Heinz Wilberg - mystery solved

[Andre Stewart]

Hi all,

For those who are interested, I can now confirm that the Oblt Heinz Wilberg who served in I./ZG2 in 1939-40 and the Uffz Heinz Wilberg who won the Ehrenpokal in Nov 1941 are actually one and the SAME GUY.

Apparently Oblt Wilberg remained with I./ZG2 until the unit was disbanded in late Sept 1940. He was then posted to Zerstörerschule Schleissheim, but must have committed a serious wrongdoing there [I cannot determine exactly from the documents alone], for in Jan 1941 he faced disciplinary action, was demoted to Flieger and sent as a recruit to re-do his basic training. After 2 months, he was posted to II./ZG26 on 1 June 1941, in time to see action in Operation Barbarossa.

As for his 13 day victories, I can confirm that 6 were claimed with I./ZG2 [1 in Poland and 5 in the Western Campaign], but with no details. The other 7 were gained with II./ZG26 in Russia [also with no details], where he saw action until end Jan 1942 when he was posted to the Nachtjagd 4./NJG4. And the rest is as we know it.

Source: Bundesarchiv

rgds
andre

[Larry Hickey]

Andre,

Nice piece of research. Any prospect for locating the details of those 1940 victories?

Regards,

[Andre Stewart]

Larry,

Unfortunately no, not with the documents I have. There are also no details of his 1941 claims in Russia too. But should anything come up I'll surely let you know.

rgds
andre

[Jim P.]

Assuming this is the same guy.

Bf 110G-4, 140047, Wilberg, Ltn. Heinz, , II., Stab II., NJG 4, , , SR+EV, , 10-May-44, Crew killed during take-off due to collision with landing Bf 110G-4 WNr. 730064. Exploded., WNr. 740047, 9/10-May per Balss. That WNr. is dup with later loss., Nachtjagd, Balss, Deutsche Nachtjagd, p.270; Höhler, Deutsche Nachtjagd Personalverluste, p.100, , Fl.Pl. Coulommiers, 100%, F, Bf Fw. Gerhard Kohr & Bs Ogefr. Kurt Stösser, , Gothaer Waggonfabrik AG at Gotha in Feb-44.

Wilberg, Heinz, Ltn., 14-Sep-39, 2., I., ZG 2, Doppeldecker, Luck, 08.45±, 1., 20, , yes, Prien/Bock, , KJ: Lfl.IV 1939, Sortie from 06.55-09.20. Later JGr. 102.
Wilberg, Heinz, Fw., 25-Oct-42, 4., II., NJG 4, Halifax, Compiegne: 2900m, 03.00, 1., -, , yes, C.2035/II, Anerk: Nr. -, FMP, LW NF Claims 39-45, p.61; Boiten, Nachtjagd War Diaries, V.I, p.135, 103 Sq. W1223.
Wilberg, Heinz, Fw., 22-Jun-43, 3., I., NJG 4, Halifax, Harskamp, 15km nordwestlich Deelen: 5400m, 02.30, 2., -, , yes, C.2027/I, Anerk: Nr. 188, FMP, LW NF Claims 39-45, p.88; Boiten, Nachtjagd War Diaries, V.I, p.202, 77 Sq. JB852. At 02.22 per Boiten. F detached to 3./NJG 1.
Wilberg, Heinz, Ltn., 04-May-44, Stab II., II., NJG 4, 4-mot. Flzg., 15-20km BJ-BH: 3000m [nördlich Romilly], 00.27, 3., -, , yes, C.2027/I, Anerk: Nr. 2, FMP, LW NF Claims 39-45, p.173; Boiten, Nachtjagd War Diaries, V.II, p.40,
Wilberg, Heinz, Ltn., 04-May-44, Stab II., II., NJG 4, 4-mot. Flzg., PlQu. BH-AH: 2500m [Raum Sézanne], 00.53, 4., -, , yes, C.2027/I, Anerk: Nr. 3, FMP, LW NF Claims 39-45, p.174; Boiten, Nachtjagd War Diaries, V.II, p.40, poss. 460 Sq. Lancaster ME740.
Wilberg, Heinz, Ltn., 07-May-44, Stab II., II., NJG 4, 4-mot. Flzg., PlQu. TB-UB: 500m [Raum Brionne], 02.33, 5., -, , yes, C.2027/I, Anerk: Nr. 5, FMP, LW NF Claims 39-45, p.174; Boiten, Nachtjagd War Diaries, V.II, p.42, 466 Sq. Halifax LV943. östlich Evreux per Boiten.

[Andre Stewart]

Yep, same guy. Only 1 known day victory and 5 night ones

[Marcel Hogenhuis]

Hello Andre

Nice job! Is there any reference to the posting of Heinz Wilberg with the 3./NJG 1 in May/June 1943, because his victory in the night of 21/22 June 1943 was with the 3./NJG 1 in Venlo.

All the best, Marcel / Venlo

[Kapper]

Marcel,

Around June 1943 several pilots were loaned to NJG1 during the Battle of the Ruhr from the other night fighting units. Since Wilbergs claims before and after June were with NJG4, this suggests that Wilberg was possibly one of the loaned pilots.

Regards,

Craig...

[Kapper]

Marcel

I just went searching for what I had on the Battle of the Ruhr information and realised that you already knew about the guest pilots to NJG1 from a previous post.

My apologies

regards,

Craig...

[Marcel Hogenhuis]

Hello Graig,

No problem, I appreciate your good intention even when this subject had been tackled already

All the best, Marcel

[Andre Stewart]

Hello Marcel,

My apologies for the very late response -- can't seem to spend as much time on Toch as I'd like to...

Unfortunately, there is no separate mention of Wilberg's stint with 3./NJG1 ~ it seems to have been part of his service with 4./NJG4, which is given as 1 Feb 1942 until 24 Nov 1942. The next day he took up appt as Adjutant in Stab II./NJG4 where he remained until his death.

Sorry could not be of more help.

rgds
andre