Gerhard Renz; KG 26

[G. Scott Long]

Does anyone have any information on Gerhard Renz, a KC holder from KG 26?

Best wishes,
Scott

[Stig Jarlevik]

Scott

You will have far better details from others,but he was born on July 22, 1910 in Halle and was very successful in the early period as an observer against France, Norway and Britain. Received the RK on July 31, 1940 while still an Oberfeldwebel. Promoted later to officer status.

I have nothing on his later career.

Cheers
Stig

[bakerman]

RENZ received the KC because he was a very successful Heinkel 111-bomber-pilot in 1939/40, mostly on anti-shipping flights against the british Home Fleet. His observer at this time was Lt. ALBERT von SCHWERIN, both KC on 31-07-1940. SCHWERIN was killed on 19.11.1940 near Barking/Essex (I have no details), at this time RENZ was not his pilot.
His last rank was Hauptmann.
Sorry, that's all what I have.
GERHARD RENZ died on 16.02.1946 in Lübeck.

[Stig Jarlevik]

Interesting Bakerman

My info that Rentz was an observer came from Achtung - Torpedo Los by Rudi Schmidt. He claims von Schwerin was a pilot.....

Not wishing to be pertinent, but what is your source please?

Cheers
Stig

[Brian Bines]

There is a photo of von Schwerin on page 14 of 'The Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain' by Armand van Ishoven. He is wearing the KC so it was taken after 31-7-40, standing next him is a Fw? with what looks like a gold Observor Badge possibly Rentz. As regards the crash at Barking I have this as at Beckton Marshes Jenkins Lane at 0019hrs after the Heinkel hit a Baloon Lane. Crew as FF Oblt Albert von Schwerin, B Oblt Phillipps (St.Kap) Bs Stab.Arzt.Dr. Albert Leuchtenberg, Bf Ofw Heinz Gohler, Bm Ofw Fritz Gundlack all killed. According to the Barking Advertiser of 30-11-40 the remains of one crewman was buried at Barking Cemetery by the Rev Bloomer as an unknown airman, with members of an RAF Baloon Unit attending. A bunch of flowers was handed to one of the RAF men to place on the coffin with a note 'To Some Mothers Son'

[Larry deZeng]

We have very little on him in our data base:

RENZ, Gerhard. (DOB: 22.07.10 in Halle). (R). 09.39 with 1./KG 26. 31.07.40 Ofw. in II./KG 26, awarded the Ritterkreuz for outstanding success against Royal Navy units in the North Sea. 01.04.43 promo to Hptm. (Kr.O.). †16.02.46 in Lübeck.

HLdeZ/DGS

P.S. Very, very strange that he does not show up in any of the Luftwaffenpersonalamt officer assignment orders after he got his Ritterkreuz. Nor was there a card on him in the Karteikarten for flying personnel at the end of the war. I would almost be willing to bet that he was separated from active service and went to work for one of the aircraft manufacturers, possibly?

[obdl3945]

Hi, Scott...

As a slight aside from your question, the undernoted site will give you details about Albert von Schwerin's demise and how and where his machine fell. Scroll to the bottom of the 1939/40 page... it's the last entry listed.

Regards...

Paul


http://www.aircrewremembrancesociety.com/luft1939/

[bakerman]

Sorry I was wrong! RENZ was observer and SCHWERIN the pilot! I saw a pic on that RENZ looked out the right cockpit window, where the observers place was.
Here another low quality pic from RENZ( found by ebay), shows him as a Hauptmann.

[Brian Bines]

Looks like the same airman in the photo in 'The Luftwaffe in the BoB' book.

[G. Scott Long]

Thanks for all the info guys. I also have a picture of Renz in the old Uwe Feist "Luftwaffe Diary" which shows Renz looking out the Left side cockpit window, so naturally my first guess was that he was a pilot. Maybe some day we will solve this question!

Best wishes,
Scott