Me410 Hpt Schmitter 8/9-11-1943

[Brian Bines]

In the late 1960's ,while laying gas, pipelines the firm I was working for came upon the wreckage of a Luftwaffe aircraft to the north of Beachy Head. Being on another contract some distance away I never found out anymore about this, although it was thought to be an Fw190. There were the usual rumours pilot still in cockpit, aircraft in pristine condition etc. Does anyone know if whatever was found was connected to the loss of Hpt Schmitter's aircraft, who I believe is still missing.

[Andy Saunders]

I grew up in that area in the 1960s and would certainly have known about it had it been anywhere near Beachy Head. I think, though, that wreckage of an Me 109 at Kentwins, Nutfield, Surrey, was found during the laying of a pipeline - but I could be wrong! From memory, I think the incident was on 30 September 1940?

As for Schmitter and Hainzinger - no connection! No pipelines anywhere near there and my article 'A Far From Ordinary Pond' in Britain at War Magazine tells the full story. Details of the edition here:

https://secure.hosts.co.uk/~alliance...hp?issue_id=21

[Brian Bines]

Andy, thanks very much for the speedy reply, I have ordered a copy of the magazine,

Regards

Brian Bines

[Andy Saunders]

Brian

A pleasure!

You might also be interested to know that the full story (and a good many others besides!) can be found here:

http://www.grubstreet.co.uk/products...nding-the-foe/

[Doug Stankey]

FYI, according to our files:

SCHMITTER, Wilhelm.
(DOB: 18.12.13 in Rheydt).
01.07.33 entred the Kriegsmarine.
01.12.34 trained at DVS Warnemünde.
01.10.35 trf to Fernaufklärungsstaffel See, List as a mechanic (31.01.36).
1936 trf from the Kriegsmarine to the Luftwaffe.
01.02.36 trf to FEA 16 (See).
01.04.36 trf to FFS Stettin for flight training (to 30.03.36).
01.10.36 trf to FFS Warnemünde (30.04.37).
21.03.37 trf to 2./Fliegerschule Warnemünde.
01.05.37 trf to Fliegerwaffenschule Bug auf Rügen.
01.10.37 trf to 1./Kü.Fl.Gr. 706.
02.10.37 trf to 1./Küstenfliegergruppe 206 (Nest).
01.11.38 promo to Lt. (Kr.O.) (RDA 01.07.39).
01.04.39 trf to FFS (See) Pütnitz.
01.07.39 trf to 1./Küstenfliegergruppe 706 (Nest).
01.11.39 trf to 1./Kü.Fl.Gr. 906 (Pillau).
15.02.40 attended a Kriegsoffiziernachwuchslehrgang (to 01.05.40).
22.04.40 appt officer cadet (Kr.O.).
01.08.40 promo to Ofw.
11.02.41 trf to I./KG 40.
16.07.41 Lt., trf to 4./KG 40.
05.01.42 awarded Ehrenpokal.
18.05.42 Oblt., awarded DKG, II./KG 40.
01.09.42 promo to Oblt. (RDA 01.07.40).
14.09.42 Oblt., awarded Ritterkreuz.
01.12.42 re-designated as Truppenoffizier (RDA 01.07.40).
01.03.43 in II./KG 40, promo to Hptm.
1943 Hptm., Staka 5./KG 40 (to 19.06.43).
25.03.43 Oblt., Techn.Offz. in II./KG 40 attended Verbandsfüherschule/KG 101 (to 20.04.43).
20.06.43 Hptm., appt Staka 15./KG 2.
24/25.08.43 shot down into sea off Knokke/Norfolk in Me 410 A-1 (U5+CF)– bailed out but picked up by a German naval unit from Zeebrugge.
08/09.11.43 Hptm. and still Staka 15./KG 2, KIA – in Me 410 A-1 (U5+BF) WNr. 10224 shot down by RAF Mosquitos crashed near Eastbourne, Sussex.
01.11.43 posthumously promo to Maj.
24.03.44 Maj., posthumously awarded Eichenlaub for service as Staka 15./KG 2.

HLdZ
DGS

[Spanferkel]

Here is additional information on Schmitter that I have been compiling from the documents of his that I own.

http://aufhimmelzuhause.com/id101.htm

Andy's article that he noted was most informative/helpful in recreating the events of Schmitter and his BF's demise.

Andy by chance does your book include more detail on Schmitters last op.?

Regards

Jeremy

[Brian Bines]

Doug and Jeremy, thanks to you both for the inf. which certainly covers Schmitters career
Andy look foward to your book which I have on order,

Thanks

Brian Bines

[Andy Saunders]

Jeremy

I think we were previously in touch? I lost your e-mail details and had forgotten your identity here! My apologies.

Not sure I can help any more, though. The book has more or less the same detail on Schmitter as does the article.

[Spanferkel]

Thanks Andy,

Not a problem I've had that happen at times as well.

If you have a chance to contact off board my email address is kopfkase@yahoo.com

Regards

Jeremy