Attempting to document the ZG76 Gruppenstab crews and aircraft during 1940

[Larry Hickey]

dHello,

For the EoE research project, we're attempting to determine the pilot and radio operator/gunner crew members of the Gruppenstab of ZG76 from its beginning during the spring of 1940, through the end of December of that year.

We know that Obstlt. Walter GRABMANN was the first Gesch Kde from 15.04.40 through the end of the year (and much later). I'm not sure who his regular BF was during that period. Does anyone know?

The Geschwader Adjutant was Oblt. Wolfgang Thimmig, from 16.4.1940 to 21.07.1940. His BF was Uffz. Hans STECKMETZ. When THIMMIG left to go to night fighters, we believe that he was replaced by Rank? Gerhard 'Ryzhyy' SCHASCHKE. When did he leave that position? Does anyone know who his BF was?

We have Oberlt Hans-Jochen KNOP (KIA on 15.08.40) on the Gesch Stab, but don't know his position. Can anyone provide that info and his dates of service in that position, obviously ending 15.08.40? The BF killed with him was Uffz Jakob Neumayer.

What we're missing here is info on the Technical Officer and the Gesch 1A (Operations Officer). KNOP could have been one of these, or the initial replacement for THIMMIG as Adjutant. There may have been other crews on the Gesch Stab during that period as well.

On a related line of research, I'm looking for photos to support color profile artwork for Stab ZG76 Bf110s to represent the Phoney War period (mid-April to 9 May, 1940), both May and June of the WC (FC), and one each for Sept., 1940, and representing the Oct.-Dec., 1940 period. We have good coverage of Grabmann's aircraft during the early part of the Battle of Britain, but we need other photos of his earlier, or later (to the end of 1940) aircraft or Bf110s of other members of the Gesch Stab to cover the above periods. I have no photos from the Stab of ZG76 showing an aircraft with a white or yellow nose which would be expected from around the beginning of Sept., and badly need same.

Who can help?