Gr. Kdr. II/ZG2

[Dean M. Wick]

Good Morning: Following the death of Hptm. Harry Carl, Gr.Kdr. II/ZG2 on 16.8.40, and the appointment of Hptm. Wilhelm Otto Lessmann to that position near the end of August (28th?) there appears to be a gap of about 2 weeks where there is no information on who was in command. I found on page 90 of the Nauroth/Held book "Bf110 on all Fronts" the following statement on Gr.Kdr. for II/ZG2 in the Battle of Britian, quoted, it says " Hptm. Carl, then Lehmann" Could this possibly be Hptm. Horst Lehrmann, former St.Kpt. of 2/ZG1, prior to its redesignation to NJG1 in June,1940? My understanding is that Lehrmann did not transition to nightfighters. Is there another individual by the name of Lehrmann, or "Lehmann" that could have been in an acting Gr.Kdr. role at this time? Any comments welcome. Thanks. Dean.

[Evgeny Velichko]

Dean,

06.07.1940-16.08.1940, Maj. Harry Carl, KiA, Shot down by RAF fighters in Bf110C
16.08.1940-??.08.1940, Hptm. Eberhardt Heinlein (StaK 6./ZG2 and Acting Gr.Kdr.), Appointed Gr.Kdr. I./ZG2
??.08.1940-29.09.1940, Maj. Wilhelm Otto Lessmann, Appointed Gr.Kdr. Erpr.Gr.210

[Dean M. Wick]

Thanks Evgeny, that pretty well matches with what I had as well, but this little bit of info. kind of made me wonder. A few things with regard to this: 1) It could be as simple as a "typo" in the book, "Lehmann" vs "Lessmann"
2) Heinlein, was indeed acting Gr.Kdr. for at least a few days prior to his
appointment as Gr.Kdr. of I/ZG2, but one source I checked (Avions,
Hors Serie#17,pg.43) states he may have went to I/ZG2 before
24.8.40, and possibly earlier than that, Hptm. Rudolf Christians
apparently a "stand in" until then.
Anyway, until proven otherwise, this will remain unclear. I felt it was at least worth an inquiry. Curious as always. Dean.

[Evgeny Velichko]

Dean:

Hptm. Rudolf Christians was Acting Gr.Kdr. of I./ZG2, not II./ZG2.

[Dean M. Wick]

Evgeny: Perhaps I wasn't clear enough. I realize Hptm Christians was with I/ZG2. What I meant was he was "standing in" as I/ZG2 Gr.Kdr. prior to Hptm. Heinlein's arrival to take over that position. Cheers. Dean