard.
(DOB: 21.12.13 in Melperts/Hessen).
07.40 in III./ZG 26.
08.40 in 9./ZG 26.
21.08.41 Uffz., awarded Ritterkreuz, 8./ZG 26.
11.41 with 8./ZG 26.
10.05.43 Ofw., awarded DKG, 1./ZG 2.
c.10.44 Staka 2./JGr. 10 at Parchim-Redlin.
05.04.45 Lt.and Stafü 2./JG 10, KIA – crashed during a low-level attack near Wülfingerode/Harz and believed shot down by AA fire.
Credited with 22 air victories.


Kracker says:

Heller, Richard. - Lt. - (12/21/1913Melperts Hessen) - 22victories - 9./ZG-26 (8/40), III./ZG-76 (2/41), 8./ZG-26 (11/41), Stfkpt 2./JGr-10 (4/45)Bf 110C, Bf 110E-2 Wk# 4431(lost 9/43), Bf 110G-2 Wk# 6371 (lost 10/43)RK(8/21/41), DK-G(7/12/43), EK 1 & 2, Wound Badge, Destroyer Operational Clasp - KIA 5 April, 1945 hit by flak during a low level attack near Wülferinge/Harz. Injured in a crash at Gobi in Werk # 4431 on 27 September, 1943. Injured a 2nd time in Wk# 6371 on 9 October, 1943, crashing at Kiel after aerial combat. 5 victories in the Desert, 17 in the West. His first known victory, a Spitfire during the Battle of Britain, on 26 August, 1940. A 2nd, a Spitfire on 31 August, 1940, no location. A 3rd, a Spitfire over England on 26 September, 1940. In the desert on 15 July, 1941, Hptm Müncheberg came to his rescue, downing a Hurricane of RAF No. 73 Sq., which had latched onto his tail. His RK was awarded mainly for his escot work for Ju 87's, especially during July, 1941, when he downed three Hurricanes, and no Ju 87's were lost. He and gunner Uffz Mühlbrodt was shot down by a P-40 on 24 November, 1941. Heller was wounded in the left hand. Shot down with wounds in Werk # 6371, 9 October, 1943, opposing U.S. bombers during the Münster raid. This same day, he managed to down 3 B-17's in the Kielerförde/Schauberg area. A P-38 45 km SE of Livuk on 10 May, 1944.

We hope that this helps.

HLdZ
DGS