Alfons Klein

[Håkan]

Hello everybody,

While studying Larry and Doug’s excellent “Office Career Database” (OCD), I’ve run into some questions regarding a couple of pilots…

According to all sources (including OCD) Alfons Klein served in Legion Condor in Spain as an Oberleutnant in J/88. He is reputed to have claimed 1 victory in Spain. He continued to serve in the Second World War and ended this conflict with 38 victories (+1 in Spain). However, according to Tony Holmes victory lists this Alfons Klein started the war as an Unteroffizier (JG 52) and wasn’t a Leutnant until 1944.
Is this actually the same Alfons Klein?

I actually have a Leutnant Gerhard Klein as part of the first group of German pilots that arrived in Spain in the end of July 1936. Could it be this Klein that made the claim in Spain (on 26/09/36)?
However this Klein seems to have been shot down by Flak on 18 January 1938, which seems like an to-long period for service in Spain…

Best wishes/Håkan

[Leo Etgen]

Hello Håkan

According to Jagdgeschwader 52 by John Weal, Oberleutnant Alfons Klein was a veteran of the Legion Condor with one victory when appointed Staffelkapitän of 3./JG 433 in November 1938. He was killed on 18 February 1939, when the Ju 53/3m tri-motor transport he was a passenger in crashed due to severe icing in a snowstorm over the Eger hills while en route from Ingolstadt to Berlin. Purportedly, he was going to attend the Berlin Motor Show. The Ritterkreuzträger that served with JG 52 and JG 11 was a different person.

Horrido!

Leo

[Håkan]

Hello Leo,

Thanks for the quick reply!
That seems to be the answer I was looking for!

Much appreciated!

Best wishes/Håkan

[Doug Stankey]

The above explains the rank inconsistency. This sort of problem keeps arising especially when there is more than one person of the same or similar name. All we can do is clarify them as the information arises. In this case we have the further complication in that we have little data concerning Condor Legion matters.

[Håkan]

Hello Doug and thanks for your reply!

I agree with you that it’s impossible to have 100% correct info in this amount of information and some inconsistencies will always appear. This is why the work you and Larry have done is so invaluable since it’s only when you start to compare the available material that you can find the inconsistencies and faults.

Keep up the good work!

Best wishes/Håkan

[Edward L. Hsiao]

Did this Alfons Klein, who was the Knight's Cross holder, shot down some four-engined bombers among his 39 air to air victories?

Edward L. Hsiao

[Leo Etgen]

Hello Edward

He claimed 39 victories, including 33 on the Eastern Front and six on the Western Front, but no four-engined bombers. I hope this helps.

Horrido!

Leo

[Edward L. Hsiao]

Thank you for your answer.

Edward L. Hsiao