14/JG77 Norway 30 July 1941

[Andre Stewart]

Brian / Francis,

Isn't this the same Lt Franz Mentzel who flew with I./ZG2 [JGr102 at that time] in the Polish campaign, claiming 1 victory?

Do you know anything about his career from Poland until his move to 14./JG77 in April 1941? What about his wartime fate?

Any info is appreciated.

rgds
andre

[markjsheppard]

From letter I sent to Jagerblatt - 2003

I am trying to find the family of Hptm Franz Mentzel regarding some research I am undertaking into 14./JG77 on the Murmansk Front in summer 1941. Enclosed are his details from the Bundesarchiv.

I am assuming he survived the war and lived in West Germany. I doubt he is still alive now, although he may still be.

12.05.1916 (near Stettin)
??.??.???? Zerstörersch. Schliessheim
??.??.???? 3./JG 102
??.??.1939 - 15.05.1940 3./ZG 2 1939 (POW France)
20.04.1941 - 09.05.1941 StaKa 9./ZG 76
10.05.1941 - 03.06.1941 StaFhr 2./JG 77
04.06.1941 - 29.01.1942 StaFhr 14./JG 77 (JSt Kirkenes)
30.01.1942 - 24.09.1942 StaKa 5./JG 5
25.09.1942 - 06.05.1943 StaKa 3./JG 5
07.05.1943 - 21.09.1943 Luftkriegsschule 4 Fürstenfeldbruck
22.09.1943 - 14.06.1944 KG 2 (? v. Fronterfahrungen)
15.06.1944 - 19.07.1944 Luftkriegsschule 3
20.07.1944 - 31.08.1944 Frontfliegersammengruppe
01.09.1944 - ??.??.???? Erg.J.Gr. Nieder...
??.??.???? - 13.10.1944 Jagdgruppe Ost
14.10.1944 - 16.10.1944 Verbandsführerlehrgang
17.10.1944 - 05.02.1945 StaKa 9./JG 77
06.02.1945 - ??.??.???? Verbandsführerlehrgang, Gen.d.Jagdfl.

Promotions:
Oblt 06.1941
Hptm 01.09.1943

(Source: Bundesarchiv)

Found out nothing more. I was interested as they had combats with the RAF Hurricanes of 151 Wing in August/September 1941.

Hope this helps.

regards.

MS

[Andre Stewart]

Hello Mark,

Thanks for sharing your info.

My interest is in the "gap" between his capture in May 40 and his appt as St Kap 9./ZG76 in Apr 41.

Mentzel seems to have "disappeared from the records" after his POW stint. In all likelihood he returned to I./ZG2 after release. This unit suffered serious losses during BoB and was disbanded in Sep 40. And now with info from your entries it is probable that he was assigned to III./ZG76 on or around that time. The fact that III./ZG76 moved to Norway in early 41 makes Mentzel well placed to take up the St.Kap appt of 14./JG77 later on.

Of course all these are purely my own deductions and can only be verified from Mentzel's personnel records or other primary sources. But this is what I can make out of his movements to "fill in" the gap.

Very interesting indeed. Once again, my thanks.

rgds
andre

[Dmitry Volodin]

Hi guys
Is it known now who was claimants from 14./JG 77 except 6 Zerstoerer claims?