Hull 23/3 1945

[Soren Flensted]

On 23/3-1945 a German flyer named Helmut Mathewes reportely died in the waters near Hull. He now rest in Denmark where he was washed ashore.
Which German squadron operated near Hull on this day/night ?

[John Beaman]

Soren, do you have any clue as to what type of aircraft he was flying?

[Brian Bines]

There was a claim for a Ju88 intruder by 125 Sqd. on the night of 20/21-3-45 reported as crashing in the sea off the north Norfolk coast. I could not find any details of it in the Balss book though.

[Soren Flensted]

Hi John
I have no idea about the aircraft type. The flyer rest in a privately kept grave so no info can be gained from the Kriegsgräberfürsorge.
Hi Brian
Balss only lists nightfighters. Could it be an KG aircraft ?

[Brian Bines]

Hi Soren,

As far as I know the Luftwaffe activity against the UK in this period would have been Intruder, or Recon. with an outside chance of Seenotdienst. How definite is the date of death or is the 25-3-45 when the body was found, and how was the link to Hull established,

Regards

Brian Bines

[Olaf Berg Nielsen]

Hi Brian

The Body was found 10.06.1945 on Søgaard Beach. In the parish register is later writen: Died on 23.03.1945 by Hull, England. No. 60930/108. Fathers name: Gustav Mathewes, Berlin. This Date is also on the gravestone.

Since the gravstone is paid by his family, they must have given the latest informations.

Regards
Olaf Berg Nielsen

[Brian Bines]

Hi Olaf,

The airmans number should be a great help, I am not too well up on these though. Looking through the POW reports I have the crew of a Ju88 of NJG2 shot down on 30-11-44 all had the number 60930 which had a note ' issued to P/W in 2/NJG2 '. Hopefully some one will have more on this,

Regards

Brian Bines

[Olaf Berg Nielsen]

Hi Brian,

An other with this airmans number was Unteroffizier Walter Syuts, born 08-04-1923 in Duisburg, shot down in a Me110 in Holland on 17-09-1944. He belonged to NJG1 (NachtJagdGeschwader) and his number was: 60930/74v. Hope it will help a little.

Regards
Olaf Berg Nielsen

[Brian Bines]

Hi Olaf,

As far as I know the last attacks on the UK were on 17/18-3-45 by 18 enemy aircraft with no RAF claims, and finally on the 20/21-3-45 by 9 intruders with the claim for the Ju88 by 125 Sqd. which I mentioned, for both raids the book 'Intruders Over Britain ' states NJG2 took part. It would seem likely your man may have been in the Ju88 claimed by 125 Sqd. Either there are no surviving records or he may have bailed out and the damaged aircraft returned, either way the Balss book did not record him. Unless someone comes up with an answer either a request to WAST may be needed, or if the grave is in a private cemetery would there be any record as to whether a relative is still in contact with this cemetery.

Regards

Brian Bines