Bf 110 C fighter pilots: Fw Dahne, Olt Schlaffer, Olt Proske.

[Bogdan]

Hello
I would like to know is here anyone who knows something about Fw Manfred Dahne from 5/ZG 1 , Olt Urban Schlaffer from 9/ZG 76 and Olt Rudiger Proske from I/ZG 26?
I know the latter was shot down over London and made POW but I do not know anything about the time, nor do I know anything about the fate of the other 2 pilots.
I would greatly appreciate any info .
Thanks in advance, Bogdan

[Chris Goss]

From memory, Dahne was killed 25 Aug 40 with 8/ZG 76, Schlaffer POW 16 Aug 40 and Proske POW 18 Aug 40. You can find out much more in Vasco & Cornwell's 'Zerstoerer' book or the Battle of Britain Then & Now

[Jon]

Looking at The Battle of Britain Then and Now, Manfred Dahne was killed whilst flying in 110C-4 Werk Number 3532 of 8/ZG76 on 25th August 1940. His aircraft crashed at Tatton House Farm, Buckland Ripers after combat with fighters over Portland. The farmer states that some human remains were found scattered about the fields after the crash and buried at the edge of a field. Manfred Dahne is still officially missing. His cigarette case was discovered during a dig on the site in the 1970's.
Olt Urban Schlaffer from 9/ZG 76 was captured on 16th August 1940 after he crash landed following combat with Spitfires.

Hope this helps.

[Bogdan]

Thank you so much,
I was very interested in the offer Eduard's 1/48 bf 110 just issued, with all 3 pilots variants.
Bogdan

[John Vasco]

Bogdan,

The Eduard 1/48 Bf 110 kit is well engineered, but they have not got everything right for the 'E' version. Believe me, you will not be able to build a 'C' or a 'D' straight out of the box. My writing partner, Fernando Estanislau, who was a professional modeller for many years, has compiled 9 pages of corrections for the box version so far. There is some discussion on this on the Hyperscale modellers forum. Go into it, click on search, and type in 'Messerschmitt Bf 110'.

I do know Eduard are planning to bring out other variants, with the 'C' due up next. But their planning is so advanced that no changes can be made to the production schedule now, so it is possible that errors will occur in that kit also.

Hope this helps in some way.

[John Vasco]

Bogdan,

Dahne was shot down in Bf 110 C-1, 2N+GN, during one of the Luftwaffe's incursions over Switzerland during early June 1940. He and his Bordfunker, Herbert Klinke, were interned for a time then returned to Germany. Klinke was wounded so did not resume flying duties for some time, hence Dahne had a different Bordfunker when he was shot down and killed on 25/8/40. Klinke later flew on the Russian front, and survived the war to live to an old age. He died about 5 years ago.