Luftwaffe crash, 18th of May 1940, Belgium

[pointedeflèche]

Has anyone got information on a Luftwaffe bomber that crashed in Everberg, a Belgian village situated between the city of Brussels and the town of Leuven (Löwen, Louvain). The incident (probably) took place on the 18th of May 1940. This unidentified Luftwaffe bomber was chased by two fighters (probably British) and shot down. One German airmen was killed during the incident and was buried in the field where the bomber crashlanded. Any information regarding this incident or information on Luftwaffe bomber losses that day near Brussels or Leuven (Löwen, Louvain) would be most appreciated.

[Luc Vervoort]

Hi !

On page 230 of " Twelve days in May " by Brian Cull and Bruce Lander with Heinrich Weiss is mentioned :

He111P of 2/KG4 (5J+IK) flown by Lt Helmut Zeiss shot down by 4 Hurricanes west of Brussels and crashed 6 miles n-e of Louvain, pilot survived,crew killed.
He111P of 5/KG4 flown by Stappelkapitän Hptm Kurt Leythaüser shot down s-e of Brussels and crash-landed 6 m west of Louvain, crew survived,two wounded.
He111P of 5/KG4 flown by Lt Hoepel shot down near Brussels and crash-landed near Beauvechain, 6 m s-w of Tirlemont, one killed, one wounded
He111P of 5/KG4 5% damaged in combat near Brussels, one crew member killed.

Best regards

Luc

[pointedeflèche]

Hello Luc,

Thank you very much for the information.

It seems that Staffelkapitän Hptm Kurt Leythäuser's Heinkel-111 is a plausible candidate for the crashlanding in Everberg. Six miles west of Leuven (Löwen, Louvain) corresponds perfectly with the spot where the Everberg crash-landing occured, except for the fact that in Everberg one German airman was killed and according to the source you mentioned Leythäuser's crew was safe. The Heinkel-111 came from the south before crashlanding on it's belly. According to the villagers the bomber was a He-111. It appears that Kampfgeschwader 4 was intercepted that day over Brussels by a composite flight of Hurricanes of 145 Squadron and 601 Squadron.

Any additional information regarding German losses near Brussels or Leuven (Löwen Louvain) during the month of May 1940 or information regarding Kampfgeschwader 4 and Staffelkapitän Hptm Leythäuser is most welcome.

[Luc Vervoort]

Hi !

Another part of the puzzle ??

Found in my archives :
Schorr Karl (born 25/12/1913) killed at Everberg 18/05/1940, buried at Leuven, transferred to the German War Cemetery at Lommel and presently buried in grave BL.46 GR.637.
I have not been able to find to which plane he belonged or how the link between this person and Everberg was made.

Best regards

Luc

[pointedeflèche]

Hello Luc,

Thanks for the information!

I consulted the archives of Leuven and found a name list of German soldiers buried at Leuven during WWII. Unfortunately no Karl Schorr is listed, only a certain Karl Schon who died 15 May 1940 and was with II.K.G.IV ( II. Gruppe, Kampfgeschader 4 ? ). Strange coincidence!

My guess is Schon and Schorr are one and the same person. Karl Schorr's name and date of death could have been wrongly registered at Leuven. The situation was perhaps clearified after the war during his reburial at the German War Cemetery in Lommel.

Regards,

Dirk

[Luc Vervoort]

Dirk,

Are there any other Germans mentioned on the burial listings for Leuven ?
If you prefer you can always contact me via af9th(at)yahoo.co.uk.

Best regards from rainy Antwerpen...

Luc