2x Heinkel 111's lost 28.9.40 II/KG26

[steve sheridan]

Good morning folks,

can anybody help identify 2 crews all killed following ops over England 28.9.40 from II/KG26.

He111H-3 W.Nr 5621 Crashed on return from operations, cause not known.

He111H-3 W.Nr 3190 Crashed at St.Germain, on return from ops.

Ive consulted the usual sources incl BoBTN, Masons BoB book, and various other titles, but alas nothing!
Perhaps if somebody as access to the relevant NVM's or GQM lists maybe these names are recorded?
Any help appreciated.

Best regs,
Steve.

[Andreas Brekken]

Hi, Steve

The GQM lists give the following:

5621
http://www.ahs.no/ref_db/lw_loss_pub...?lossid=116779

3190
http://www.ahs.no/ref_db/lw_loss_pub...?lossid=116778

So - not much to go on there....

I am afraid you have to get some NVM information on this one, or local information with regards to burials

It is a shame that you cannot search by date only on the Volksbund site... but perhaps if you send them a mail they can provide a search result for you?

Regards,
Andreas B

[Brian Bines]

Steve,

This may need further checking but in the book 'Achtung Torpedos Los ' the loss lists does not show crewmen lost on 28/29-Sept in the II/KG26 list. However in III/KG26 losses for the 28th it shows the following killed in crashes in France Uffz Franz Meuthen, Gef. Herbert Nisch, Gef.Heinz Fielitz, Gef Wilhelm Rinke, Uffz Heinz Weihe, Ofw. Heinrich Kirchner, Uffz. Werner Seemann, Gef. Siegfried Friesser. The names are often in order Ff, B,Bf, Bm so these may be the two crews you are looking for. As far as I could see from the Q.M's list only II/KG26 had losses on the 28th,

Regards

Brian Bines

[Peter Cornwell]

Details of these losses herewith:

II./KG26 Heinkel He 111H-3 (5621). Crashed and burned outside Le Bourget on return from combat mission, cause unknown. FF Uffz Heinz Weihe, BO Oberfw Heinrich Kirchner, BF Uffz Werner Sooman, and HS Gefr Siegfried Frießer (all of 7./KG26) killed. Aircraft 100% write-off.

5./KG26 Heinkel He 111H-3 (3190). Crashed and burned out at St. Germain following operational sortie, cause unknown but possibly battle damage. FF Uffz Franz Meuthen, BO Gefr Herbert Nisch, BF Gefr Heinz Fielitz, and HS Gefr Wilhelm Rinke (all of 9./KG26) killed. Aircraft 1H+LN 100% write-off.

I'm unable to explain why III Gruppe crews were apparently operating II Gruppe aircraft but that is what the records show.

[steve sheridan]

Gentleman, many thanks to you all, for your excellent information.
Another mystery once again!

Peter, could the III/KG26 crews being used were down to the fact II/KG26
had lost so many a/c and crew during september, and again with at least half the Gruppen a/c suffering damage from 10 up to 50% also?

At this time also the III/KG26 wasn't operational and preparing for the night Blitz equipping with the new He111H-5 and undertaking training with the Y-Verfahren installation. Perhaps a few crews were given valuable operational experience?
I guess we will never know one way or the other.

Best regs,
Steve.

[Peter Cornwell]

Steve,

It seems that II Gruppe may have inherited some of the II Gruppe machines that were being replaced to make good the losses you mention.

[jim norton]

hi,
some crews were even transfered from III./26 to II./26! this happened in 4/1940, take a look at the new book "die dunklen jahre" by alexander steenbeck (see www.diedunklenjahre.de).
all the best
jim

[steve sheridan]

Peter/Jim thank you for the additional information.

Jim, whats your view on the Steenbeck book? is it worth getting hold of.

Rgs
Steve.

[jim norton]

hi steve,

it is more than worth buying it! many info on I-III./kg 26 until 1940/41, and then IV./kg 26 until 1944 combined with lots of photos i´ve never seen before. and lots of loss data is also included, but mainly in the luebeck area or at other places, whre there went from luebeck. but interesting is the data about the machines which had maintenance at luebeck - all with wnr, stkz and unit-code and even its fate.

all the best
jim

[steve sheridan]

Jim thank you very much indeed for the information, i shall add this title to my wish list!
Sounds like a superb book, many thanks.

Best regs,
Steve.