A puzzle on Lt Heinz Wilberg

[Tom Semenza]

I hate to throw a monkey wrench into the works but the Heinz Wilberg of ZG 2 and NJG 4 would appear to be two seperate individuals. The ZG 2 Wilburg was a Leutnant in Sept. 1939, while the NJG 4 Wilburg was a Feldwebel as late as June 1943. By May 1944 he had been promoted Leutnant. Now it is certainly possible that the ZG 2 Wilberg was demoted for disciplinary reasons, several other examples are known.

I would however point out a few anomalies. Larry de Zeng says that he was awarded the Ehrenpokal on 17.11.41. Wilberg's first night claim was on 25.10.42! Seems odd that a Nachtflieger without any claims would have been awarded the EP. Further, while Theo Boiten lists the 5 night claims of Heinz Wilberg of NJG 4 as his 1st through 5th in the text of his books, in the pilot index at the end of The Nachtjagd War Diaries, Vol. 2 Boiten shows Wilberg with 5 night claims plus 13 day victories! However no other unit except NJG 4 is listed for Wilberg. Curiuoser and curiouser!

Regards,
Tom

[Andre Stewart]

Tom,

No problem with the monkey wrench!

My own line of thinking is that the ZG2 Wilberg and the NJG4 Wilberg are the same person, as the EK Nr provides a direct link between them. But you are right to say that it does not address the anomalies in rank and awards. And it is probably these anomalies that have led both you and the Kracker Archives (there are 2 entries for Heinz Wilberg) to conclude that there are 2 persons involved. Demotion is certainly a possibility but that is not known for certain with the info we currently have on him.

I think the key to resolving this issue with certainty is the unit transfers and other records of the ZG2 Wilberg in the period from late 1940 until mid-1942. And that answer could be found in the Personnel files at BAMA Freiburg, where I hope to make a search request.

Unless someone has already done that and is willing to share his findings here ... ??? ...

rgds
andre