Peter-Paul Steindl JG52 and JG26 informations

[Kaczmarek]

Some additions.

Born 12.5.1914 Pola/Istrien.

EM: 71 124 / 2

Promoted to Hptm. 1.4.1942, to Major posthum 9.1.1945 (R.D.A. 1.11.1944).

Stab/J.G. 26
Killed near Fürstenau a/f during a test flight after repair.
Fw 190 D-9, WNr. 210 983, "Blaue 10"
Place of burial: Fürstenau cemetery grave Nr. 6, now block A, row 4, grave Nr. 80
NVM Nr. 123 lfd.Nr. 1

Kaczmarek

[Lebi90]

Hi guys,

Many thanks for the answers and informations!

Johannes, I will try to get the book!

I also found an Austrian association which is interested in Austrian pilots that served in the Luftwaffe.
Maybe they also can help.

So thank you very much and it would be great if you can show me some more pictures of him!

Best regards,
Lukas

[Stig Jarlevik]

All

Since no one seems to bother about the aircraft vs pilot problem, I did my own little research among the published sources.

Donald Caldwell states on page 196 in his The JG 26 war diary vol 1, that Oblt Paul Steindl, a professional Luftwaffe officer and pilot, transferred into the Geschwader on 11 December 1941.

That of course puts the text under Steindl in the Luftwaffe aces biographies and victory claims in a different light. In that book we can only read he first flew with I./JG 26 in the west in late 1942....

Since in 1941 Steindl is already 26 years old and by normal standards would have been a pilot already by 1939-40 or earlier (he also had a promoted rank of Oblt when reaching JG 26) the question arises, what did he do up to December 1941.

Moving one step further, I stick out my neck and claim (unless we have two Paul Steindl) that this pilot was the Geschwader Adj in JG 54 during the initial eastern campaign and may also have been with JG 54 already in 1940, perhaps even his first unit.

Cheers
Stig

[Lebi90]

Hi Stig,

Thanks for your research!

How do you know that the two pictures have to be from spring 1941?

And can you give me a link or explain how I can find out Geschwader etc. from the markings of the planes?

I am only familiar with Kampfgeschwadermarkings, not Jagdgeschwader.

Best regards,
Lukas

[Kaczmarek]

Steindl should be in March 41 Oblt. and St.kpt. of 4.(Eins.)/J.F.S. 4. Later transferred to the 5./J.G. 54 and on the end of 1941 to Stab J.G. 26. He should be the St.kpt. of 5./J.G. 54 in November 42. In February 43 back again to the J.G. 26.

Kaczmarek

[Stig Jarlevik]

Well Lukas

If you check again the two photos attached by Jim P (post 5) you will see the II./JG 54 emblem very clearly on the fuselage side.
The Geschwader Adjutant marking <I is also very much evident. The digit 5 however is a bit of a mystery (to me...) but may indicate 5.Staffeln.

Already late 1940 the F-model was on the line and ready for delivery to the front line Luftwaffe units. By the spring and summer of 1941 the E-model was more and more relegated to units not intended to be in the front line anymore.

The problem is rather why this old E-model was still on strength when the Russian campaign started in 1941. Must have been one of the last ones to go.

Cheers
Stig

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thanks Kaczmarek

So that's where he was....

Cheers
Stig

[Johannes]

Hi Stig

It would be unlikely to have two pilots with exactly the same name, and also same rank....extremely unlikely. There are two Karl-Heinz Weber's flying for the same Staffel at exactly the same time, but can be separated on the micro films by the rank.

Kind Regards

Johannes

[Johannes]

Regarding JG 26 books.

The JG 26 War Diary Volume 1: 1939-1942 has an ISBN of I 898697 52 3
The JG 26 War Diary Volumn 2: I943-1945 has an ISBN of I 898697 86 8

Author Donald L. Caldwell

His work is as good as your find........anywhere, but unless somebody can enlighten be restricted only to JG 26. These works were published in 1996 & 1998 i.e pre micro film error, but very accurate, plus a mine of information about the actual pilots. Only real way they are dated are in confirmation of some claims, but he will mention if confirmed, un-confirmed or if any doubt, so ignoring the numbering of each claim is spot on.

He also released a picture book slightly earlier.

Kind Regards

Johannes

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thanks Johannes

Cheers
Stig