Focke-Achgelis Fa 330 Bachstelze

[George 118]

Hello,

Did you know where the training for U-boat sailors on the Focke-Achgelis Fa 330 (Bachstelze) towed gyrocopter carried out ?

Regards George

[JoMe]

Hi
The training took place at Gelnhausen (near Frankfurt am Main).
JoMe

[Steve Coates]

The brief version is that the selected Matrosen were given their initial glider training at the Segelflugausbildungsstelle der Luftwaffe Gelnhausen before moving on to beginning training on the Fa 330 in the wind tunnel at Chalais-Meudon. This was followed by two spells of outdoor training at Bautzen and then Schellingwoude.

May I ask if there is a particular reason for your question?

[George 118]

Hello

Τhank you for your answers

Steve,

I saw a photo of a U-Boat sailor with the Glider Pilot 'C' Level Proficiency Badge and I was wonder if it was part of his ''Bachstelze'' pilot training.

Regards

[Stig Jarlevik]

Steve

Has JoMe got things wrong here or was some training also carried out where he says?

Cheers
Stig

[Steve Coates]

Stig

Jochen stated Gelnhausen. I stated the Segelflugausbildungsstelle der Luftwaffe Gelnhausen. Both terms are interchangeable.

George

I'd be interested to know where you saw this photo. Recently a photo was posted to Axis History Forum of Jobst Schaefer who had pre-war glider experience but also trained up on the Fa 330 subsequently serving on U-862.

[Stig Jarlevik]

Originally Posted by Steve Coates

Stig

Jochen stated Gelnhausen. I stated the Segelflugausbildungsstelle der Luftwaffe Gelnhausen. Both terms are interchangeable.

I can only blame old age (never been to Specsavers I'm afraid.....)
Sorry
Cheers
Stig

[George 118]

Hi Steve
the photo you asked

[Steve Coates]

Thanks. Yes, that's Jobst Schaefer. It's probably taken at Bautzen but I can't be definitively certain.

[Leendert]

Perhaps also interesting this Kriegsmarine report of 15 Dec 1942 where transfer of the Bachstelze training from Travemünde to Schellingwoude is proposed ("Vorschlag"). See https://catalog.archives.gov/id/3389...ect-thumb--587

Reason: increased mine danger in the western Baltic Sea.

Regards,
Leendert