Heroic German pilot 1940

[BrianC]

Hi guys

Rather vague!

I've read that a German pilot, who had been mortally wounded during a sortie over England in 1940, managed to land his damaged bomber before succumbing to his wounds. Fact or fiction?

Cheers
Brian

[Marcel Hogenhuis]

Hello Brian,

I don't know the identity of 'your' German pilot but I know of Oblt. Martin (I./ZG 1) who was badly wounded on 25th May 1940, made an emergency landing in the Dunkirk-Calais area with his Bf110, climbed out and died nearly near his aircraft.

Best regards, Marcel

[Chris Goss]

9./KG 76 18 Aug 40?

[BrianC]

Hi Marcel and Chris

Many thanks. Chris you're spot on, as usual. I wasn't aware of the actual date, otherwise I could have researched myself!!

That's a new one for me, Marcel. Many thanks.

Take care, stay safe
Brian

[Chris Goss]

To be correct, Oblt Hermann Magin was badly wounded and dragged from his seat by Beobachter Ofw Wilhlem Illg who then flew the plane back

[VtwinVince]

Wasn't there a similar incident involving a PK-Berichter?

[Chris Goss]

Georg Hintze war reporter was in this flight as well

[Jim P.]

I don't remember the particulars but do recall reading of this occurring in other cases with the LW.

[edwest2]

A back issue of Luftwaffe im Focus had a story and photos of a PK-Berichter who was wounded during a flight, is named and shown being lifted from the plane. Sorry, but the issue number escapes me.

[VtwinVince]

OK, I found the details: it was the famous low-level raid on Kenley by 9. KG76 on August 18th. One of the Dorniers had a PK-Berichter on board, Feldwebel Wilhelm-Heinrich Illg, whose pilot was mortally wounded. Illg took over the aircraft and got it safely back to France, for which he was awarded the RK and promoted to Leutnant. The action is described in some detail in van Ishoven's The Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain, published by Ian Allen.