III/NJG.1 1941 Thimmig en airplane

[Herman]

Does anybody knows the carreer of Hptm (rank in july 1941) Wolfgang H. Thimmig before he became Gruppenkommandeure in 6.6.1942? Did he served in july 1941 in this unit too? I have a gap in his carreer from his start in the army until 6.6.42.
And I wonder whether the NJG 1 flew only Bf110 's in july 1941. Was there a chance of Thimmig flying a Bf109 (where I understood the NJG1 started with in 1940)?
What ware is initials on his plane? ( G9 + ??) or (G9 + ?A)
And, finally, am I right to assume that the eirfield that Thimmig was stationned was Twente in july 1941?

thanks for every clue!!
Herman

[necker]

On the 6th of June 1942, Thimmig became the Gruppenkommandeur of the III./NJG 1 on Twente. He was born in Dresden 1912, early '30ths he became a professional soldier with the new born Luftwaffe. In 1936 he became a leutnant. On the 12th of October 1940 he became Staffelkapitan with the 2./NJG1 where he became the nickname "Ameise" (Ant).

On the 1st of June 1943 Thimmig leaves Twente. On Twente Thimmig reaches 10 Abschusse. In June 1943 Thimmig becomes Gruppenkommandeur of the III./NGJ 101 and stayed Kommandeur until the 19th of October 1943. On the 20th of October 1943 he becomes Kommodore of the NJG4. In february 1945 Thimmig returns to Twente as a Kommodore of NJG2.

Thimmig survived the war and ended as an Oberstleutnant with 23 victories. A few short for the Ritterkreuz.

Source: Huzaren van de Nacht, part I from C. Cornelissen.

[Herman]

Hello

Many Thanks
It helps me quite a lot further. and clears up some uncertain timeperiods in my quests.

best regards
Herman

[Tom Semenza]

Adding a bit to Necker's post, Thimmig was an Oberleutnant and Gruppenadjutant of V.(Z)/LG 1 under Walter Grabmann until transferred on 16.04.40 presumably to Stab/ZG 76 along with Grabmann. He claimed 8 RAF bombers with 2./NJG 1 adding a further 10 victories with Stab III./NJG 1. Thimmig was awarded the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold on 12.07.43. He claimed 4 victories with Stab/NJG 4 the last 3 were B-26's on 8.07.44.

Sources:
Eimannsberger, Zerstörer Gruppe.
The Luftwaffe 1939-1945. (www.ww2.dk)
Scherzer, Die Träger des Deutschen Kreuzes in Gold der Luftwaffe.
Wood, OKL Fighter Claims.
Foreman et al., Luftwaffe Night Fighter Combat Claims.

Tom

[Thimmig]

Hi!
I am Wolfgang Thimmigs grandson and I found this thread when searching information about my grandfather on the net. I know for sure that he had G9+BR as initials on his plane. I wonder if we perhaps could exchange some more information about my grandfather?
Best regards

[Tom Semenza]

Interesting but curious. G9+BR would indicate an aircraft belonging to 7./NJG 1. Thimmig served with 2./NJG 1 and Stab III./NJG 1.

Regards,
Tom

[Herman]

Thanks Tom

I'll look into it again. But the story seems quite solid. But you never known.

Regards
Herman

[Marcel Hogenhuis]

Hello all and especially Mr. Thimmig,

Some minutes ago I have written a large answer with
- specific details about his career with the I./NJG 1 including all known losses of British bombers,
- the happy circumstance that I have several pictures (some in colour) of Wolfgang Thimmig,
- other references which do characterize his leadership and personality (mainly drawn from so called Weihnachtszeitungen)

when I somehow was thrown out and had to log in. This resulted in the loss of this answer. In short: Thimmig had 7 confirmed victories with the 2./NJG 1 in his function of Staffelkapitän, mostly with his regular Bordfunker Fw. Hans Steckemetz who followed him to Twente, when Wolfgang became Gruppenkommandeur of the III./NJG 1.

I would very much enjoy an exchange of information with his grandson mr. Thimmig, you certainly will enjoy the copies of texts and pictures I can provide.

Best wishes, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,

Marcel Hogenhuis (www.fliegerhorst-venlo.net)
Kaldenkerkerweg 10
5913 AD Venlo / Netherlands
Tel. +3177-3200914
marcelhogenhuis@gmail.com

[retje]

Hello all,

Wolfgang Thimmig, 22 Nachtabschusse and 1 Tagesabschuss.

Thimmig was in February 1941 with the Erg. Staffel NJG 1.

Regards and best wishes,

René Brachten

www.nachtjagd.eu

[Marcel Hogenhuis]

Hello René,

Could you give the source for this fact/assumption? I have a faint indication that - in contrast to what is commonly is believed - that the 2./NJG 1 temporarily was led by Lt. Reese as 'stellvertretend' Staffelführer.

All the best, Marcel