Zestörer "Aces" with I./ZG2 in 1940

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

As a follow on to my posting of "aces" for I. and II./ZG26 yesterday, here are my current holdings of the known aces of I./ZG2. If anyone can provide any information on these pilots, or any other victory information on ZG2 in 1940, I would appreciate hearing from you.

1) Hptm Johannes Gentzen Stab I., 18 victories, no RK; 2) Oblt. Eduard Tratt 2 Staffel, 12 victories, RK 2.8.43; 3) Oblt. Harald Zimmermann, 3 Staffel, 7 victories, No RK 4) Fw. Wolfang Brachs, 1 Staffel, 7 victories, no RK; 5) Fw Ernst Otterbach, 3 staffel, 6 victories, no RK; Oblt. Wolfgang Maurer, 3 Staffel, 6 victories, no Rk; 7) Oblt. Heinz Wiberg, 2 Staffel, 6 victories.

Notes:

1) Only the first 10 victories for Gentzen, who died in a TO accident on 26.5.40, are in my data base; need dates, times and places and a/c type for his other 8 victories as a Bf110 pilot.

2) Tratt got his first three victories with 1./ZG1 on 1.6.40, then my sources report that he got his 4th through 12th victories with 2./ZG2; then transferred to 1./Erpr Gr 210 in July, 1940. He was reported with a total of 12 victories as a Zerstörer pilot by he end of 1940, but it is unclear which of the nine remaining victories he scored with 2./ZG2 and 1./Erpr. Gr.210. It seems unlikely that he could have scored nine victories with ZG 2 before transferring to ErprGr210, unless he moved from that unit back to ZG2 later in the Battle of Britain. Would appreciate clarification of his victory list info.

[Evgeny Velichko]

Hptm. Harald Zimmermann served with III./ZG 1, killed on 22 December 42, on the ground by the Me210 exploding bombs.

As far as I know, Lt. Walter (not Wolfgang) Maurer served with Stab./J.Gr.102 during Polish campaign, then - with 3./ZG 2 during French campaign.

11.09.39 Ltn. Walter Maurer: 1 Stab./J.Gr.102 2 Lublin XIII  Wietlin 14.15 Refer: Prien/Bock re. Perry

He scored 2 further victories with 3./ZG 2.

On 11 May 1940 he was shot down over Sharleville-Mesier (correct pls name of place, I translate it fom russian, dont know correct name) by Hurricane from 1 Sqdn. RAF and PoW together with his gunner, Uffz. Stefan Makera.

After capitulation of France, he was posted to ZG 26 (,), flew during Battle of Britain and during Barbarossa Operation, got more 3 victoryes with ZG 26 (?).

I am not sure, but it seems to me that in early 1942 he flew with Erprobungskommando 210.

1.09.42 was posted to 16./KG 6 as StaKa, flying Me 210.

6.09.42 he was shot down in his Me210A, W.Nr. 21321 "2H+HA" over Yorkshir by Typhoon Mk.I of 1 Sqdn. He could bail out, and get PoW, this time - to the end of War.

His total score stood at 6 victories, 1 on Bf109D-1, and 5 on Bf110.

[Fairlop]

On 11 May 1940 he was shot down over Sharleville-Mesier (correct pls name of place, I translate it fom russian, dont know correct name) by Hurricane from 1 Sqdn. RAF and PoW together with his gunner, Uffz. Stefan Makera.

Charleville-Mézières.

Michal

[Evgeny Velichko]

THX Fairlop. In my book there are only translated-to-russian names of all places, and no link to original names.

[Evgeny Velichko]

Larry: check Your email box.

[Tom Semenza]

Larry,

Fw. Wolfgang Brachs also claimed a PZL P-23 on 14.09.39. The pilot you list as Heinz "Wiburg" is listed by Prien, et al. as Lt. Heinz Wilberg and he claimed a unidentified trainer also on 14.09.39. Both claims made with the Bf 109D-1.

Are the claims totals you list cummulative or only those made in 1940? Your posting seems to indicate the latter.

One other note is that Walter Maurer claimed a "Curtiss" on 13.06.38 with 1.J/88 in Spain.

Keep up the good work,

Tom

[Larry Hickey]

Tom, et al.

1) "Wilburg" it is; my typo.

2) The totals are cumulative in the war since 1.9.39 through 9.40, both Bf109 and Bf110 ops. I'm sorry that I didn't make that clear.

3) Evgeny has provided some very helpful info by private message about Tratt, that, upon further analysis, seems to indicate that the Obermeier RKT book is wrong about Eduard Tratt being assigned to 1./ErprGr210 in July, 1940 (at its formation). As I stated in my post that started this off, it still appears that Tratt, one of the top ZG "aces" of 1940, served with 2./ZG2 during the BoB, and achieved 10 "confirmed" victories during that period. The 3 victories referenced in my previous post, and in the RKT bio, as having been scored with 1./ZG1 on 1.6.40, includes one "unconfirmed," or "probable" as we call them in America. So he scored 2 confirmed victories on 1.6.40 with 1./ZG1, then ten more over England as an Oblt. with 2./ZG 2 during August-Sept. 1940, apparently all confirmed, ending 1940 (and my period of research) with 12 "confirmed" victories while serving with the two units. This would put him in the top tier of 110 pilots as far as victories are concerned in 1940, although very little appears to be known about his career during that period. Does anyone know if a FB perhaps survives for him or does anyone besides Evgeny have any other information or photos relating to his career in 1940?

Thanx,

[Evgeny Velichko]

Originally Posted by Tom Semenza

One other note is that Walter Maurer claimed a "Curtiss" on 13.06.38 with 1.J/88 in Spain.

13-6-1938,Ltn.,Walter Maurer,1.J/88, Curtiss, 1st,unk,yes,Ries, Legion Condor.

Best wishes!

[Evgeny Velichko]

Larry:

In "Wydawnictwo Militaria 071 - Bf 110 vol.1", on page 19, there are very interesting photo, showing wreck of Bf110, and fin is visible, with 7 white victory bars on it. Capture says: "On 3 September 1940, during attack two Bf110 collided. This is parts of 3M+HL"

7 victories with 3./ZG 2 - any ideas who was a pilot?

Here is an image:

[robert]

Hi,

could be Olt.Harald Zimmermann but this a/c was "borrowed" by Olt.Kurt Mueller and Uffz.Johannes Korn from the 2/ZG2.

Regards

Robert