Erich Kuhlmann JG53

[robert]

Hi Peter,

according to information from his logbook (thanks James!) he was missing after taking off for last sortie at 17.15.

Regards

Robert

[fran]

Hello,
Do exist his flugbuch with his flights in Spain?
Thank you

[Erich Kuhlmann]

The logbooks are complete from 1937 to 1940. However, the flights in Spain are not recorded. His logbook simply continues with his numbered flights in Europe.

The only explanation I have is that he was under orders to keep the flights confidential.

[steve sheridan]

Hi Erich / Robert,
i would be interested to know whether his logbook records what a/c he was flying the day he was lost? ... yellow 6?

I would really be interested to know more about his flights during the Western Campaign leading up to the Battle Of Britain.
Did he record the a/c codes in the logbooks during this period?

Best regards,
Steve.

[Chris Goss]

Steve

It is my experience that some recorded Wk Nrs, some recorded Kennzeichen but whether someone recorded what he was flying when he went missing is another matter.

In respect of Spain, I was in touch with the daughter of Hans Karl Mayer of 1/JG 53-he had logbook entries up to his time in Spain and after and nothing at all for Spain so it would be intersting to know what the German orders were for logbooks in Spain

Chris

[steve sheridan]

Thanks Chris, yes i have seen examples of both Kennziffen and Werknummern recorded in Flugbuch's, just curious to know if anything further could be gleaned from Kuhlmanns, bearing in mind he flew through the Western Campaign and in the BoB!
It may have been possible to tie up some known W.Nr losses with new Kennziffern?

Best Regs,
Steve.

[Peter Cornwell]

Robert,


Thanks for the details from the Flugbuch which allow us to take this case forward. The only contemporary British reports filed on this incident were an RAF A.I.1.(g) Report (AIR 22/266) giving the date/time of the crash as ‘2/9 at 08.50 hours’ & a report filed by Ashford ARP Centre (timed 09.30 – 09.41) that recorded an ‘Enemy aircraft down Bridge Farm, Bilsington, MR 27/82. No damage to property or stock’. Given these timings, the fresh evidence from the Flugbuch precludes Oberfw Erich KUHLMANN as a candidate for the pilot killed at Bilsington and buried as an ‘Unknown’ at New Romney. So, as there are only two Bf109E pilots unaccounted for on that date, it therefore follows that the Unknown German Airman now interred in Grave 1-5-152 at Cannock Chase is most likely Lt Herbert RIEGEL as Erich KUHLMANN was lost over the Channel later in the day.


Another one for you, Joe.

[Erich Kuhlmann]

Here is a scan of a typical entry. I have sent Robert scans of the entire second logbook (1939 - 1940).

[Tom Semenza]

Erich,

Thanks for sharing that with us. Can you tell us which tactical number(s) Kuhlmann was flying when he made his four claims, namely:

30.09.39 Curtiss Hawk 75
14.05.40 Blenheim
15.05.40 Bloch 151
02.09.40 Spitfire

Also what was the number of the plane was he flying (Bf 109E-1) on 28.05.40 when he had to made a belly-landing (30% damaged.)

Thanks in advance,
Tom

[robert]

28.05.40 - this was another Kuhlmann (4./JG53)!

Robert