Hptm Heinz Zoellner, II/KG 53

[Chris Goss]

The above officer was awarded the DKiG as a Lt with 6/KG 53 27 Jul 42 and RK 5 Apr 44. He is recorded as being the 6/KG 53 St Kap 11 Jun to 26 Sep 43 but I have nothing concrete on him then until his death 5 Nov 44 but he is recorded as flying with 4/KG 53 (flying a He 111 H-20 coded A1+AM). Can anyone throw any more light on this officer's career?

[Andy Fletcher]

Hi Chris,

Asked your question on the Feldgrau Forum and received the following courtesy of Lorenz.

It appears he never left II./KG 53 once posted to it in 1941 or 1942. Prior to that he was in training.

ZÖLLNER, Heinz. (DOB: 07.11.19 in Gerdauen). (R, DKG). 13.04.42 Lt., awarded the Ehrenpokal. 27.07.42 Lt., awarded DKG, 6./KG 53. 01.04.43 in KG 53, promo to Oblt. 11.06.43 Oblt., appt Staka 6./KG 53 (to 26.09.43). 05.04.44 Hptm., awarded Ritterkreuz, Staka 6./KG 53. 01.05.44 promo to Hptm. 1944 Hptm., in II./KG 53 (to 05.11.44). 05.11.44 MIA – in He 111H with a crew of 5 that failed to return to Bad Zwischenahn from an airborne V-1 launching mission against London.

Regards

Andy Fletcher

[Chris Goss]

Thanks Andy but why does the NVM for his death say he was with 4 Staffel (unless 6 Staffel became 4 Staffel in one of these many Luftwaffe reorganisations!)?

[Andy Fletcher]

Originally Posted by Chris Goss

but why does the NVM for his death say he was with 4 Staffel (unless 6 Staffel became 4 Staffel in one of these many Luftwaffe reorganisations!)?

Sorry I don't know. Maybe an error because he was flying a 4 staffel machine at the time of his death.

[Chris Goss]

Thanks anyway. NVM says 4/KG 53 and the aircraft was 4/KG 53 but he was, from what I can make out, always 6/KG 53