Erich Kuhlmann JG53

[Tom Semenza]

Quite right, Robert, my mistake. He had the same first name but was an Unteroffizier in 4./JG 53.

Thanks,
Tom

[steve sheridan]

Erich, thanks very much for sharing the Flugbuch entry with us.
Very interesting indeed.
I echo Tom's request for further information on his earlier flights, if you'd be willing to share this with us?
Any further information would be most appreciated.

Kindest regs,
Steve.

[Erich Kuhlmann]

There are 809 flights entered in the logbooks, and I do not have time at the moment to transcribe them into a typed format. If you have a specific date request I will try my best to assist. For the most part the entries are basic; pilot, aircraft type, departure and arrival destinations, and time of flight. In the pre-war book there is some mention of aircraft serial numbers but this practice stops in the wartime book. The book simply states BF109E. There are several entries in the 1940 time period with additional details of fighting French or British aircraft.
There are no flights logged for Spain. He lists flight 261 on 18.10.37 and flight 262 on 15.9.38. The two entries are in different hands indicating a lapse of time. Interestingly, some of the entries appear to have been entered by Kuhlmann but most appear to be from a clerk.

[Erich Kuhlmann]

Kuhlmann's last combat claim was a Hurricane on 02.09.1940. His log records flying from Neuville with 17 other aircraft, departing at 17:15. Is there a record of the Hurricane that he downed?

[steve sheridan]

Thanks for that Erich!
do you have at hand the details of the a/c flown on the dates of his kills previously. Either Werknummer or tactical codes?

Rgs,
Steve.

[Erich Kuhlmann]

Please forgive mistakes in transposing German wording. Robert has copies of the original and he would be able to provide the correct wording.

549, 30.09.39, Kuhlmann, BF109E, +13, Greuziabewailung, Wiesbaden, 13:43, Wiesboden, 15:10, Flugdauer 87, 1 Curtiss, Abyschuss cu.

682,14.05.40 Kuhlmann, BF109E, +10, Frei Jagd i.R. Sedan, Kirchberg, 18:50, Triar, 20.20, Flugdauer 95, Blenheim, Wellington

686, 15.05.40, Kuhlmann, BF109E, +6, Frei Jagd i.R. Sedan, Kirchberg, 15:20, Kirchberg, 16:50, Flugdauer 90, Bloch 151

807-809, 2.9.40, Kuhlmann, three flights from Neuville...
a. +3, Dover-Ashford, 8:25- 9:40, Flug 60, Fb. m. Hurricane u Spitfire, Spitfire Abgsischuann (Haupt. Lippert 1 Hurricane)
b. +3, Uber fri Averuy, 10:00 - 11:25, Flug 85,
c. +17, V.K.-Verbaiden, u.d. Theruscurindy, 17:15 Did not return from combat. There is a note stating logbook is correct and signed.

[Tom Semenza]

Erich,

Many thanks! That is exactly the information I was hoping you could supply.

Regards,
Tom

[christian]

Hallo Erich

Flug Nummer 549, Grund für den Flug war Grenzüberwachung.

Gruß Christian

[steve sheridan]

Christian, for the benefit of us non speaking Germans, means??

Rgs,
Steve.

[robert]

Border patrol.

Robert