I./ZG 1 claims in 1939 - 1940 - any info?

[Evgeny Velichko]

Hi all!

Does anybody have info about I./ZG 1 victories on this period?

Poland, 1939;

Denmark, 1940;

Holland & France, 1940.

I have only this notes;

Date - Pilot - Enemy a/c type - Area - Time - Confirm

01.09.39 - ?./ZG 1 - pilot wanting - PZL P.24 – Warszawa -17:30- probably
04.09.39 - ?./ZG 1 - pilot wanting - PZL P.23 - Nakło - 12:00 - yes
06.09.39 - 3./ ZG 1 - Oblt.Walter Ehle - PZL P.24 - Warszawa – 5:15 - yes
07.09.39 - 1./ZG 1 - Oblt Victor Mölders - PZL P.37 - Radzymin – 16:10 - yes
07.09.39 - 3./ ZG 1 - Oblt.Walter Ehle - PZL P.37 - Radzymin – 16:10 - yes
07.09.39 - 3./ZG 1 - Lt.Wilhelm Spies(?) - PZL P.37 - Radzymin – 16:10-yes
17.09.39 - ?./ZG 1 - pilot wanting - PZL P.24 - Gabin - ? - yes ?

Walter Ehle had 3 victories with I./ZG 1, what is 3rd?
Same thing about Eduard Tratt - I know onli this:
1 1.6.1940 - Hurricane 1./ZG 1 Dunkirk
2 1.6.1940 - Hurricane 1./ZG 1 Dunkirk
3 1.6.1940 - Hurricane 1./ZG 1 Dunkirk

With best wishes from Russia,

Eugen.

[Marius]

Hello Eugen,

the claims for Poland 1939 you have listed are coming from my own work published in Poland in 2002 (Luftwaffe nad Polska 1939 cz.1 Jagdflieger, Armagedon). The last update is the following:
1.9.39:
Pilot?, P.24 probable (?), Warsaw, ~17.30
5.9.39:
Pilot?, P.24, Zakroczym, ~13.30
Pilot?, P.24, Truskaw, ~13.30
6.9.39:
Olt. Ehle P.24, Warsaw, 5.15
7.9.39:
?Lt.Spiess?, P.37, Radzymin, ~16.05
Olt.Mölders, P.37, Radzymin, ~16.10
Olt.Ehle, P.37, Radzymin, 16.10


The first victory is my own speculation. On the 5.9. the unit fought with Polish 112 eskadra. The last lost 2 planes, a third forcelanded.
I hoped the Russian archives could reveal more details (?).

Best wishes,
Marius

[Evgeny Velichko]

Thanks for answer!

I found this info on one of forums... Didnt knew the sources...

Are those cliams the all that I./ZG 1 claimed in Poland?

[Marius]

At all 7 claims, of them 6 confirmed (?).
We have few documents here in Germany regarding I./ZG 1. I hope the Russian archives contain some "captured German papers".

Marius

[Evgeny Velichko]

Unfortunatly, I have no access to "secret german documents"...

[Mikkel Plannthin]

Denmark - 09.04.40
Vaerløse (airfield outside Copenhagen), Lieutenant V.Gotfredsen (pilot) and 2nd Lieutenant G.F.Brodersen (observer), Fokker C.V. M/33 'R.49', appr. 5.20 a.m. (local time). A/C attacked during take off.

According to Tony Wood's Combat Claims & Casualties List, the German pilot credited with this claim is Hptm. Wolfgang Falck, Stab I.ZG 76.

Since this is the only Danish loss, it would be the only claim.

Mikkel Plannthin

[Evgeny Velichko]

Thnk You very mutch, Peter!!!!

I can add only a little info about combat with Blenheims on 10th May, that I know:

I/ZG 1 intercepted six Blenheim IVs of RAF 600 Squadron over Walhaven airfield, five were shot down with only one escaping. Falck describes his experiences as he tries to bag the one that escaped.
I was on patrol in the area of the Hague when I spotted a Blenheim and tried to catch him. I chased him around church spires, around sand dunes, around trees, round and round we went only 10-15 meters high. I was right behind him but couldn't get a shot at him. When he broke for the open sea I thought 'Now I'll get him!' I began closing in on him but after a few kilometers he began circling a steamship at only a few meters above the waves. Round ana round the ship and 1 couldn't get a shot at him. Finally he again broke for the open sea toward England but now 1 was low on fuel and had fo break off my chase. The last I saw o( him he was skimming the waves as last as he could toward home. That Englishman was some pilot.

And this:

10 May 1940 Oblt. Werner Streib shot down Blenheim bomber, his first and last day victory. I./ZG 1 pilots intercepted a formation of 6 Blenheims, and only 1 could avoid death. All rest was shot down.

Is it possible to find names of other I./ZG 1 pilots???? IMHO one of them was Ehle (he had 3 daylight victroryes with I./ZG 1, untill he was transferred in I./NJG 1, and I know only about 2 of his victoryes)

With best wishes, Evgenij.

[Ruy Horta]

When a thread has developed into an argument between two members, I must ask those two members to conduct the argument in private or at least change the tone of said argument so it can continue as a civilized discussion.

Please take note of my second request.

[rob van den nieuwendijk]

Hello all,

On 10 May 40 because of the heavy Ju 52 transport movements near Waalhaven/Rotterdam 600 Squadron detailed 6 Blenheims IF to this target. At low level the airfield was attacked and one Ju 52 of KGr zbV 172 was set on fire.

At the very same time a formation of Ju 52s headed for Waalhaven. These were escorte by Me 110's of 2. and 3./ZG 1. Very heavy dogfights started - only one Blenheim (piloted by F/O Hayes) managed to escape and return. The others were shot down by the Me110's.

The claims were made by:
Oblt Werner Streib 1
Fw Paul Gildner 1
Uffz Müller 2
Oblt Möller 1

Other sources also mention Leutnant Knacke with one claim - he flew in the Schwarm of Streib, Gildner and Müller.

Regards
Rob

[Marius]

So think I, Ruy. The thread is concerning I./ZG 1 and we should stay at the topic. The 5th Sept. 1939 is very interesting. I know I am the first one who wrote something completely different regarding the action flown by the Polish 112 eskadra. I am also the first one who is providing hard evidence with German records. The time of many Polish legends is over now.

If there really exists a document confirming the fight of 111 eskadra on the 5th at the same time as the 112 eskadra, my research should be proved again.
For now I am sure I./ZG 1 claimed here 2 victories. But nevertheless I could be wrong. So again I request Franek to show us this particular document regarding 111 eskadra.
I think it does not exist, but maybe Franek will surprise me.

If my research is correct we would have all 6 victories of I./ZG 1 for Poland (also 6 victories were stated by the Kommandeur after the Polish campaign).:
5.9. 2 P.24
6.9. 1 P.24
7.9. 3 P.37

The one probable victory I suppose on the 1.9. could be wrong, I know it well. It is possible Luftflotte 1 documents also counted the wrongly shot down Hs 126 of 2.(H)/21. At first the unknown pilot of I./ZG 1 reported he had shot down a Polish recon aircraft very similar to the Henschel Hs 126 (!!!).

Marius