Looking for the name of an Austrian Leutnant (Stuka Geschwader) shot down at Eleusis - 19th April 1941

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Good evening to all members.

Am just finishing the most pleasant reading "War in a Stringbag" from Cdr Charles Lamb, DSO, DFC from the Fleet Air Arm.

There is an interesting passage which I quote:

"The 19th (April 1941) was a Saturday, and on that day the ack-ack gunners defending Eleusis airfield succeeded in shooting down three Stukas. The pilot of one was captured by the Australians defending the airfield...."

After being introducted to the Austrian pilot, Charles Lamb asked him was was wrong. And this was his answer:

"The British Navy are Gentlemen" he said, pronouncing each syllable separately, his face rigid with emotion; "But the Austrlians are not Gentlemen".

We asked him what was troubling him and he murmured that they had kicked his behind, torn off his buttons and ribbons, and stolen his Iron Cross".

IS the identity of this Austrian pilot who apparently became a POW and suffered at the hands of the Australians known? He may be one of the 3 pilots shot down near or at Eleusis that particular 19th April 1941.

Adriano S. Baumgartner

[Ian Jewison]

I only see three Stuka crews killed or missing over Malta on that date from I and III/St.G. 1.

/Ian

[kaki3152]

He is talking about the Greek campaign.

[Ian Jewison]

I know... there were no Ju 87 pilots that I can see on that day over Greece that were missing or shot down... so they must have been flying other aircraft..... again none that I can see at that location.

/Ian

[Adriano Baumgartner]

This looks to be the problem with "memory" on those post-war published war memories or war diaries.

"War in a Stringbag" was first published in 1977, some 32+ years after the events that the author lived first hand.

Unless he had kept a war diary where he took notes, it is most probable that he may have messed up dates or events, even though some of his combat sorties were pretty well described into this lovely and fascinating (and recommended) reading.

Maybe Ian got the truth behind the narrative...maybe the Austrian pilot came from another unit...and the author may have messed up JUNKERS for Stuka....

Adriano

[Ian Jewison]

The only one that seems to fit the location, rough time frame and was a Stuka pilot is the following:

HOWEVER he is German not Austrian.

WILDE, Hans. (DOB: 06.05.16 in Köln). (DKG). 01.08.39 promo to Oblt., in St.G. 77. 07.09.39 Oblt. associated with 5. Flugh.Betr.Kp./St.G. 77, but may have belonged to I./ZG 2. 22.04.41 Oblt., Staka 8./St.G. 77 MIA/POW - Ju 87 (F1+AN) emergency landing at Eleusis. 23.08.41 arrived as POW in Sydney/Australia. 01.04.42 promo to Hptm. 01.08.44 officially listed as a POW or internee in a neutral country. 21.01.47 Repatriated from Australia to Germany.

/Ian

[Versuch]

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/Sear.../NAAMedia/Show

Note the personal effects....

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/Sear...aspx?B=9907549

[Col Bruggy]

Hello,

Hans Wilde's Bordfunker:

22/04/1941
8./St.G. 77
Ju 87 (F1+AN) W.Nr. 5596

Uffz Walter SCHUBERT- POW

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/Sear...arcode=8619647

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/Sear...arcode=9908294

Col.

[Boris Ciglic]

Hi,

I'm going through some Ultra files and in 871A/9 the StG 2 reported on the 20.4. to Fl.Kps.VIII "losses from crews of III./StG 2 - Willi Opel, Uffz.) Hermann Zelen Fw. and 2 others."
Then, in: 872/50: "Casualty report made by III./StG 2 to Air Ministry Dept.L.P. on 19.4. contained mention of loss of 4 persons (2 Fw and 2 Uffz) belonging to flying personnel."
Could this be connected with the "Stringbag" story?

Boris

[sveahk]

This may not have anything to do with Adrianos query - still, it's quite close by in time and geography...

I've got information for a Uffz Wilhelm Opel. He piloted a Stuka in Greece belonging to the 8./StG 77. According to his loss card he was killed around noon during an enemy flight (Feindflug) over Ptolemais, 18.4.1941. Ptolemais in northern Greece (and not in Libya...). Obviously also buried there.

Cheers Hans K