Crash of Hs-126 on May 16 1940 in Belgium

[Alexander]

Hallo,

I'm looking for information about a crash of a Hs-126 of 9.(H)/LG 2 in the region of Hannut, Belgium on May 16 1940.
I just have one name:
Oblt Höbbeking (pilot)

Thanks and greetings from Belgium

Alexander

[Peter Cornwell]

Alexander,

If your interest is Hs126 losses on May 16, 1940, I have the following:

1.(H)/12 Henschel Hs126. Shot down by five Curtiss H75s of GC II/5 and crashed at Foetz, between Esch-sur-Alzette and Mondercange, 10.45 a.m. Fw K. Jacob and Uffz H. Möller both badly wounded, admitted to hospital in Luxembourg where latter died two days later. Aircraft a write-off.

3.(H)/12 Henschel Hs126. Shot down by six Moranes of GC III/2 and crash-landed between Lappion and Dizy-le-Gros 12.45 p.m. Oberlt H. Haase and crewman killed. Aircraft H1+GL a write-off.
Helmut Haase is reported to have died at Willerzie, west of Gedinne, on the following day and it is likely that, badly wounded, he was transported to a field hospital in the rear for emergency treatment. This unit also reported one man killed and another wounded during bombardment of their forward landing ground at Raillimont, including the attack described below.

5.(H)/12 Henschel Hs126. Shot down by Breguet 693 (S/Lt Menant and Sgt Voirgard) of GB II/54 during attack on the forward landing ground at Fraillicourt-Raillimont 12.45 p.m. One crewman killed. Aircraft a write-off.

4.(H)/13 Henschel Hs126. Possibly the aircraft attacked by Lt Marche, S/Lt Gnys, and Lt Chciuk of GC III/1 over Gembloux, south-east of Brussels, 2.10 p.m. Lt Kalweit killed. Aircraft damage state unknown.

1.(H)/14 Henschel 126. Reported forced-landed at Rillaer out of fuel during observation sortie between Boulzicourt and Mazerny but possibly that attacked by five Curtiss H75s of GC I/5 near Chémery7.20 p.m. Uffz Schulze and Uffz Baumgartner unhurt. Aircraft a write-off.

3.(H)/21 Henschel Hs126. Forced-landed badly damaged in attack by Sgt Flanek of GC III/2 over Mariembourg, near Couvin, 12.30 p.m. Oberfw H. Glantz and Uffz W. Redlich both badly wounded. Aircraft a write-off.

1.(H)/23 Henschel Hs126. Failed to return from observation sortie over Wavre, probable victim of groundfire. Fw H. Gross and Uffz H. Liebers missing. Aircraft a write-off.

2.(H)/31 Henschel Hs126. Shot down by Adj Gaudon of GC II/6 during observation sortie north-east of Chimay 10.30 a.m. Lt J. Horn baled out but killed. Uffz E. Prössel believed baled out and captured unhurt. Aircraft a write-off.

2.(H)/31 Henschel Hs126. Believed returned damaged following observation sortie over roads between Beaumont and Strée. Lt Leupold wounded. Aircraft damage state unknown.

However, if you're more interested in 'Oblt Höbbeking (pilot)' then this is probably the incident you are seeking:

9.(H)/LG2 Focke-Wulf Fw189A-0. Shot down by P/O Parker, P/O Clift, and Sgt Cartwright of No. 79 Squadron during observation sortie between Ernage and Orbais, north of Gembloux, 8.30 p.m. Oberlt G. Wöbbeking (Staffelkapitän) and Gefr B. Allmann badly wounded. Aircraft a write-off.

[Franek Grabowski]

Peter
What makes you think Gnyś and Chciuk shared a Hs 126? According to accounts of both of them, they claimed a twin engined aircraft, either Do 17 (the former) or He 111 (the latter).
Also, Flanek is not credited with a kill on the day, there was only a not confirmed report that he was seen downing a Dornier. He was killed n the mission. In the very same combat Zantara was credited with a shared Me 110.

[robert]

Hi Franek,

According to the book "Les Victoires ...." Vol.II:
Gnys, Chciuk and Lt.Marche all from the GCIII/1 shared a Do 17 at 14.10 hours but in fact it was probably Hs 126 from 4(H)/13.
Flanek claimed one Hs 126 at 13.00 hours in Wingehies area - 3(H)/21
Zantara shared with S/Lt.Lansoy a Bf110 at 13.00 E of Montcornet - they combated probably with 6/ZG76, which suffered no losses.

Regards

Robert

[Franek Grabowski]

Hi
As far as I know, no Hs 126 had a starboard engine to be set on fire!
Concerning Flanek, it would be good to know what was the original source.

[robert]

This book is based on the french orginal documents.

Robert