3./TGr. 30 loss, 26 December 1944

[Nick Beale]

I have a very brief US 9th AF report that an He 111 had been brought down by a nightfighter over Luxembourg, en route to La Rochelle. Crew details as follows:

Kniep, pilot, fate unknown
Kralien, radio operator, fate unknown
…ya, flight mechanic, fate unknown
Ogefr. Bachmann, badly wounded
Fhr. Fritz, observer, badly wounded.

The only thing in the surviving Gen. Qu. 6. Abt. lists is a correction of a name: delete "Grip", substitute "Kniep."

Does anyone know more about this aircraft?

[Chris Goss]

He 111 Wk Nr 701412 S3+HK (?) Fw Heini Kniep-F, Fhr Udo Fritz (B), Ofw Josef Kallinger (BF), Fw Hans Kraja (Bw), Ogefr Wilhelm Tachmann (Bd)

[hanshauprich]

Hello,
as my memory only OG Bachmann surrived.
h.

[RT]

Right all the others were recovered dead.
"Griep i, Kniep verändert konnte die 111 wegen Überladung nicht höher als 2000 Meter fliegen und wurde von einem US-Nachtjäger zweimal angegriffen. Er konnte das Feuer nicht erwidern, da er sonst mit seinem 131 ins eigene Leitwerk geschossen hätte. Die Maschine brannte in beiden Motoren sowie im 800ltr. Rumpftank. Da sein Sitzfallschirm ebenfalls verbrannte weis Bachmann nicht wie er aus der Maschine herauskam. Er verbrachte seine Zeit als PoW in England mit Wirbelbruch eingegipst bis Kriegsende im Lazarett Swindon

Rémi

[RT]

S3+HK 701418

Bous "Heesberhaff", near German-Luxemb. border

Rémi

[RT]

701412 vs 701418, the NVM is far to be pretty clear, but GQM hv to quote 701418, both Wn are known by TGr.30, prior to this event, nd noone after..

Rémi

[Nick Beale]

Thanks everyone.

701412 was 80% damaged on 26 December 1944, either at or reported by Köln-Ostheim. It is also listed in A.I.2(g) reports as wrecked at Bons which must be a typo for Bous.

[RT]

Contradictory data , or....??

Rémi

[hanshauprich]

Hello,
Willy Bachman was Feldwebel, not Obergefreiter. Crashplace is in Luxembourg. There are photos from the crew a few hours before they started!
h.