Ofw Hermann Kempenich

[Chris Goss]

Apart from being awarded the EP in Feb 44 and the DKiG in March 1944 with 16./KG 2, does anyone have anything more on this BF? Matti has nothing

[Karoband]

Hi Chris,

Horn identifies Kempenich as Dalwigk's bordfunker. He cites two missions by them (on 5 and 16 July 1944) with 6./KG 51 on p. 48 and p. 52.

Jim

[Chris Goss]

Thanks Jim. By the way what does the book say about operations March to August 1944? Photos from this period are rare

[Karoband]

Hi Chris,

The full title of Horn's book is Das Flurschaden - Geschwader: Die Chronik des Kampfgeschwaders 51 'Edelweis' zwischen dem 1.Januar 1944 bis Kriegsende, (2010), 304 pages of text. Horn's forte is to methodically use data from many sources, especially log books, to chronicle the events of each day. Pages 7 to 64 are devoted to II./KG 51's daily events from 6. February to 15. September 1944. While it is done in depth, the vast majority of the book is devoted to the Me 262 operations. It is limited to factual information with (as we have seen) relatively few errors. As to operations March to August, they are detailed factually but there is no analysis. Included are five photos of Me 410s of II./KG 51.

Jim

[Chris Goss]

Thanks Jim