Aircrew from I/ZG 76

[Marcel Hogenhuis]

Hello Chris,

I was surprised with the number of I.NJG 1 casualties who had that number 53591 and hopefully you are too! Before presenting those names just one question: is there a list of such "unit related" numbers like 53591 ? Where can these be found?

Well, from my collection of Namentliche Verlustmeldungen I found these people with number 53591 under their names:

Uffz. Hans Betthäuser (Bofu 3/NJG 1 with Fw. Schlecht, Rossbach), KIA 19-1-1941
Oblt. Werner Hansen (St.Kpt. 3/NJG 1), KIA 10-2-1941
Lt. Jakob Bender (pilot 3/NJG 1)
Uffz. Fritz Grundmann (Bofu 3/NJG 1 with Ofw. Wegener) both KIA 28-6-1941
Ogf. Werner Vonjahr (Bofu 3/NJG 1 with Oblt. Schmitz), WIA 14-3-1942
Ogf. Albrecht Risop (Bofu 3/NJG 1 with Oblt. Johnen, KIA 26-3-1942
Fw. Walter Gross (pilot 3/NJG 1). KIA 13-4-1942
Oblt. Erich Kuhnla (pilot 3/NJG 1), KIA 28-9-1943 with JG 11
Ofw. Karl Wieland (pilot 1/NJG 1), KIA 13-1-1943
Lt. Heinz Oloff (pilot 2/NJG 1), WIA 2-3-1944
Uffz. Josef Schaffer (2/NJG 1, Bofu with Oloff), KIA 2-3-1944

Here is the compleet listing for the 3./NJG 1 on 22nd July 1940:
(pilot, Bofu)
Hansen - Stolper
Lent - Kubisch
Böhmel - Seifert
Kettling - Volk
Bender - Mosel
Herzog - Gross
Jaenicke - Grundmann
Rossbach - Lorey
Schönherr - Hoffmann
Mütschele - Gotter
Schlecht - Betthäuser

As you see, many names continued to be in the Nachtjagd so if we did not have Kettlings testimony, it would be perfectly make sense from this listing that he also was a brief period destined to become (or be) a nightfighter pilot. Perhaps it is worthwhile to ask him whether he can remember to have been in a unit with the crews mentioned above.

Keep in mind that I am not a boldheaded person, haha! All the best,

Marcel