SKG/10, Night of 6/7.09.43.

[Joe Potter]

I believe that SKG/10 was tasked to attack Cambridge on this night, and that they lost two, Kurt Geisler and Helmut Breier, my question is, how many other aircraft from this unit took part in the raid?
Thanks in advance.
Joe.

[Brian Bines]

The Ministry of Home Security report claims 15 enemy aircraft operated east of a line from Chichester to Kings Lynn this night. I believe 12 Fw 190's were to due to take part in the attacks additionally Ulf Balkes book indicates 10 Me 410's of V/KG 2 were scheduled to attack airfields in the Cambridge area. I assume SKG/10 were on the same mission, hope this is of help,
Regards
Brian Bines

[Joe Potter]

Thanks Brian,
I am trying to evaluate the possibility that the losses of SKG/10 may have been witnesed by other members of that unit, and if so, would this be recorded in any Luftwaffe equivalent of a RAF Sqn ORB, please forgive my ignorance in this field of research, any help or advice would be great.
Thanks again.
Joe.

[Chris Goss]

Joe: Having researched SKG 10, I have not found anything in this form. Even the loss reports say 'Missing over England'. They tended to fly individually, not in formation so tha chances of seeing what happened would have been unlikely

[Brian Bines]

All I can add is that one of the Fw 190's was chased by S/L Howitt with F/O Irving of 85 Sqd and shot down 12 to 15 miles south of Felixstowe at 2156 hrs The other was chased by F/L Houghton with F/O Patson of 85 Sqd. but lost due to searchlight interference, however a 190 crashed at Filey's farm at Hawstead near Bury St. Edmunds at 2145 hrs. There has been some speculation that this was Hpt. Geisler's aircraft,he was a former Transport pilot and holder of the RK before becomimg Kom. I/SKG 10 in March 1943 and flew over 300 missions,
Brian

[Chris Goss]

Howitt was credited with Breier and Patson credited with the one at Hawstead which, circumstantial evidence indicates, was Geisler's. He was never Gr Kdr (at the time it was Hptm Wolrad Gerlach) but was flying with 3/SKG 10 at the time of his death

[Joe Potter]

Thanks to Brian & Chris,
I have a copy of the NVM for these two guy's, under Geisler's rank, in column three, it has (Tr.0.) any idea about the meaning of this? or is it just simply, Transport Officer!
Frau Smolka at the WASt is looking at this case, but the only positive info is that the pilot of the FW190 from Hawstead, was aged around 30years.

Joe

[Brian Bines]

Joe ,I have Geisler's dob as 28-1-1914 does the NVM comfirm this?
Cheers

[Joe Potter]

Brian,
Yes, you are correct, his EM was 53 415 B/2, Breier's date of birth was 20.10.1920, EM 68 676/1.
Joe.

[Chris Goss]

TrO I believe stands for Truppenoffizier a regular officer