Hptm. Horst Liensberger

[Dean M. Wick]

Good afternoon: I am trying to trace the 4 victory claims of Hptm Horst Liensberger, Gruppen Kdr. of V(Z)/LG1, based on a picture of the wreckage of his Bf110, downed in a collision with P/O Burton of 249 Sqn. on Sept. 27th, 1940. The Photo shows 4 rather atypical markings of 4 British roundels on the tail of this A/C. Woods lists show 3 of these claims, although I suspect the one on 15.8.40 to be a duplicate of the 13.8.40 claim. PeterTaghon's "Lehrgeschwader 1, Vol.1" omits the 15.8.40 claim, but is in agreement with the other two. I know that Liensberger came from I/ZG52 prior to his appointment to V(Z)/LG1 but have no evidence of claims with that unit. Can anyone assist with this? Thanks Dean.

[Doug Stankey]

I don’t know if this helps but here is what we have on this guy:

LIENSBERGER, Horst.
04.07.39 Hptm., trf from RLM pool to I./ZG 52.
01.09.39 Staka 2./ZG 52 (to 24.09.39).
24.09.39 appt Staka 2./JGr. 152 (to 04.02.40).
11.04.40 Hptm., appt Kdr. V.(Zerst.)/LG 1.
27.09.40 Hptm., V.(Z)/LG 1 KIA by collision with a fighter of 249.Sqdn. vic Simmons Field. (Bf 110C-2, L1+XB, WNr.3560).

Sorry, we don’t collect claims data.

LdZ
DGS

[Tom Semenza]

Dean,

Liensberger's first claim as listed in Die Jagdfliegerverbände der Luftwaffe, Teil 2 was a Curtiss Hawk on 30.09.39 while flying a Bf 109D-1 as Staffelkaptän of 2./JGr. 152. This was the temporary designation of I./ZG 52 while equiped with the single-seaters. This claim is also in the Wood list.

However there is in fact no agreement between Wood and Taghon on the date of the two Spitfire claims with V.(Z)/LG 1 . The former gives the dates as 15.08 and 26.08, while the latter gives them as 13.08 and 25.08. The times listed for the two respective claims are the same so I feel they refer to the same events.

Unfortunately, this still leaves us with only 3 claims accounted for.

Best wishes,
Tom

[Dean M. Wick]

Tom and Doug: Thank you both for your reply. Tom, I did in fact, have the 30.9.39 claim with JGr.152 in my stuff, but clearly overlooked it...too much Glen Fiddich I guess. I agree Re: the discrepancy on the BOB claims with regard to dates, although when cross referencing missions to Ludwig v. Eimansberger's " Zerstorer gruppe" and Vasco/Cornwell's "Zerstorer" I am inclined to lean more towards Taghon's conclusions regarding at least the 25.8.40 claim. As well documented as V(Z)/LG1's Hx. is, the missing 14(Z)/LG1 claims, and other claims listed as "Not known" both in France and the BOB, leaves several possibilities.In going over Peter Cornwell's "Battle of France, Then and Now" there is evidence to suggest as many as 12 undocumented claims involving V(Z)/LG1 in the French Campaign alone. For example, Oblt. Walter Fenske of 14(Z)/LG1 is reported to have claimed 6 daylight Victories before transferring to nightfighters, only the dates of his 2 Polish claims being known. Interesting stuff... Thanks again. Dean.

[Andy Saunders]

I do have access to Liensberger's log-book. I will check to see what is there.

[Dean M. Wick]

Thanks Andy, that would be much appreciated. Dean