Seeking information on Oblt. Hans Eichleiter possible StaKap of 2./StG1 during spring-summer of 1940

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

In trying to assemble the leadership list for I./StG1 during the 1939-40 period, I've received information that Oblt. Hans Eichleiter may have been the StaKap of 2 Staffel from June, 1940, following the death of Oblt. Heinz Bohne in Norway on 2.6.40, until about 9.40, when Lt. Gerhard Grenzel took over the unit until his death on 10.1.41. Does anyone know the exact dates of his service with the unit, and why he left?

In the Luft Off Career Summ there is no Hans Eichleiter listed, although there is a man by that last name who was lost with an unknown unit 1942. No way to know if this is the same person, and provides no help anyway on his possible assignments during 1940.

Regards,

Larry Hickey
EoE Project Coordinator

[Matti Salonen]

This might be next position of your man ( I have no other Eichleiter in my database):

1942-11-14, 6./St.G 3, Ju 87D-3 Trop, 2806, 40 km nordwestlich Kap Bone, Notwasserung infolge Jägerbeschuß. Bruch 100 %.
Flugzeugführer (Staffelkapitän) Olt Eichleiter, Hans, gefangen
Bordfunker Ofw Fischer, Helmut, gefangen

Matti

[Larry Hickey]

Matti,

Thanx. Since this Hans Eichleiter was also a Stuka leader, this is very likely the same person. Now need some confirmation that he was StaKap of 2./StG1 during 1940, and his dates in that position.

Making progress.

Regards,

Larry Hickey
EoE Project Coordinator

[Andrew Arthy]

Hi Larry,

The A.I.(K) report for Oblt. Hans Eichleiter doesn't answer your question, but does provide a few details:

He was born on 27 December 1918, and had been in the Luftwaffe for three years. His Ausweis was issued by F.H.K. 12/XIII on 24 July 1940. He was promoted to Oberleutnant on 1 October 1941, and had the EK I and II.

Cheers,
Andrew A.

Air War Publications - www.facebook.com/airwarpublications

[Larry Hickey]

Andrew,

Very useful clues. My source in Germany says that he was a Lt. when he was "presumably" StaKap of 2./StG1, which seems a little odd to me. A Lt. could be a StaKap when appointed, but normally would have been promoted to Oblt. shortly afterwards. Since he didn't make Oblt. until 1941, this seems to me unlikely that he would have been StaKap of 2./StG1 from June to Sept., 1940, even on an acting basis.

If Eichleiter was not the unit StaKap, who was? This is the only time-gap that I have for the I./StG1 StaKap positions during 1939-40.

Someone must have some information that will help solve this mystery.

Regards,

Larry Hickey
EoE Project Coordinator