Loss of Oberfeldwebel Richard Kern - in air battle with 4 English jager?

[rickback4444]

Hi,

Have come in the possession of an interesting german death card of Oberfeldwebel Richard Kern. He was killed on 11th November 1943.

What is interesting is the description of how he died - in an airbattle with four English fighters (jagers). Can anyone provide any insight into this action? He was in a bomber squadron and was an experienced crew member with several awards inlcuding the Iron Cross 1st class and Frontflugspange.

Can anyone provide details?

Rick

[Chris Goss]

Ofw Richard Kern, Uffz Theodor Heinel, Uffz Kaspar Grasser, Uffz Wolfgang Heyer, Ogefr Rolf Adler were all killed in a Ju 188 E-1 Wk Nr 260210 of Erprobungsstaffel/KG 6 which was shot down by Mustangs of 400 Sqn at Amiens; 2 more Ju 188s were also shot down

[rickback4444]

Thanks Chris,

Does your information provide any details on the mission they were on?

Rick

[Chris Goss]

Transfer flight (non-operational)

[Stig Jarlevik]

Chris

What kind of unit was the Erprobungsstaffel KG 6 and why was it formed in the first place?? Not mentioned in the KG 6 book, but found it at Mikael Holm (one line only).

Strangely enough the loss listed by you is NOT mentioned in the KG 6 book. Can you advise the other two losses suffered that same day?
Was the losses also the reason the unit was cancelled?

The crew IS listed in the KG 6 book (but not under aeroplane losses), all that is except Theodor Heinel.

Cheers
Stig

[Flupke]

Hello to all

By the way they crashed at Bus-lès-Artois 30KM NE of Amiens

Regards
Phil

[Chris Goss]

Stig: I am afraid I am away from home at the moment. I helped with the privately produced 2-volume history of KG 6 (authored by Ab Jansen but completed by the KG 6 Association) and this combat is well detailed in there as they asked me to find out who shot them down. The Horn book seems to major more on the 262 ops as opposed to Ju 88/188 ops hence the omission?

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thanks Chris

I had NO idea there were TWO seperate histories written about KG 6

The one I have is authored by Jan Horn.... Also explains the mystery about Vol 2... Hmmm

When you are back, could you please look up the other two transfer losses of this elusive unit? Was this Erprobungs St issued to test the Ju 188??

Cheers
Stig

[Chris Goss]

I would guess they were operationaly testing/introducing the 188. Other losses were:

Wk Nr 260177, Gommecourt, Uffz Heinz Badow-F & Ogefr Adolf Kohnhorst-BF wounded

Wk Nr 260180, Warfusee-Abancourt. Uffz Albert Fliegel-F-wounded

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thanks Chris

As usual your help and updates appreciated. Also notice that in spite of being an Alte Haase, and away from home, there is nothing wrong with your memory!!!

Cheers
Stig