Luftwaffe loss over England - 29/30.01.44

[rickback4444]

Hi,

Can anyone provide information on unit, other crew members, target etc of aircraft lost on this date which included crew member Franz Bleissner (date of birth 18th May 1920)? I think he was killed while involved in a bombing mission over London but I do not have details whether his aircraft was lost over England. Any information would be very helpful.
Knid regards
Rick

[Laurent Rizzotti]

This night, the Lutfwaffe raided London (one of the raid of the 'Steinbock' offensive, called 'Baby Blitz' by British).
Two bombers were shot down over Britain (Ju 88 A-4 of 3./KG 54 and 2./KG 76), another Ju 88 A-4 of 5./KG 6 was hit by a Mosquito and two crew baled out and were captured, the two other flew the AC back to France before abandonning it, one being killed while baling out.
"The Blitz then and now, vol 3" has details of the crew of the 3 AC above and your man was not aboard them.

Seven other AC didn't return from the raid and weren't lost over Britain: a Do217 of 9./KG 2, a Ju188 of 2./KG 6, 2 Ju88 of III./KG 6, a Ju88 of 3./KG 54, a Ju88 of 6./KG 54 and a Ju88S of 3./KG 66. Most if not all of their crew were propably lost with them.
Three other Ju88s crashed in Europe and may have seen fatalities too.

[Brian Bines]

Further to Laurents answer I have a NVM which shows Ju 88 A4 FI+CK of 3/KG 76 w.n. 142379 crashed at Athies with all crew Killed. Ff .Fw. Franz Christel, B. Ogef.Heinrich Holthaus, BF. Ogef.Christian Fischer Bd. Ogef. Franz Gleissner (b. 18.05.1920). This was on 29/30.01.1944 while on a raid on London,
Regards
Brian

[rickback4444]

Hi,
Thanks very much. I am very greatful for your time in finding this information for me. One final question - you mention you looked in NVM - what is this and how does one acquire such useful information.
Best regards
Rick

[Brian Bines]

Rick ,the NVM is the Unit Loss return available from the 'WAST' office in Berlin, there is a charge for these and a long wait usually before copies are sent on. They were made out in the event of a crewman being killed, injured/wounded or missing i.e they would not record an aircraft crash if the crew survived without an injury.Some units record aircraft details but personal information is omitted ,
Regards
Brian

[rickback4444]

Dear Brian,
Would this NVM be for a certain day and a certain unit? Or is this produced over a certain time for all units?
Rick

[Brian Bines]

Rick each unit produced its own on a day basis as losses happened ,if you E-Mail me your address I will send an example,
Regards
Brian

[rickback4444]

Hi Brian,
Very kind of you. My e-mail address is rickback@ntlworld.com I have a keen interest in all matters Luftwaffe and am an avid collector of sterbebild of crew KIa over England. Hence my particular interest in finding out about individual crew losses. Thanks again for your time
Rick

[rickback4444]

Hi,

Just picked up a superb portrait of Ogef. Franz Gleissner on ebay.

Killed on raid against London during 'Baby Blitz'.



Rick

[rickback4444]

Hi,

I have another sterbebild for a Feldwebel Karl Palm who was lost on this date. Was he killed during this mission?

He was 24 years old.

Rick