Aircrew from I/ZG 76

[Marcel Hogenhuis]

Hello Chris,

I was surprised with the number of I.NJG 1 casualties who had that number 53591 and hopefully you are too! Before presenting those names just one question: is there a list of such "unit related" numbers like 53591 ? Where can these be found?

Well, from my collection of Namentliche Verlustmeldungen I found these people with number 53591 under their names:

Uffz. Hans Betthäuser (Bofu 3/NJG 1 with Fw. Schlecht, Rossbach), KIA 19-1-1941
Oblt. Werner Hansen (St.Kpt. 3/NJG 1), KIA 10-2-1941
Lt. Jakob Bender (pilot 3/NJG 1)
Uffz. Fritz Grundmann (Bofu 3/NJG 1 with Ofw. Wegener) both KIA 28-6-1941
Ogf. Werner Vonjahr (Bofu 3/NJG 1 with Oblt. Schmitz), WIA 14-3-1942
Ogf. Albrecht Risop (Bofu 3/NJG 1 with Oblt. Johnen, KIA 26-3-1942
Fw. Walter Gross (pilot 3/NJG 1). KIA 13-4-1942
Oblt. Erich Kuhnla (pilot 3/NJG 1), KIA 28-9-1943 with JG 11
Ofw. Karl Wieland (pilot 1/NJG 1), KIA 13-1-1943
Lt. Heinz Oloff (pilot 2/NJG 1), WIA 2-3-1944
Uffz. Josef Schaffer (2/NJG 1, Bofu with Oloff), KIA 2-3-1944

Here is the compleet listing for the 3./NJG 1 on 22nd July 1940:
(pilot, Bofu)
Hansen - Stolper
Lent - Kubisch
Böhmel - Seifert
Kettling - Volk
Bender - Mosel
Herzog - Gross
Jaenicke - Grundmann
Rossbach - Lorey
Schönherr - Hoffmann
Mütschele - Gotter
Schlecht - Betthäuser

As you see, many names continued to be in the Nachtjagd so if we did not have Kettlings testimony, it would be perfectly make sense from this listing that he also was a brief period destined to become (or be) a nightfighter pilot. Perhaps it is worthwhile to ask him whether he can remember to have been in a unit with the crews mentioned above.

Keep in mind that I am not a boldheaded person, haha! All the best,

Marcel

[Franek Grabowski]

Chris
The man is Franciszek Kornicki of 162 Eskadra Myśliwska. Quite well known man in Polish aviation circles. I cannot say if he flew the mission but if not, he was on the ground. I will send you his contact details by e-mail over a few days.
I will attach my file with compilation of German claims in Poland, I hope of some use. Combats of ZG76 are quite confusing, Marius Emmerling attempted some links but I do not trust his research. He claims one of the Me 110s was downed in the morning combat, but I cannot confirm any such battle according to my sources.
The afternoon combat seems the show of 1. & 2./ZG76, rather miserable in the result.

[Dean M. Wick]

Hi Folks: Chris, sorry, so far no luck tracing that article on Ihrcke. Regarding Jaenicke, curious about first name? Assuming, as it hasn't been mentioned yet, that its a bit of a mystery. Any chance of a connection with Jaenicke with JG-2, May/June/40? Regards: Dean

[Chris Goss]

Marcel: Thanks for this-I will revisit my listing tonight. Kettling will remember most of these as they are nearly all 1/ZG 76.

[Chris Goss]

Franek: Would this be 'Tony' Kornicki who lives in Sussex? If so, I will have his address. I would be interested to see what else you have, time permitting on your side

[Chris Goss]

Dean: Thanks. I doubt if it is the same person!

[Franek Grabowski]

Originally Posted by Chris Goss

Franek: Would this be 'Tony' Kornicki who lives in Sussex? If so, I will have his address. I would be interested to see what else you have, time permitting on your side

As far as I know he is known as Franek among Britons. I am not sure about Sussex, I have only briefly met him in Warsaw. He is a well known person in the PAFAssn, so I think it is the man you know.
I will drop you an email later today. I have found another loss in the German returns, on 9 September.

[Marius]

Hi Franek,
what do you mean with "I do not trust his research"?! Why don`t you do that?

Hi Chris,
did you get my e-mail?

Regards,
Marius

[Marius]

Franek!
where is written one Bf 110 was downed in the morning combat?!

Marius

[Franek Grabowski]

Originally Posted by Marius

where is written one Bf 110 was downed in the morning combat?!

Sorry, I was writing from memory, it is written in Michulec's book.

what do you mean with "I do not trust his research"?! Why don`t you do that?

I think I have expressed it all in my letter to the Lotnictwo magazine. You draw your conclusions definetely too far away, having in mind available documents. Ignoring Polish documents is another matter, which adds to the general picture, however.