Seeking confirmation of first name of Hptm. Willi? Brandt, Sta Kap of 9./KG51 shot down 15 May 1940 in France

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

In our EoE Loss DB, we carry:

“May 15, 1940: 9./KG51 Heinkel He111H. Crash-landed one engine badly damaged in attacks by No. 85 Squadron Hurricanes north of Vitry-le-Francois, France, a.m. Possibly that claimed by Sgt Allard. BS Gefr Karl Landmann killed, Hptmn [ ] Brandt (Staffelkapitän) and rest of crew believed unhurt. Aircraft 100% write-off.”

The Luftwaffe Officer Career Summary DB lists Brandt as:

"BRANDT, ? . 15.05.40 Hptm. and Staka 9./KG 51, shot down unhurt in He 111 H by 85 Sqdn., force landed N of Vitry-le-François."

His first name may have been "Willi." Can anyone confirm this?

Regards,

Larry Hickey
EoE Project Coordinator

[Matti Salonen]

This might be your Brandt:
1941-06-25, 6./KG 51, Ju 88A-5, (88)6317, 9K+HP, Kropowiezoze, südlich Stanislau, Notlandung. Bruch 100 %.
Flugzeugführer (Staffelführer) Hptm Brandt, Werner, vermißt
Beobachter Lt Fischer, Leonhard, verletzt
Bordfunker Ofw Kümper, Herbert, +
Bordmechaniker Ofw Dahlke, Hermann, vermißt

Matti

[Larry Hickey]

Hello Matti,

Thanx for checking this out. We tentatively carry this as "Willi." Unfortunately Brandt is such a common name that it is hard to be confident that your suggestion is more than just a possibility. We need more solid evidence to accept this. Does anyone else have further information on this one?

Regards,

Larry Hickey
EoE Project Coordinator

[Pieter H]

Hi Larry,

I don't have further details on the StaKa first name.

The names of the crew are given by Gillet (Rupture and Victoires de la ChassesBritanique). Based on these and other inputs this is my interpretation of this loss:

9./KG51 Heinkel He111H. Forced-landed on one engine, probably in Germany, badly damaged by No. 607 Squadron Hurricanes north of Vitry-le-Francois 6.40 p.m. Possibly that claimed by F/O Angus or F/L Lee. BS Gefr Karl Landmann killed. BO Hptmn Werner/Willi Brandt (Staffelkapitän), Fw Müller, Uffz Herrmann and Uffz Kraus believed unhurt. Aircraft a write-off.

Interception of III./KG51 was definitely not by 85 Sqn, but by No 607 Sqn flight operating from Villeneuve at 6.20 p.m. No 85 Sqn was active over Lille and central Belgium.

The crash location I interpret as being Germany given that there are no indications of any crash or emergy landing in France, Belgium or Luxembourg. This also explains why first names are not given.


Hope this helps, Pieter

[Luc Vervoort]

Hi,
Unfortunately no confirmation regarding the first name of Hptm Brandt.



Gefr. Karl Landmann is presently buried at the Volksbund Cemetery at Lommel (Bl.44 Gr.468 - no indication yet about the original burial location) , which could indicate that the plane crashed in Belgium.


Best regards


Luc