Feldwebel Kurt Franzke

[Leo Etgen]

Hi guys

According to Mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern: die höchstdekorierten Soldaten des Zweiten Weltkrieges by Florian Berger this pilot of 10./JG 26 was serving as the wingman of Hauptmann Josef Wurmheller (102 victories, RK-S), Gruppenkommandeur of III./JG 2, on 22 June 1944 when the two fatally collided. He is generally recorded as having been killed in Bf 109 G-6 "Black 1" (W.Nr. 165 169) near Ancinnes, five kilometers south of Alencon, in aerial combat with P-47 fighters of the 365th or 368th FG, USAAF. Could anyone here please confirm or deny that he was the pilot who was involved in the incident that led to the death of Wurmheller? Many thanks.

Horrido!

Leo

[thenelm]

Fw 190A-8, 171051, Mayer, Uffz. Karl, , 9., JG 2, , , , , 22-Jun-44, Killed in collison with FW 190A-8 WNr. 171053., , FR, Ring, JG 2 loss list, p.26; Frappé, La LW face au débarquement allié, p.35, 318, , Raum Cherbourg, 100%, F, , ,
Fw 190A-8, 171053, WURMHELLER, Hptm. Josef 'Sepp', 102, Stab III., JG 2, , , , , 22-Jun-44, Gr.Kdr. Killed in collison with wingman in FW 190A-8 WNr. 171051., RK, EL., FR, Ring, JG 2 loss list, p.26; Frappé, La LW face au débarquement allié, p.35, 318;Obermaier p.38, , nördlich Alençon bei Caen, 100%, F, , ,

[Leo Etgen]

Hello Jim

Many thanks for adding this information for which I have been searching for a considerable amount of time! I have to admit that I did have my suspicions about a pilot of a different Geschwader flying as his wingman on that fateful mission so I am very grateful for your help.

Horrido!

Leo

[Tom Semenza]

According to Obermaier, Wurmheller was flying W.Nr. 171053 rather than 171051 as noted above. Which one is correct?

Tom

[thenelm]

Re-check those two losses I listed -171051 was the wingman - 171053 was Wurmheller.

[Tom Semenza]

Thanks for clearing that up.

Tom