Raid on Southampton, 20-21 September 1941

[Andy F-P]

Hello,
There was a raid on Southampton on the night of 2-21 September 1941. I know a He 111H-5 of 7/KG40 went down off of Selsey with the loss of the four crew. However, I believe at least one more aircraft lost crew members. The names I have are Toni Luczick and Uffz. Thomas ? (Lu*****). I am looking for more information on these losses. Please see the attachment of a page from a photo album.

Thank you for your help.
Regards,
Andy

[Brian Bines]

From QM's returns I have He111 H-5 4091 III/KG40 lost to enemy fighter. Bs Uffz T???? Luczyk missing to dead, rest of crew rescued by Seenotdienst. Admendment dated 11-11-41 notes Uffz Luczyk, Thomas as gefallen,

Regards

Brian Bines

[Andy F-P]

Thanks Brian,
Much obliged. From this information, I have lookeded at the Volksbund site and found an Uffz. Thomas Luczyk who died at Yport, near Fecamp, Northern France on 12th October 1941. I wonder if this could be him? III/KG40 were based at Bordeaux at the time but could he have survived the initial days after being picked up, only to perish a few weeks later as a result of his wounds?
Regards,
Andy

[schnellmeyer]

I hope you do not mind me asking but was this photo album the property of Uffz. Luczick or was it from another member of KG40 . The photo of Toni Luczick is most interesting , he wears his EK1 and EK2 ribbon but no Luftwaffe qualification badge .

[Chris Goss]

The NVM says 9/KG 40 Uffz & BS Thomas Luczyk (53549/102 born 16 Sep 19 Gross-Zeidel). Engaged in attack on Southampton, attack by night fighter (only one claim that night for 219 Sqn-2 losses for III/KG 40). Uffz Frank ditched off Fecamp, 3 crew rescued, Uffz Luczyk missing. Note dated 3 Nov 41 says he was killed not missing. III/KG 40 was operating out of Baeuvais at this time not Bordeaux

[Brian Bines]

Andy,

The original entry for Luczyk shows him as missing with a amendment dated 11-11-41 shown him as gefallen. I would suspect he was killed in the N/F attack or lost in the ditching and his body later recovered possibly on 12th Oct. The original entry states he was not picked up with the other crew members so there is the possibility he was picked up/washed ashore later and died of exposure/wounds on 12th Oct. However this latter case is not indicated on the photo album that you attached,

Regards

Brian Bines

[Andy F-P]

Originally Posted by schnellmeyer

I hope you do not mind me asking but was this photo album the property of Uffz. Luczick or was it from another member of KG40 . The photo of Toni Luczick is most interesting , he wears his EK1 and EK2 ribbon but no Luftwaffe qualification badge .

Schnellmeyer,
I have no idea who the page from the photo album originally belonged to. I would imagine it was to another member of the crew. I have attached the other side of the page for general interest. I picked it up this morning.

I also noticed the lack of qualification badge. Interesting!
Regards,
Andy

[Andy F-P]

Originally Posted by Chris Goss

The NVM says 9/KG 40 Uffz & BS Thomas Luczyk (53549/102 born 16 Sep 19 Gross-Zeidel). Engaged in attack on Southampton, attack by night fighter (only one claim that night for 219 Sqn-2 losses for III/KG 40). Uffz Frank ditched off Fecamp, 3 crew rescued, Uffz Luczyk missing. Note dated 3 Nov 41 says he was killed not missing. III/KG 40 was operating out of Baeuvais at this time not Bordeaux

Hello Chris,
Thanks for this information. I got the information regarding III/KG40s operational airfield from Michael Holm's "Luftwaffe 1939-45" website. It is interesting to know they were, in fact, operationing out of Beauvais at the time.
Regards,
Andy

[Andy F-P]

Originally Posted by Brian Bines

Andy,

The original entry for Luczyk shows him as missing with a amendment dated 11-11-41 shown him as gefallen. I would suspect he was killed in the N/F attack or lost in the ditching and his body later recovered possibly on 12th Oct. The original entry states he was not picked up with the other crew members so there is the possibility he was picked up/washed ashore later and died of exposure/wounds on 12th Oct. However this latter case is not indicated on the photo album that you attached,

Regards

Brian Bines

Thanks Brian,
I think your synopsis is probably correct and I would think his body was recovered on 12th October 1941. I also find it interesting the different spellings of "Luczick" and how his name is annotated as "Toni" instead of "Thomas" on the album page.
Thanks again for your help.
Regards,
Andy

[Brian Bines]

The colour of his collar tabs appears wrong for aircrew, I wonder if he was goundcrew flying as a Bs who would in time have got a Bs badge. However at the time of his loss he may already become aircrew as there is no indication of when the photo was taken. As regards the spelling of his name there are many wrong spellings in the GQM list, but the spelling shown in the NVM quoted by Chris is likely to be the correct one. I assume correct name Thomas nickname 'Toni',

Brian Bines

NB Can't see from the photo if he has the wings and prop. early cloth aircrew badge on his lower left arm sleeve