Info on RK winner Oblt Heinz Ebeling, StKa 9/JG26, POW 5.11.40

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

Has any substantial info on the wartime experiences of RK winner Oblt. Heinz Ebeling, StKa of 9./JG26, down and POW in England after mid-air collision on 5.11.40, ever been published? Never seen any substantial stories about him, although there have been a couple of brief references in a couple of books indicating that researchers and authors were in contact with him after the war. The rudder of his 109 on the day he was captured with 18 red victory tabs is in the Kent Battle of Britain Musuem. I presume that he is deceased. Does anyone know that for certain, or what happened to him after the war?

Thanks

[Chris Goss]

Larry: Long dead but I got from him a listing of his kills and missions during the BoFB

[RossGmann]

The following website may be of interest
www.luftwaffe.cz/ebeling.html

Heinz Ebeling was born on 2 January 1918 at Karlsruhe. Ebeling was posted to JG 26 on 1 December 1939. Leutnant Ebeling was assigned to 8./JG 26. He achieved his first victory, a French Morane 406 over Gramont, on 17 May 1940. By the end of the French campaign, he had recorded five victories. During the large aerial combats of the Battle of Britain, Ebeling shot down 10 British fighters in August 1940 alone, including three victories on 12 August and two on 15 August. Oberleutnant Ebeling was appointed Staffelkapitän of 9./JG 26 on 22 August 1940. On 31 August, Ebeling shot down a RAF Hurricane north of London. However, his Bf 109 E-4 (WNr 3712) “Yellow 3” received hits in the radiator during the encounter. Ebeling managed to nurse the damaged aircraft as far as the Channel where he was forced to bale out. After one and one half hours in the sea, he was rescued by a German air-sea rescue seaplane. Later that same day, Ebeling shot down a further two RAF Hurricanes. After claiming three further victories in September 1940, Ebeling led 9./JG 26 through a conversion to the fighter bomber role. From 15 October, he was to lead the Staffel on many fighter-bomber missions over England. On 5 November 1940 Ebeling, flying Me 109E-4/B (W.Nr. 3740) “Yellow 3”, collided with his wingman Fw. Walter Braun over Dungeness. Both survived their crash-landings to be taken prisoners for the remainder of the war. Ebeling was awarded the Ritterkreuz on this day for 18 victories. Ebeling died on 30 November 1987 at Obsteig in Tirol.
Heinz Ebeling was credited with 18 victories in 163 missions.

Kind regards
Ross

[Nefiakoff]

Hello,

I also read that Ebeling was one of Galland’s favourites.

He was awarded RK and taken PoW on the same day and it was always interesting for me – was he awarded first and shot down with RK on his neck, or 5 Nov. is the date of order and RK was sent to him later, into prison camp – like to Hpt. Schlichting or Oblt. Körner?

List of his victories is easy to get (Kacha's site for example), but list of his BoB missions would be very appreciated

Regards

Nef

[Nefiakoff]

Oops! On 5 November 1940 Ebeling was taken PoW but he wasn't shot down of course. Sorry.

Nef