Stuka Pilot Interview

[biltongbru]

Originally Posted by Larry Hickey

I would appreciate additional narratives from Dr. Midgeod's BoB service. Specifically the difference between action in the WC and BoB missions. Any memories of specific missions (witnessed victories or crashes, important targets, etc...) would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Heinz told me today that they did very few missions (3 or 4) before the Stuka attack was cancelled. They did attcks on targets in the Southhampton areas as well as the Isle of White. They were stationed in Normandie and did then nothing except the occasional attacks on enemy shipping in the channel. I must still get all his experiences during BOB on camera. Next week he is going to show me his flight book in his posession, he had originally 3 but 2 were lost, hopefully the BOB missions are in there.

[biltongbru]

Originally Posted by gedburke3

Hi,
I agree, a great post. What a treat to meet him as well.
Could you ask for a copy of a period photograph of him and his aircraft and post them here for us to see?
Cheers
Gerry

His aircraft in Crete (Maleme)













Portrait of Heinz:

[biltongbru]

Originally Posted by ErichB

Could you ask him if he might have known Josef Wenigmann? He was in II/St.G.3 and III/St.G.3 but was also involved in the attack on the Metaxas Line and was awarded the RK of the Iron Cross in July 1941. I have some of Wenigmann's documents in my collection.
I'm also curious--did Dr. Migeod start with the Stukas in 1935-36? And what are his remembrances about the Ju87 itself?
Thanks!
Erich

He does not recall this person. He said that they were stationed at another airfield during the Metaxas Line attack.

[biltongbru]

Originally Posted by gedburke3

Thanks for that, I look forward to seeing it.
I know that 1 St. G 76 were involved in a training incident on 15 august 39 at Neuhammer where almost the entire staffel crashed into the ground due to fog.
They were being led by Hauptmann Sigel and were demonstrating dive bombing tactics to some senior Luftwaffe officers.
Was Heinz involved that day?
Gerry

I asked Heinz about this today. He remember this incident very well. He said this happened about 2 weeks before the attack on Poland. He said the following:

They had a live ammunition excercise with the army. Two of the three stuka squadrons under leadership of Sigel made the dive but there was fog. Sigel thought that the fog will be high enough for them to dive through and then have clear viewunder the fog. At 1000 meters Sigel realised the fog was still there and ordered the pilots to pull out. This message was not heard by the 2 squadrons and they crashed into the ground. Sigel pulled out at tree top height. The 3d squadron realised there was trouble and did not dive. Sigel was put under military arrest for three days but was eventually bailed out by Kesselring. He said the group strengh was quickly replaced and ready for the attack in Poland.

Heinz himself was still in training at that stage and was not involved.