Sachs - LW pilot with brother in SAAF?

[DavidIsby]

Burns' book BADER'S MEN states that Lt. Albert "Bertie" Sachs, SAAF, who flew Spitfires with 92 Squadron in Italy in 1943 (and was the subject of an earlier query by me here) was of German background and that in 1943 his brother was flying Bf 109s for the Luftwaffe in Italy!

Does anyone know who this brother might be? Any other information on this?

[kaki3152]

There was a pilot named Lothar Sachs who flew with I/JG-300 and was wounded on MArch 8,1944. Haven't been able to find out if he is related to your pilot.

[Siko54]

Thread resurrection! Just reading ‘Spitfire into Battle’ by Duncan Smith and he also mentions the brothers on opposing sides in Italy. A tiny crumb of information to add to the above is that both survived. Fascinating and would love to know more about them.

[Siko54]

Lothar looks like the most likely candidate and the only Sachs in career summaries that matches:

SACHS, Lothar. (DOB: 14.10.20 in Danzig). 01.09.43 Ofw., promo to Lt.(Kr.O./Fl.). 27.09.43 Ofw., in 3./JG 300. 22.10.43 Lt., 3./JG 300. 06.03.44 Staka 2./JG 300 unhurt? - Bf 109 G-6 (Yellow 9?) (Red 2?) damaged in combat with B-17s but landed at Twente. 08.03.44 Lt., 2./JG 300 WIA - Bf 109 G-6 (Red 2) during combat with a B-17, bailing out over Stolzenau near Weser. (n.d.) with NJGr. 10. 07.04.44 Lt., 2./JG 300. (n.d.) NJGr. 10. (n.d.) Staka 3./NJG 11. Credited with 4 victories. †2005.

[VtwinVince]

Sounds similar to the story of RCAF ace and test pilot Russ Bannock, who apparently had an Austrian cousin serving as aircrew with the Luftwaffe. There was also Joe Peterburs, an American ace also with family connections to the Luftwaffe.