Hptm Erich Freiherr von Werthern (DKiG)

[Andy Fletcher]

The loss returns for 27Feb42 state that Hptm Erich Freiherr von Werthern was KIA 25Feb42 by flak. At the time he St.Kap. 2./KG 4. Can anyone confirm the date or was this an error as Bomber Units of the Luftwaffe Vol I lists him as Acting Gr.Kdr. I./KG 4 Mar42-Mar42.

He was awarded the DKiG 19Mar42

Best Regards

Andy Fletcher

[Doug Stankey]

The situation here was a case of things getting a bit complicated combined with insufficient information to totally firm up the start and end dates of holding command.

Major Heinz Alewyn was appointed Kommandeur at the beginning of January 1942. On 10 January his aircraft was hit by enemy fire while flying a supply mission over the Demyansk area and the crew forced to bale out. He wrenched his back on landing and had to leave the Gruppe for an indefinite period for medical attention. Werthern is said to have taken over as acting Kommandeur for some or all of the following period until he was killed on 25 February 1942. Alewyn was apparently hurt badly enough to prevent him from reassuming an active flying role again as his subsequent assignments were staff positions. (see Gundelach - KG 4 unit history for these nuances). Thus the dates are a bit ambiguous.

Here’s some associated details:

WERTHERN, Erich, Freiherr von.
(DKG).
01.07.39 Oblt., trf from I./K88 to KG 4.
19.07.41 Hptm., appt Staka 2./KG 4 (to 25.02.42).
02.42 Hptm., appt Kdr. I./KG 4 (to 25.02.42 KIA).
19.03.42 Hptm., posthumously awarded the DKG, I./KG 4.

ALEWYN, Heinz. (i.G.).
10.11.39 Hptm., in RLM (Genst. 6.Abt.), trf to LKS Wildpark-Werder.
c. 15.03.40 Hptm., appt Kdr. KGr. z.b.V. 106 (to 07.40).
01.01.42 Maj., appt Kdr. I./KG 4 (to 02.42 or 21.03.42).
21.03.42 trf to Frontflieger-Sammelgruppe Dortmund.
01.43 appt Ia/11. Lw.-Feld-Div.
01.09.43 promo to Obstlt.
09.44 Chef 1. Abt./Amtsgruppe II d.Lw.-Wehramt in RLM.


I trust that this clears things up to the extent that they can be.


Larry deZeng IV
Doug Stankey

[Andy Fletcher]

Hi Doug,

Many thanks for the info, it more than answers my question.

Best Regards

Andy Fletcher

P.S. Larry and yourself have done a great job with Bomber Units of the Luftwaffe Vol I/II.