Allied crashes and German KE reports

[Larry deZeng]

Zorglub -

The story of these so-called "Luftgau" crashed enemy aircraft reports that use prefixes like KE, KU, ME, J, etc. has been covered in detail a number of times here on the 12 O'Clock High Forum. If you will use the site's SEARCH function you should find all the information you want, especially the fact that the thousands of reports on RAF aircraft are still in the hands of the British Ministry of Defence and still unavailable to researchers.

[zorglub]

Thanks Larry

What a shame ! Why this policy from the MoD ? Is that as sensitive as the MREU reports about remains found at crash-sites ?
Obviously this is a great source for searchers .

Zorglub

[RodM]

Hi Zorglub,

to amplify what Larry has already said, the current MoD classification policy regarding the captured reports is the same as that for the still-classified MRES Casualty Investigation files simply because, according to the RAF AHB, the reports are all filed with the relevant MRES files.

It seems that, unlike what happened in the US, the original German folders were broken up and the contents put on the Casualty Investigation files. This, of course, begs the question - what happened to captured reports that couldn't be matched to an Investigation file? According to the AHB they were destroyed...

Anyway, you could try writing to the British RAF Air Historical Branch requesting a copy of the reports you seek (be sure to quote the date, sqdn and aircraft type and serial associated with the reports).

Cheers

Rod M

[Henk Welting]

Zorglub,

Possible candidates for 6-1-1944:
315 Sqn lost Mk.V serial P8744 near Landiviseau, time given as 1405 hrs.
91 Sqn lost Mk.XII serial EN223 S of Valéry.

Henk.

[Robert Reid]

If crew contained RCAF member then if KIA the details of loss are in their personel file. These records are held at Canadian national archives in Ottawa. You can search online and request copy of file. Canada so long as individual dead>.20 years no prob to get file.

I hve records for crews who flew in Dambuster raid ( RCAF ) members. no dificulty at al to getl.
Interestingly ,page 11 of one report was missing and Ottawa said contact RAF. All it was cemetery map of graves. When I called Insworth, they were extremely pissed I had file,saying it was illegal, would be upsetting if info was given out. I explained all I wanted was was hand drawn map of site graves in cemetery missing from Canadian record!!!!! which are legally available Woman was less than happy to say least.!!!.
Really is weird way of thinking.
In another case ,information was in a file at Kew from war crimes trial that was available. Yet Insworth refused me getting copy again saying was too sensitive. The information wasnt at all sensitive in fact.

On similar point I tried to get my uncle's records from RN , my mother was interested in finding out about his war record. They refused saying she wasnt next of kin. since he was married (wife also deceased now!) My cousin wasnt traceable at time.

Grman records are hard to get but have had sucess at going to relevent office with written questions and getting answers to them.