Just a quick KG 53 Staka Question

[hucks216]

Hello all,
Can anyone confirm for me please the Staffelkapitän of 4./KG 53 'Legion Condor' in January 1945? Was it a Hauptmann with the surname of Rehfeld, and if so is this the same Herbert Rehfeld who was awarded the Ehrenpokal on 8th May 1944?
I have a document signed by what looks to be a 'Rehfeld' holding that position and dated for January 1945 but in a Wehrpass for the same airman I also have signatures of a different person spanning from April 1944 to wars end also shown as Staffelführer of 4./KG 53 (unless those entries are backdated entries and entered after/if Rehfeld stood down.)

[Larry deZeng]

REHFELD, Heinz. (DOB: 22.01.12). 01.04.42 promo to Hptm. 15.11.44 Hptm., appt Staka 4./KG 53 (to 04.45?).
[Source: HLdeZ/DGS data base]

That's all we have and it comes from the KG 53 unit history published 20-25 years ago by Motorbuch Verlag. Whether or not he remained in that position to the end of the war is anyone's guess. The book shows no one coming along after him.

L.

[hucks216]

Thank you for the information Larry.

[Thomas H]

According to Kiehl, 4th to 8th. Staffel all got a new Staka on 15-11-1944. I would not know why 5 Staffeln would all get a new Staka on the same day. All of these Staffeln have a gap before this date. The only thing I can come up with is that by some information he found out who were the Staka on this date and therefor put them in the list starting on that date. I'm pretty sure that Hptm. Bautz (6./KG53) started earlier in his position. So Rehfeld could also have started earlier than the date given by Kiehl. Maybe the day Hptm. Kornblum left 4./KG53. (he started 19-02-1944 acc. to Kiehl). It is also possible that someone else was the Staka between Kornblum and Rehfeld.

Kind regards, Thomas

[Doug Stankey]

It would be most helpful if someone could fill in these blanks. A search of our officer database reveals that in spite of most of our data coming from original documents, there are still many gaps for Staka 4./KG 53:

Hptm. Karl Wolfien (01.05.39 - 1940).
Hptm. Hans Waldforst (15.02.40 - 20.04.41).
Hptm. Richard Klein (? - 05.42 - ?).
Hptm. Franz-Josef Maubach (DKG) (07.43 - 18.02.44).
Oblt./Hptm. Dietrich Kornblum (DKG, RK) (19.02.44 - 14.11.44).
Hptm. Heinz Rehfeld (15.11.44 - 04.45).

If anyone can provide any insights or additional information (with sources) it could ultimately help us collectively.

Anyway, we hope that this helps.

HLdZ
DGS

[hucks216]

Here are the 2 signatures in question. Rehfeld is signed as Staffelkapitän while the other mystery signer has signed as Staffelführer, which I believe is slightly different...

[Thomas H]

I know it is an old thread, but I found some new information.

Between Kornblum and Rehfeld, Hauptmann Heinz Zöllner was the Staka of 4th Staffel. My guess is that he took over this position when Kornblum left KG53 and joined 12.NJG3. I do not know the date that Kornblum left, just know it was autumn 1944.

After Zöllner and his crew did not return from a mission on the night of 5/6 November 1944, Staffelführer Rehfeld took over his position as Staka. Rehfeld affirms his new position in a letter from the 8th of November.

Kind regards, Thomas

[Spanferkel]

Oblt. Kornblum left 4./KG 53 on 30.07.44. He then went to IV./NJG 3. (10.08.44-31.10.44 and finally to III./NJG 2 where he was Kia 27.11.44. He was promoted to Hauptmann on 01.10.44

Regards
Jeremy

[Thomas H]

Hi Jeremy,

Thank you very much for your information!

Staka’s 4th Staffel:

Hptm. Karl Wolfien (01.05.39 - 00.00.40).
Hptm. Hans Waldforst (15.02.40 - 20.04.41).
Hptm. (Erwin?) Rinza (00.06.41 - 18.02.42)
Hptm. Richard Klein (00.05.42 - 26.01.43). KIA
Hptm. Franz-Josef Maubach (DKiG) (00.07.43 - 18.02.44?).
Oblt. Gerhard Zabel (DKiG) (00.09.43 - 18.02.44?).
Oblt. Dietrich Kornblum (DKiG, RK) (19.02.44 - 30.07.44).
Hptm. Heinz Zöllner (DKiG, RK) (31.07.44 - 06.11.44). KIA
Hptm. Heinz Rehfeld (08.11.44 - 00.04.45).

There are still some gaps. Heinz Kiehl gives Oblt. Zabel as Staka, but that would mean Hptm. Maubach left this position before the 18.02.44.

Kind regards, Thomas