Ju 88 loss, KGR 806, 29 June 1941

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Hello,

On 29 June 1941 the Ju 88 A-5 M7+EK of KGr 806 ditched in the Baltic Sea off Hiiumaa island after propeller failure. The whole crew (Oblt Viktor Schnez, Ofw Kurt Pelkowski, Fw Kurt Arnold and Uffz Heinrich Freese) boarded a dinghy and set sail to the west, reached Gotska Sandon, Sweden, on 3 July.

This story is described in detail (and in Swedish...) at http://www.tjelvar.se/forband/fv/fv9.htm.

The only thing I am missing is a WNr for the Ju 88.

Can someone provide it ?

Thanks in advance

Laurent

[Matti Salonen]

(88)8139

Matti

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Thanks Matti for this quick answer (as usual)

Best regards

[Chris Goss]

Of interest, Schnez was shot down and taken POW in the Battle of France with KG 51 and then shot down and taken POW over Malta (still with KGr 806) in 1942. Tried to contact him but it would appear he has passed away

[Brian Bines]

Is anymore known about the He 59 that made an emergency landing at F2 Seaplane base, which was then allowed to return after picking up Schnez and two of his crew. The article says Bf Ofw Kurt Pelkowski remained for hospital treatment, GQM shows him as Kurt Petsch is this an error on the GQM listing,

Regards

Brian Bines

[Stig Jarlevik]

Brian

I doubt very much we are talking about a force landed He 59.
According to the Swedish authority Bo Widfeldt, this was a He 59 which was allowed to land at Gotska Sandön and return to Germany with the four crew members onboard, including "Pelkowski", whom Widfeldt also calls Kurt Petsch.
According to his list Petsch was also returned the same day, that is July 3rd. His book is from 2007.

I will send Bo an e-mail and ask if any new info has appeared since, but so far no He 59 has been recorded as having force landed around this time in Sweden.

Cheers
Stig

[Brian Bines]

Stig,

Thanks, hope Bo can clarify this. Luft QMs returns dated 23-3-1942 referring to the 29-6-42 incident does in fact say 'Crew of Oblt Schnez unwounded returned amend 4(1) missing',

Regards

Brian Bines

[Laurent Rizzotti]

From the link above and my understanding of it, it seems to me that a He 59 of Seenotsdienst had landed at a Swedish base before the dinghy reached Gotska Sandön, probably after an sortie related to this Ju 88 loss.

As a rescue aircraft, there were probably negociation between Swedish and Germany that it was not interned, and so it was available and close to pick up the crew of the Ju 88 crew. In international law the latter were considered as "shipwrecked" survivors and so had not to be interned (as would be airmen of an aircraft crashing or landing on Swedish soil) but could be released immediately.

But I will interested to hear more of Mr Widfeldt, of course, as the above is only my guess.

[Brian Bines]

When shot down over Malta on 3-1-42 the crew (all Pows) were Ff Oblt. Victor Schnez, B Fw.Arnold Ulrich, Bf Ogef.Gerhard Hoppe, Bs Fw.Heinrich Freese. So it would appear that Bf Kurt Pelkowski/Petsch may have been unfit for flying duties following the ditching on 29-6-41, the link refers to possible heart problems. Victor Schnez appears to have been very lucky as he survived two shoot-downs and a ditching (4 days in dinghy) without losing a crewman,

Regards

Brian Bines

[Stig Jarlevik]

Guys

Just a short update.
Bo Widfeldt is on summer holidays without access to any of his notes.
He will look into this when he is back

Cheers
Stig