9/JG54 pilot mystery 15th August 1940

[Trevor Matthews]

On the 15th August 1940 a Bf109E-4 of 9/JG54 crashed & burned out at Bullwood Farm Hartley near Cranbrook Kent, the pilot was killed. Both the Cranbrook ARP report book & the parish burial records give the pilot as Hermann Diekschen or Diekschoen. The records were subsequently changed to the name of Uffz. F. Niedermaier whose remains were exhumed in 1962 & moved to Cannock Chase.

Who was Hermann Diekschen or Diekschoen, was he a pilot with JG54 & why was Uffz. F. Niedermaier misidentified as Hermann Diekschen or Diekschoen?


Many thanks for your help

Trevor Matthews

[Peter Cornwell]

This early mis-identification was probably a result of Fritz Niedermeyer wearing an item of clothing or carrying some equipment marked with the name of the previous owner. When asked in 1973, the WASt was unable to identitfy anyone by the name of Hermann Deickshen and I am not aware of anyone of that name serving in III./JG54.

[Andy Saunders]

Peter beat me to it!

Just to add that there are more than just a few mis-identifications that arose through the casualty wearing borrowed or re-issued clothing.

As I recall, the case of Fritz Buchner (26 August 1940) gave rise to some questions at his 1980's inquest due to peculiarities over a name on his lifejacket. Similarly, there have been occasions where casualties were originally buried under the name of the unfortunate victims tailor! One such (if I recall) was a chap identified as "Ernst Neu" who was fished out of the Channel but later identified as somebody totally different. I also have a Police Report on a 1942 Spitfire casualty which names him as LYNCH from name on his Mae-West. It was in fact a pilot called Lee who had replaced Lynch on the squadron and "inherited" Lynch's lifejacket!

Not really adding anything to you query, Trevor, or to Peter's excellent explanation - but just a couple of illustrative cases.

[Chris Goss]

Ernst Neu was in fact Lt Arnd Flock. Lt Beane of 165 Sqn was borrowing not only the aircraft but also items of flying clothing from Fg Off Warren when he was shot down in Nov 43 which also caused confusion when Beane's body was recovered a few years ago. Warren's logbook does make mention of the loss of his kit! More grist to the mill!

[nmayhew]

interesting thread - i'm just down the road from Hartley...

any ideas of the colours of this aircraft / are there any profiles around?

thinking in terms of Eduard's new 109 E-4!

Kind regards,

Nick