AIR2/8739, Uffz Karl Castens, 16.06.1944.

[Joe Potter]

Thanks Jaap, I will do as you suggest, however, I am told, from a good source, that the EM 65061/46 is related to 11/KG 100, has this Geschwader a historian?
Thanks
Joe

[Brian Bines]

Hi Joe,
The NVM for Uffz. Karl Castens no.53489/96 shows he was the Obs. of a He 177 of 5/KG 40 lost on 7.6.44 reported as over the Seine Estuary, with all crew missing. None of the other crewmen have a EM of 65061/46;- Ff Ofw. Hans Muller 53489/18, Kb Castens, Bf Ofw Josef Bange 62563/35, Bm Ofw. Karl-Heinz Volkmer 53489/53, Bs Uffz.Heinz Friedrich 53499/35, Bs Uffz. Erhard Uhlemann 53489/15.
The EM 65061 is identified from 'K' reports as belonging to 11/KG 100 so the airman found with? or at the same time may have come from a Do 217 of III/KG 100 who had several losses in the period.
It was likely that Casten's aircraft fell to a Mosquito of 456 Sqd. who claimed four He 177's on the 7th. June.
Regards
Brian

[Brian]

Hi guys

Most interesting. I don't mean to keep plugging my books but the losses suffered by the missile-carrying Dorniers during this period are covered in my forthcoming book 'Diver! Diver! Diver!', due out in September.

Cheers
Brian