Losses II./KG 76 on 24th Aug 1940

[Bas Maathuis]

Hi guys,
II./KG 76 lost five a/c on 24th August 1940 according to the Gen Qua Luf 26 Aug 1940 (number 3-7)
Five of the crewmembers washed up the Dutch coast in September 1940 and were eventually buried at Ysselsteyn Cemetery in the Netherlands. I’ve got some names and EM’s from the municipality Haamstede archive.
Fw. Martin Thomas 60552/43, born 30 Oct 1915 (Ysselsteyn BF-4-93)
Uffz. Alfred Wetzker 60552/77, born 31 Aug 1913 (Ysselsteyn BF-4-92)
Fw. Hans Meyer 60551/13, born 12 June 1915 (Ysselsteyn BF-4-90)
Uffz. Jakob Krüll 60554/30, born 20 Nov 1914 (Ysselsteyn BF-4-89)
Lt. Hans-Jürgen Crell 53576/5, born 10 Dec 1915 (Yssellsteyn BF-4-88)
I want to add these a/c crashes and crews to our SGLO crash Register but I don’t know who belonged to what crew, and the General Quartiermeister Luftwaffe doesn’t give much help.
Does anyone have a copy of the NVM for II./KG 76 on the 24th Aug 1940
Can anyone help me with the A/c, WNr. Kennzeichen and crew for each KG 76 loss on the 24th August 1940

Tia,

[Chris Goss]

Thomas, Wetzker, Grell (and Henneberg) from 4 Staffel in one aircraft
Meyer (with Vettner, Flessner and Meier) of Stab II in another
Krüll (with Dubs, Freimann and Fröba) from 4 Staffel in another. I am afraid that aircraft details were not recorded in full until about another week after these losses. 4 aircraft were lost with another returning with a dead BF

[Bas Maathuis]

Thanks Chris,
At least I’ve got the crews.
I did find some data on one of Ju 88’s of Stab II./JG 76.
Gen Qua Luft (6 Sept 1940 page 3) states:
In reference to entry No.3 of 26 Aug 40 Stab II./KG 76: Maj. Möricke and Oblt. Schulte (F) washed ashore. They were eventually buried at Lommel Belgium.
Maj. Freiderick Möricke, born 5 Sep 1902, buried Lommel 42-387
Oblt. Karl Schulte, born 11 Jun 1914, buried Lommel 42-535
That leaves two names not accounted for. Any suggestions?

[Chris Goss]

From the Möricke crew, they were not recorded

[Alain57]

Hello ,

Did Möricke and Schulte washed ashore in Belgium ?

Greets
Alain57

[Bas Maathuis]

@ Chris; That is a bit strange as Möricke and Schulte were killed and washed up. You would expect the other two as mia and their names recorded als well.

@ Alain57; I don't know. Gen Qua Luf only mentioned they washed up, not where. I expect they both washed up the Belgium coast because they are buried at Lommel.

[Chris Goss]

Bas

What I have comes from the former KG 76 Association-Schulte was the Gr Ia and Möricke the Gr Kdr. According to the BofB T&N a Sd Fhr Wagner and an NCO were lost but I do not have the NVM. No doubt Peter Cornwell (who is away I believe) will comment at a later date. It is also possible that 2 crew were rescued unhurt

[Peter Cornwell]

Stab II./KG76 Junkers Ju88A-1. Shot down (believed by AA fire) during combat with RAF fighters over the Channel off Manston. BO Major Friedrich Moricke (Gruppenkommandeur), FF Oberlt Karl Schulte (Gruppe Ia), BS Sonderführer Erwin Bleeck-Wagner (of Lw.Kr.Ber.Komp.4) all killed, Bordfunker believed rescued unhurt. Aircraft 100% write-off.
The body of Karl Schulte came ashore on the Belgian coast September 6.

Stabsstaffel II./KG76 Junkers Ju88A-1. Shot down by Hurricanes of No.501 Squadron and crashed in the Channel off Manston 12.45 p.m. FF Fw Fritz Vetter, BO Fw Karl Flessner, and HS Uffz Heinrich Meier all missing, BF Fw Hans Meyer killed. Aircraft 100% write-off.
Hans Meyer was later washed ashore on the Dutch coast.

4./KG76 Junkers Ju88A-1. Shot down by Hurricanes of No.501 Squadron and crashed in the Channel off Manston 12.45 p.m. FF Lt Hans-Jürgen Grell, HS Uffz Alfred Wetzker, and BF Uffz Arthur Henneberg all missing, HB Fw Martin Thomas killed. Aircraft 100% write-off.

4./KG76 Junkers Ju88A-1. Returned to base severely damaged by Hurricanes of No.501 Squadron following attack on Manston 12.45 p.m. BF Oberfw Fritz Jakobsmeier killed, rest of crew believed unhurt. Aircraft 100% write-off.

4./KG76 Junkers Ju88A-1. Shot down in the Channel by Hurricanes of No.501 Squadron following attack on Manston 12.45 p.m. BO Uffz Erich Dubs, BF Uffz Horst Freimann, and HS Uffz Hans Fröba missing. FF Uffz Jakob Krüll killed. Aircraft 100% write-off.
Jakob Krüll was later washed ashore on the Dutch coast.

[Bas Maathuis]

Both Peter and Chris, thanks for your help.
Much appreciated.

[Bas Maathuis]

Peter,

From the grave register Flushing I found:
Bleck-Wagner, Erwin, Lt. 53000P/43 born Borkum 22.2.1914
Washed up near Vlissingen on 17.9.1940, buried 19.9.1940 Vlissingen

Vdk however lists him as Lt. Erich Bleeck born 22.2.1914, kia 18.9.1940 buried Ysselsteyn BB-4-84

The Gen Qua Luf for 4 Sep 1940, page 4 states Bleck-Wagner was not a member of II/KG 76

Is this all about the same person?