Kurt Müller 22.10.1940.

[srob48]

Hi, I'm trying to tie-up the crash on 22nd October 1940 of a Bf109E of 3/JG51 with the rescue of the pilot.
The crash details I have are :
Messerschmitt Bf109E (4822). Escort sortie for Bf109 Jabos to London. Severely damaged by RAF Spitfire of 74 Squadron and crashed in the Channel 4 miles east of Hastings, East Sussex, 2.30pm. Fhr. Kurt Müller (FF) bailed-out and captured unhurt. Aircraft 10+ lost.
The record I'm trying to connect it to is:
The fourth German Airmen to be rescued by the (Hastings) Lifeboat was the pilot of a Messerschmitt 109 which had been engaged in an aerial battle high over Hastings on 22nd October. The Plane fell into the sea off Fairlight, where the 19 year old man was found in a rubber dinghy. He was handed over to the police and military authorities.
Is this the same crash? Was it possible for the pilot of a Bf109 to bail-out with his dinghy? And can anyone confirm if Kurt Müller was only 19 when captured?

[DR40eghs]

Hi,
can't tell about the rescue, but Kurt Müllers DOB was 24.6.1921 - so the age of 19 is correct. Kurt Müller died 23.10.1988.

Regards, Uwe K.

[srob48]

Thank you very much Uwe K. So the age, date and location fit. But I have also just found the following statement from http://www.aircrewremembrancesociety...521/index.html "no rubber dinghies were carried by fighter aircraft" And other internet sites say much the same "No Dinghies were carried by single engine fighters" Was that true?

[DR40eghs]

Hi,
unfortunately i don't know the date, when the "Einmann-Schlauchboot" (German term for one-person-inflatable-dinghy) was introduced into Luftwaffe fighter service.
I remember that - occasionally - inflatable dinghies were thrown into sea by other planes, when aircrew were seen in the water.
Regards, Uwe

[srob48]

Thanks for the information Uwe.

[Col Bruggy]

Hello,

Following discussion might be of interest:

http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/archiv...p?t-24226.html

Col.