Hptm. von Niebelschütz, Kdr. IV./NJG5 KIA or WIA 2/3.1.44?

[Theo Boiten]

Dear all,

I have a question re. the death of Hptm. von Niebelschütz. Although his Namentliche Verlustmeldung clearly states 'gefallen' or 'killed' on 2.1.44 (shot down by 'friendly' Flak, the I./NJG2 history written by Heinz Rökker states on page 94: after death of Hptm. Albert Schulz (on 30.1.44) Hptm. Niebelschütz takes over the Gruppe I./NJG2 ('kommissarisch'). It also states that Hptm. Zechlin took over command of I./NJG2 on 20.1.44.. A bit of a mystery. My question is; was von Niebelschütz killed, or wounded on the night of 2/3 January 1944??

Cheers, Theo

[Alain57]

Hello ,

The following link gives Hptm von Niebelschütz as Gruppenkommandeur from 31/01/44 - 20/02/44.

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nachtjagdgeschwader_2

Regards
Alain57

[RT]

Théo,
I couldn't trace anu loss with Niebelschütz !!!!

Rémi

[Kaczmarek]

Hello Theo,

for my opinion Hptm. v. Niebelschütz became Gr. kdr. of IV./N.J.G. 5 after Major Prinz zu Sayn-Wittgenstein on 1.9.1943. His aircraft crashed in the night of 2./3.1.1944 near Engelsdorf / Leipzig. He should be killed and the BF and BS should be bailed out.
Hptm. Rudolf Altendorf became his successor as Gr. kdr. of IV./N.J.G. 5

Rgds,
René

[Stig Jarlevik]

Theo

First of all I think this topic has been up for discussion before, since I have made additions in the Meyer/Stipdonk volume. It is possible I have added these details from somewhere else and in that case I apologise.

Checking my relevant second hand sources it looks like the death of Albert Schulz is 'fixed in stone', ie 30.1.1944.
This means that the date given by Rökker (20.1.1944) when Zechlin took over is wrong, and I suspect it is a misprint in his book. What Rökker really is saying is 20.2.1944, which is a date which also seems very solid. All my second hand sources states that date.

Meyer/Stipdonk does not mention any commander in between, but I have added Wolfgang von Niebelschütz as being the 'acting commander' during this period. Since none of my other sources states 'acting', it must have come from somewhere. My problem is of course I have no first hand evidence what so ever...

Checking Balss I located a Hans vom (von?) Niebelschütz as KIA on 2/3.1. 1944. No WNr is listed for his Bf 110 and the units is said to be Stab IV./NJG 5. This seems to correspond to the details stated by you. Since we have two different first names here, I would say we are dealing with two different individuals, brothers perhaps, but I have no actual evidence for that.

One oddity with all this is that I found a Hptm Ernst Zechlin WIA on the night of 19/20.2.1944 with 4./NJG 5. If this was the same Zechlin who was promoted that same morning to take over I./NJG 2 the timing must have been awkward to say the least...

Cheers
Stig

[Larry deZeng]

Let's really stir the pot here! For whatever it's worth (FWIW), here's what Doug and I have cobbled together over the years from a mix of primary and secondary documentation. If anyone has the Soldbücher or Personalakten for these two officers or other authoritative primary document sources, then please point out the errors so we can correct the record and please cite your source(s).

NIEBELSCHUTZ, Hans-Wolfgang von. (DOB: 19.04.14 in Stettin). 01.06.40 Oblt. in 4.(F)/Aufkl.Gr. 121, POW – in Ju 88 A (7A+PM) shot down by GC II/2 between Besancon and Dijon. 03.08.42 unhurt -Bf 110 force-landed at Dreierswalde. 20.09.42 Hptm., with 5./NJG 4. 08/09.07.43 Hptm., 5./NJG 4. 08.08.43 Hptm., in 5./NJG 4. 09.43 appt acting? Staka 5./NJG 5 (to 09.43). 01.09.43 Hptm., appt Kdr. of IV./NJG 5 (to 02/03.01.44, MIA – baled out vic Engelsdorf near Leipzig after being accidently hit by German Flak. 22.10.43 Hptm., IV./NJG 5. 31.01.44 Hptm., appt acting Kdr. I./NJG 2 (to 20.02.44). 17.04.44 Hptm., awarded Ehrenpokal. Credited with 11 victories.


ZECHLIN, Ernst. (DOB: 27.04.13). 10.05.40 Oblt. and Staka 13./KG.z.b.V. 1, POW/WIA - Ju 52 (1Z+KX) hit by AA fire and crash landed at Houtse Steeg. 01.02.42 promo to Hptm. 14.03.43 trf from Kampfbeobachterschule 2 to Ob.d.L. pool (Sch.Etat). 16.04.43 trf to NJG 101. 03/04.10.43 Hptm., in 4./NJG 2. 1943-44 Hptm., Staka 4./NJG 5 (to 19/20.02.44 WIA - Bf 110 G-4 (C9+AM) shot down by AA vic Motzlich near Halle/Saale). 06.01.44 Hptm., 4./NJG 5. 20.02.44 Hptm., appt Kdr. I./NJG 2 (to 23.04.44 Hptm., I./NJG 2). 12.05.44 WIA - during an Allied attack on Langensalza a/f. 22/23.04.44 Hptm., Stab I./NJG 2. 12.05.44 Hptm., Kdr. I./NJG 2 WIA - Ju 88 R-2 crashed, crew bailed out – attacked by American fighters - leg amputation resulted. 01.09.44 promo to Maj. Credited with 8 night victories.

[Xerumbe]

Hello,

I finished a job in which I talk about von Niebelschütz. He was born in Stettin the 19 april 1914. His real name was Hans-Wolf Kurt Balthasar von Niebelschütz. Father : Wolf Ernst Felix Hermann Hans Balthasar von Niebelschütz. Mother : Marie Anna Frieda Klara Luzie Doris Sophie von Niebelschütz.
His career informations are apparently true. But it is clear that he died on the night from first to second January 1944 (estimated hour: 4h45). I enclose a copy of his official death certificate (city of Prenzlau) published on October 28, 1944. I read on "Kracker Luftwaffe" that he lead the NJG 2 in late January and February 1944: it is impossible. It also does not appear that he got the DKG nor the Ehrenpokal. I only found 9 officially attributed victories and not 11 as stated (5 at NJG 4 and 4 at NJG 5).

JF