Gefr. Ludwig Spreitzer, 3./Erprobungsgruppe 210, killed in Bf 110 or Bf 109?

[Peter Cook]

I am trying to establish the aircraft type in which Gefr. Ludwig Spreitzer of 3./Erprobungsgruppe 210 was killed on 18 July 1940. John Vasco's Erprobungsgruppe 210 book lists a Bf 110, as does his and Cornwell's Zerstörer, as well as Ramsey/Cornwell's BoB Then and Now, and Balss Luftwaffe Losses & Claims. But Prien in Jagdfliegerverbände 4/II lists the aircraft as Bf 109E-4 Yellow 12. Which is correct? 3./Erprobungsgruppe 210 was a Bf 109E-4B unit, but was Spreitzer flying in a Bf 110 on this date?

[harryurz]

Kracker archive lists Spritzer (born 1917) killed 20 July 1940:

http://www.aircrewremembered.com/Kra...rch_type=exact

[Peter Cook]

All of the other sources list the accident on 18 July, so perhaps he was badly injured and died two days later?

[ju55dk]

No he died 18/7-1940 at 2100 hour. Right wing of aircraft fell off during a normal dive. Type not mentioned.
Junker

[robert]

Bf109E-4. Test flight following maintenance. Updated Peter Cornwell`s loss list.

[John Vasco]

The original information obtained by myself and Peter C listed the a/c as a Bf 110.

Further information came to light via the internet (post-Bombsights over England, Zerstörer and BoBT&N) [I think it might have been obituary details for Spreitzer] which gave the details as a Bf 109 E on a test flight, as Junker says.

[Peter Cook]

Thank you John et. al. That resolves the issue for me!

Peter

[Black6]

I have been looking at the death of Hptgefr. Peter Neven (Ground personnel) (born 17 Jun 1912 in Köln) who was serving with 3/Erg.Gr. 210 when he died at 2145 hours on 18 Jul 40 near Denain/France.

I believe that Spreitzer's crash was at 2100 hours and had considered Neven as a possible Wart making a test flight in a Bf110 however it turns out that Neven was killed by the accidental discharge of a pistol. I mention this here to save anybody else the time it took me to chase this down this particular rabbit hole only to find that he was not with Spreitzer.

Peter

[JoMe]

Hi Peter

According to Ancestry, Peter Neven was injured by a pistol shot and subsequently died in an operation.
It is said to have been an accident.
There is no indication of a plane crash.

JoMe

[John Vasco]

It is indeed a rabbit hole.

More than that I am not going to say...