Heinkel He 46 - Hermann Gade

[knusel]

Good afternoon Gentlemen,

Career Summaries - Luftwaffe Officers 1935 - 1945 by Henry L. deZeng IV and Douglas G. Stankey includes the following entry:

GADE, Hermann. 10.43 Lt., 1./Störkampfgruppe Luftflotte 4 (to 18.10.43 then 1./NSGr. 7). 02.12.43 Lt., 1./NSGr. 7. 11.03.44 Lt., 1./NSGr. 7 KIA - He 46 (DB+ZC) shot down 500 m WNW of Kolo. Credited with 1009 missions.

The mission count seems unnaturally high for someone without Knight's Cross (and for such a short service duration). Does somebody of you know more about this pilot ?

Cheers,

Michael

[jim norton]

hi michael,
gade´s flugbuch shows 98 feindfluege...
all the best
jim

[knusel]

Thanks Jim.
That sounds much more realistic.
I suppose he flew all of his missions in the Heinkel He 46, and therefore he might be one of the top pilots of that plane.
The only guy I know, who might have a higher He 46 mission tally is Heinz Buss. I'll try to figure out the exact number.

Have a nice 2. Advent Sunday,
Michael

[knusel]

...has anybody ever come across a photo of Heinz Buss ?

Cheers,

Michael

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by knusel

...has anybody ever come across a photo of Heinz Buss ?

Cheers,

Michael

See page 112 of my book 'Ghost Bombers, the Moonlight War of NSG 9: Luftwaffe Night Attack Operations from Anzio to the Alps' (Classic Publications Ltd., Crowborough, November 2001) ISBN 1 903223 15 6

[Csaba B. Stenge]

Michael,

If you are looking for highest number of He 46 sorties, consider some Hungarian pilots. They flew combat soties with the type from 1939 till 1944 - mostly in the classic reconnaissance role, but few night assault missions were also flown. I personally knew several Hungarian He 46 pilots who flew over 50 combat sorties on the type.

[knusel]

Cool.
Can you tell me the name of a pilot with a high Heinkel He 46 mission total?