He111 - Aircraft Details - Aviation Directory

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He111 - Aircraft Details - Aviation Directory

He111

Name : He111
Manufacturer : Heinkel

The German medium bomber the Heinkel He111 was designed by Siegfried and Walter GÃ¼nter. The first He111 flew on 24th of February 1935, piloted by chief test pilot Gerhard Nitschke. The Heinkel He111 was the primary medium bomber of the Luftwaffe during the opening years of World War Two and the major bomber during the Battle of Britain. It was also used as a torpedo bomber during the Battle of the Atlantic. The Heinkel He111 was used in all theatres, Western, Eastern, Middle East and Northern Africa. He111 continued in production into 1944 and by the end of the war it was used primarily as a transport. Its origins came from a pre war airliner design.

Pilots and Aircrew for : He111

A list of all aircrew from our database who are associated with this aircraft. A profile page is available by clicking their name.

Name

Info

Arnold, Karl
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Died : 5 / 5 / 1941

Arnold, Karl

MIA 5/6 May, 1941 after aerial combat with a Defiant Night Fighter of RAF No. 141 Sq., piloted by P/O Meredith. Arnold had just completed his bombing run on Greenock when he was attacked four miles east of Cresswell. The AC banked sharply to starboard and dived towards the sea, exploding on impact. Remaining crew: Lt Walter Weisslener, Observer (MIA), Uffz Herbert Bhen, wireless operator (MIA) and Gefr Werner Willeke, mechanic (KIA).

Auer, Hans
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Died : 19 / 9 / 1943

Auer, Hans

KIFA with unnamed crew 19 September, 1943; while climbing thru low-lying cloud layer, he collided with another H-16, Wk# 161384, piloted by Uffz Walter Fock, killing both crews, the acs crashed west of Dubrovka.

BACKES,
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Died : 11 / 6 / 1943

BACKES,

Luftwaffe Crewman of a He.111 Bomber, died when the aircraft crashed during the night of 11th/12th June 1943.

Baldauf, Fritz
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Baldauf, Fritz

POW 15 August, 1940. Remaining crew (all POW); Uffz Adolf Renner, Observer, Ogefr Wilhelm RÃ¶ssinger, wireless operator, Gefr Walter Lorenz, mechanic and Uffz Christoph Schumann, gunner.

Berking, Joachim
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Berking, Joachim

Joining the Luftwafte in November 1939, Joachim Berking was commissioned and trained as a pilot on Ju52s and He111s as part of KG53 based at Lille in northern France. In May 1942 he was posted to KG55 Grief in Russia, joining the 4th Staffel based in Djepropetrowsk, where he completed 291 combat missions, of which 60 were night operations. In November 1943 he returned to France to become head of training of 1 L/KG5 5 at Dijon. After this posting he converted to fighters, training on the Me109, and in April 1945 was posted to command 4./JG27 Marseille. He received the Iron Cross I and II, the German Cross in Gold, and a special honorary trophy from Reichsmarschall Hermann Goering for outstanding services in air combat.

Bogdan, Walter
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Bogdan, Walter

Walter Bogdan joined the Luftwaffe in March 1941, and after completing his training as a radio operator, was posted to join KG55 flying Heinkel He111s. He flew over 110 combat missions in He111s as radio operator to Leutnant Kessler. On their seventh mission they were forced to make an emergency landing during the siege of Stalingrad, and in April 1944 encountered a second emergency landing on his 75th mission. His final and 110th mission occured in July 1944 when, attacking Brjansk railway station, his aircraft was hit 122 times, but he and his pilot managed to get their aircraft safely home.

Christmann, Karl
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Died : 5 / 11 / 1944

Christmann, Karl

Karl Christmann was killed on 5 November 1944 after his bomber was attacked by British night fighters. awarded Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 5 April 1944 as Oberfeldwebel and observer in the 6./Kampfgeschwader 53 "Legion Condor

Claas, Paul
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Died : 28 / 6 / 1943

Claas, Paul

Claas was killed on 20 June 1943 after a water landing in the Sea of Azov. Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (22 May 1941) Iron Cross (1939) 2nd Class (9 September 1940 1st Class (28 September 1940 German Cross in Gold on 24 November 1941 as Hauptmann in the 2./Kampfgeschwader 28[2] Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross on 14 March 1943 as Major and Gruppenkommandeur of the I./Kampfgeschwader 100

Clemm von Hohenberg, Dieter-Hans
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Died : 30 / 6 / 1944

Clemm von Hohenberg, Dieter-Hans

Dieter-Hans Clemm von Hohenberg (27 September 1915 â€“ 30 June 1944) was a German Luftwaffe bomber pilot with KG55 and LG 1 Dieter-Hans Clemm von Hohenberg was posthumously promoted to Major and on 18 November 1944 was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Feist, Richard
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Died : 30 / 1 / 1940

Feist, Richard

Observer in He111H-2 1H+KM of 4 Staffel, II/KG26: The aircraft was claimed shot down by F/Lt Caesar B Hull & Sgt Frank Reginald 'Chotau' Carey of 43 Sqn, RAF Acklington in Hurricanes L1849 & L1728, aircraft crashed into the North Sea, five miles east of Coquet Island, Northumberland, at 12:45 [Sortie to Firth of Forth]. All four crew missing or killed: Fw FW Helmut HÃ¶fer pilot missing Uffz Richard Feist observer killed Ogfr Albert Hain wireless operator missing Gfr Werner Korsinsky mechanic missing

Felde, Karl-Horst Meyer zum
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Felde, Karl-Horst Meyer zum

With a passion for flying Karl-Horst joined the Luftwafte in October 1938, and following the outbreak of war he flew night operations as a pilot with KG55 over France before taking part in the great Blitz raids over England. After the invasion of Russia he transferred to the Eastern Front and fought at Stalingrad, making several emergency landings including one major incident when, having lost an engine to enemy action, he made a forced landing on one engine in the countryside of south Russia, where he had to join German ground units. He flew both He111s and Ju88s during the war, and was awarded the German Cross in Gold.

Fischer, Gerhard
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Died : 1 / 11 / 1941

Fischer, Gerhard

Hain, Albert
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Died : 30 / 1 / 1940

Hain, Albert

Wireless Operator in He111H-2 1H+KM of 4 Staffel, II/KG26: The aircraft was claimed shot down by F/Lt Caesar B Hull & Sgt Frank Reginald 'Chotau' Carey of 43 Sqn, RAF Acklington in Hurricanes L1849 & L1728, aircraft crashed into the North Sea, five miles east of Coquet Island, Northumberland, at 12:45 [Sortie to Firth of Forth]. All four crew missing or killed: Fw FW Helmut HÃ¶fer pilot missing Uffz Richard Feist observer killed Ogfr Albert Hain wireless operator missing Gfr Werner Korsinsky mechanic missing

Hermann, Hajo
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Died : 5 / 11 / 2010

Hermann, Hajo

Hans-Joachim Hermann was born on August 1st 1913 in Kiel, Germany. Hans-Joachim Hermann began his military career as an infantry officer, but after his introduction to gliding â€“ and an invitation from Herman GÃ¶ring, he transferred to the newly-created Luftwaffe and was commissioned in 1935. In August 1936, Herrmann was in the first group of Germans to arrive in Spain to support General Franco's Nationalist forces. Initially Hans-Joachim Hermann flew bombing operations in the Junkers 52 before becoming a founder member of the Condor Legion, whosemain mission was to attack airfields and defensive positions near Madrid. Many more bombing operations followed, and in April 1937 he returned to Germany. When Germany invading Poland Hermann took off in his Heinkel He111 to bomb railway lines in Poland on the first day. This was the first of 18 targets that Hermann attacked before his unit moved to support the German invasion of Norway. His unit was deployed to bomb targets near Oslo and Stavanger and after the fall of Norway, Hermann's unit was re-equipped with the Junkers 88 and moved to support the German army during the blitzkrieg across the Low Countries and France. During the battle of Britain Hermann was the commander of the 7th Staffel of KG-4, and he led many bombing attacks on England. His first target was oil refineries at Thames Haven and on the night of the 7th / 8th of September 1940 he attacked London. This was his 69th operation against England, when he bombed the India Dock. By the end of the Battle of Britian Hajo Hermann had flown 21 missions over London. A formidable figure in the Luftwaffe, Hajo Hermann was originally awarded the Knight's Cross in 1940 as a bomber pilot. In February 1941 while based in Sicily, Hermann led dive-bombing attacks against airfields on Malta. He was also ordered to hold the British Fleet in check. Attacks against the Royal Navy's heaviest ships followed. On April 7th 1941 following the German advance into Greece, Hermann's unit started mining and bombing operations in the eastern Mediterranean. On one attack, against shipping in Piraeus harbour, Hermann's bomb hit Clan Fraser, which was carrying 350 tons of high explosive. The resulting explosion sank 10 other ships and closed the port for many months. Hermann flew over 320 operations with KG4. In July 1941 Hermann was appointed commander of a bomber group, initially based in France to attack targets in England, before moving to a new base in the far north of Norway. His unit attacked Allied convoys heading for Murmansk with supplies for the Russians - these artic convoys included PQ-17, which was continously attacked. PQ -17 would lose a total of 24 merchantmen and only 11 ships made it through. With II./JG30, Hermann sank a total of 12 ships and in 1942 Hermann was assigned to the general staff in Germany, where he became a close confidant of GÃ¶ring. In July 1942 he was appointed to the Luftwaffe operational staff. During the summer of 1943 as the Royal Air Force carried out night bombing raids, Hermann devised the tactic of using day fighters to hunt alone rather than in packs. As a bomber man himself, his ideas initially gained little support from the Luftwaffe's night fighter staff, but GÃ¶ring supported the idea. Flown by experienced night fighter pilots and ex-instructors, the fighters waited in the darkness above their Allied targets, using the light of fires below to illuminate the bombers before attacking. He was responsible for the formation of JG300 and founded the highly successful Wilde Sau (Wild Boar) tactics of free roaming Fw190 night fighters. Hermann himself flew more than 50 wild boar missions and was twice forced to bail out of his stricken fighter. In December 1943 he was appointed Luftwaffe Inspector of Aerial Defence. At the end of 1944 he led the 9th Flieger division and created the famous Rammkommando. Hermann was credited with shooting down nine RAF bombers. After being Inspector General of night fighters, Hermann was appointed to command the First Fighter Division, when he continued to fly on operations. At the end of the war he was captured by the Russians. He spent 10 years in Soviet camps and was one of the last to be released, returning to Germany on October 12th 1955. Hajo Hermann awarded the Knight's Cross, Oak Leaves and Swords. Sadly, we have learned that Hajo Hermann passed away on 5th November 2010.

Hajo Hermann - photograph taken c.2000 as he signed the print Timber Wolf.
Hajo Hermann - photograph taken c.2000.

Hofer, Helmut
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Died : 30 / 1 / 1940

Hofer, Helmut

Pilot of He111H-2 1H+KM of 4 Staffel, II/KG26: The aircraft was claimed shot down by F/Lt Caesar B Hull & Sgt Frank Reginald 'Chotau' Carey of 43 Sqn, RAF Acklington in Hurricanes L1849 & L1728, aircraft crashed into the North Sea, five miles east of Coquet Island, Northumberland, at 12:45 [Sortie to Firth of Forth]. All four crew missing or killed: Fw FW Helmut HÃ¶fer pilot missing Uffz Richard Feist observer killed Ogfr Albert Hain wireless operator missing Gfr Werner Korsinsky mechanic missing

Kesten, Kurt
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Kesten, Kurt

Kurt Kesten was born in 1922 and entered the Luftwaffe in 1941. He flew many types of training aircraft, and later flew the He-111, Do-17, and ju-88. Kesten served with SG 3, KG 30, and KG (j) 30 where he flew the FW190 F Mistel combination. His last assignment prior to the end of the War was at Rostcock-Marienehe, a former Heinkel factory airfield, where he flew the Mistel combination. After Mistel operations had ended Kesten flew a number of fighter-bomber missions in the FW-190 F. Kesten was awarded the Iron Cross Class 2. He currently resides in Hannoversch-Munden, Germany.

Knaebel, Herbert E
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Died : 17 / 10 / 2009

Knaebel, Herbert E

Born on February 21, 1918 in Wolmirstedt, Germany, Herbert Knaebel was interested in aviation as a youngster. He joined the Luftwaffe in 1936, was trained as a pilot, earned his wings, and joined the Kampfgeschwader Hindenburg. Knaebel volunteered for combat duty and joined the Condor Legion in Spain, where he flew the Heinkel 111 on 62 missions during the Spanish Civil War. At the end of this conflict Knaebel rejoined his old unit. As World War 11 erupted Knaebel was pressed into duty during the attacks on Poland, France, and eventually during the Battle of Britain. Knaebel became the first Luftwaffe bomber pilot to fly his 100th mission. Herbert was fortunate to fly many of these mission without incident. However, on April 9,1941 Knaebel flew his 162nd and most eventful mission, which was to prove to be his last. While attacking a British convoy in the North Sea, Knaebel's Heinkel 111 was hit by anti-aircraft fire from two destroyers. With two of his crew critically injured, Knaebel was attempting to return to base when an RAF Hurricane targeted Knaebel's aircraft. The Hurricane ultimately brought down Knaebel's craft, and Knaebel and his navigator, the only other surviving crewman, bailed out. Demonstrating the gallantry and respect often exhibited by fellow airmen, even if on opposing sides, the Hurricane pilot dropped a yellow marker, and flew back and forth to a destroyer, which finally picked up the two survivors from the cold waters. Knaebel became, as he describes it, "a guest of the King" (i.e.- prisoner of war) following his rescue. He spent one year of captivity in England, but was later transferred to Canada. As a POW Knaebel took advantage of the opportunity to further educate himself, as he had access in the camp to many books. He was released in Canada in 1947. Returning to Germany to complete his education, Herbert married his wife Mary in 1951. The young couple immigrated to Canada where Herbert worked for the International Nickel Company and later U.S. Steel in Northern Quebec. In 1962 the Knaebels decided to look for a warmer climate, and they immigrated to the Central Coast of California. Herbert worked for a time at Vandenburg AF13 near Santa Maria, California. Bitten by the California bug, he decided to pass up the opportunity for a permanent position which would have necessitated a move to Arkansas. Instead Knaebel joined a local company as its Chief Chemist, a position he retained for twenty-two years prior to his retirement. Herbert and his wife Mary were resident in Santa Maria, where Herbert enjoyed a daily swim under the warm California skys. Sadley, Herbert Knaebel passed away on 17th October 2009.

Korsinsky, Werner
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Died : 30 / 1 / 1940

Korsinsky, Werner

Mechanic in He111H-2 1H+KM of 4 Staffel, II/KG26: The aircraft was claimed shot down by F/Lt Caesar B Hull & Sgt Frank Reginald 'Chotau' Carey of 43 Sqn, RAF Acklington in Hurricanes L1849 & L1728, aircraft crashed into the North Sea, five miles east of Coquet Island, Northumberland, at 12:45 [Sortie to Firth of Forth]. All four crew missing or killed: Fw FW Helmut HÃ¶fer pilot missing Uffz Richard Feist observer killed Ogfr Albert Hain wireless operator missing Gfr Werner Korsinsky mechanic missing

Leins, Georg
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Died : 1 / 11 / 1941

Leins, Georg

Muller, Johann
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Died : 31 / 1 / 1940

Muller, Johann

Pilot of 5J+HN of 5./KG 4 crashed and burned out near Diepholz at 2015 hrs, just after take Off cause unknown Crew were all killed Oblt Johann MÃ¼ller (pilot) Oblt Max Graf Draganski (observer) Fw Friedrich ZÃ¼fle (radio) Uffz Fritz Steinecke (flight engineer)

Pabst, Wilhelm
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Died : 5 / 12 / 1940

Pabst, Wilhelm

Pflaum, Hubert-Ludwig
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Pflaum, Hubert-Ludwig

After joining the Luftwaffe and completing his flight training, he originally flew Heinkel 111 bombers with IV./KG 27 Boelcke. Towards the end of the war, however, he transferred to train as a fighter pilot, and after qualifying joined II./JG53 PikAs where he flew Bf109s with 6 Staffel in the Defence of the Reich.

Rubmeyer, Karl
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Rubmeyer, Karl

Karl Rubmeyer was born in 1918 at Roche near UeIzen, Germany. He entered the Luftwaffe in 1940. He flew the standard types of training aircraft and the He-111, ju~86, Ju-88, captured French Saiman 202, Caudron 405, and the Mistel combination. He served with Uberfuhrunggsgeschader West and KG 30 and KG 200 where he flew the Mistel. His last assignment was at the former Heinkel factory airfield at Rostock-Marienehe. Rubmeyer attained the rank of Feldwebel and received the Iron Cross Class 2. Following the War Rubmeyer served as the Secretary in a printing business. He currently resides in Germany.

Schneider, Fritz
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Died : 19 / 1 / 1940

Schneider, Fritz

sent on 19 January 1940 for a high-level photo-reconnaissance sortie to the Firth of Forth and the Clyde. Sgt James Russell Caister of 603 Sqn RAF was on a shipping patrol alone in his Spitfire when the approach of the intruder was reported, and he at once set off to intercept, catching the Heinkel at over 20,000 feet off Aberdeen at 1205 hrs. He opened fire, but due to the extreme cold several of his guns failed to operate, while those that did, achieved no obvious result. At 1235 the squadronâ€™s Red Section, comprising Flg Off John Galloway Edward Haig, Flg Off Harold Kennedy Macdonald and Plt Off George Kemp Gilroy, scrambled after the aircraft, catching it 20 miles east of Aberdeen. The British pilots attacked, opening fire at 350 yards and cloising to 200. The German crew made no effort to jink and did not return fire. The Heinkel had been heavily damaged and eventually crashed into the sea without survivor 60 miles east of Aberdeen at 1315 hrs. Crew were all killed Uffz Fritz Schneider (pilot) Lt de Res Johann Fokuhl (observer) Uffz Heinz Hartwig (flight engineer) Uffz Otto SchÃ¤fer (air gunner)

Sudel, Heinrich
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Died : 12 / 8 / 2011

Sudel, Heinrich

Having joined the Luftwaffe in 1937, Heinrich Sudel was an experienced Observer in He111s by the time war broke out. He flew a total of 408 combat missions in Heinkels, both in the West over France and England, and on the Eastern Front. In September 1940 whilst over England, his aircraft was badly damaged by RAF fighters, but his pilot managed to reach the safety of the French coast on one engine. He finished the war commanding L/KG55, and had been awarded the Knights Cross, the Iron Cross I and II, and the German Cross in Gold. Heinrich Sudel passed away on 12th August 2011.

Tepe, Alwin
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Died : 1 / 11 / 1941

Tepe, Alwin

Terstegen, Rudolf
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Died : 1 / 11 / 1941

Terstegen, Rudolf

Weiss,
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Died : 5 / 12 / 1940

Weiss,

Wickins, John Frederick
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Wickins, John Frederick

Nos44, 106 and 241 Squadrons. RAFVR 1939. Trained as AG 26/8/40. Qualified 26/9/40. Rank-Sgt. Posted to 241 Squadron Army Co - op Nov. 1940. Apr 1941 - 241 Sqd -Joined the Fifth Army Division at Bury St Edmunds - Lysanders were thcaircraft. Oct 1941 Commissioned and posted to Scampton -Waddington 44 squadron. No Ops but one flightvdth S/L/ NettletonV.C. W/C LeroydV.C. was Flight Commander. April 1942 posted to Coningsby 106 Squadron and joined W/C Gibson's crew as Rear Gunner and started my Ops tour. Started in Manchesters then Lancasters completed 24 ops trips with W/C (Gibson) which was more than anyone else. Then went on my pilots course. Aircraft flown: Tiger Moth - Solo in Shrs. 10mins. Canada Curnell - Solo. Anson 11 - Solo. 25 Aug 1944. Passed above average and got wings, UK 1945 - Oxford. UK 1945 Nov - then posted to Farnborough Experimental & Research Dept re Gurinery." Operational record, date. target, pilot, comment. 22/4/42, Baltic, W/C Gibson, Mine Laying. 23/4/42, Rustock, S/LNelms, Mine Laying. 23/4/42, Rustock, W/C Gibson, Mine Laying. 8/5/42, WarDemunde, W/C Gibson. 30/5/42, Cologne, S/L Wooldridge, first 1000 +raid. 1/6/42, Essen, S/L Wooldridge, 1000 +raid. 2516/42, Bremen, 1000 + raid. 29/6/42, Bremen, S/LWooldridge, 1000 + raid. 8/7/42, Wilemishaven, W/C Gibson. 1117/42, Danzig, W/C Gibson, Daylight 10.15 hrs. 18/7/42, Essen, W/CGibson, Recalled. 26/7/42, Hamburg, W/C Gibson. 29/7/42, Dusseldorf, W1C Gibson. 27/8/42, Gdynia, W/C Gibson, Graf Zeppelin - Sub Docks 9.50 hrs. 1/9/42, Saarbucken, WIC Gibson, First 8000 Ibs bombs on Germany. 13/9/42, Bremen, WICGIbson. 1919/42, Munich. P/O1Butterworth. 23/9142, Wismar, W/CGibson, DorrilerWorks. 5110/42, Aachen, P/01,Vellington. 15/10/42, Cologne, WICGibson. 17/10/42, LeCreusot, W/CGibson, Daylight 94 A/C 10.25 hrs target Montchanin Power Station. 22/10/42, Genoa, W/C Gibson, Largest on Italy at that time 9.30 hrs 8000 Ibs bomb. 24/10/42, Milan, W/C Gibson, Daylight 10.25 hrs. 7/11142, Genoa, W/C Gibson. 18/11142, Turin, W/C Gibson, Flat works. 20/11/42, Turin, P/0 Cooper, Lost an engine. 28/11/42, Turin, W/C Gibson, 8000 Ibs first ever Italy. 11/11/42, Essen, W/C Gibson. 18/1/43, Berlin, W/C Gibson, lst 8000 Ibs bomb Berlin took Major Dimbelby (BBC News). 14/2/43, Milan, W/C Gibson. 25/2/43, Nurenberg, W/C Gibson, 8000 Ibs bomb. 26/2/43, W/C Gibson. 28/2/43, St.Nazarle, F/Lt Shannon (Dam Buster)

Squadrons :

Pilots or Aircrew :

Historical Notes :
31-01-1940 - 5J+HN of 5./KG 4 crashed and burned out near Diepholz at 2015 hrs, just after take Off cause unknown Crew were all killed Oblt Johann MÃ¼ller (pilot) Oblt Max Graf Draganski (observer) Fw Friedrich ZÃ¼fle (radio) Uffz Fritz Steinecke (flight engineer)

Squadrons :

Historical Notes :
04-07-1940 - while on bombing mission of BAC Filton: III/KG 54.He 111P, Wnr.2480, B3+DM (previously used by 4/KG 54) all crew were killed except one Ltn. Hans-Heinrich Delfs (F) Uffz. Gerhard Bischoff (B) and Uffz. Hermann Krack (Bs) Uffz. Heinz Karwelat (Bf) POW injured Intercepted on return flight over Weston-s-Mare and severely damaged by Spitfires of Yellow Section, 92 Sq. (Pembrey) - P/O. H.D.Edwards, P/O. C.H.Saunders and Sgt. R.H.Fokes. Crashed at 15.25 hrs at Longmoor Farm, Gillingham, Dorset. Saunders and Fokes landed alongside the wreck and assisted in rescue work.

Squadrons :
KG53

Historical Notes :
05-12-1940 - Abandoned near Kempten. 2 injured. Aircraft Destroyed.

Historical Notes :
17-10-1939 - Luftwaffe, 2/Aufkl. Gr.122 shot down on 17 October 1939 at 16:00 hours, by three Spitfires from 41 Squadron, based at RAF Catterick, North Yorkshire. The 41 Squadron Spitfire pilots were Flying Officer Peter Blatchford (RCAF), Flight Sgt Ted Shipman and Flight Sgt Albert Harris. The He 111H-1 crashed into the sea, 20 miles off Sandsend near Whitby at 16.00. It is thought the He 111 was looking for the battleship HMS Hood, which was anchored in the Firth of Forth. Two of the crew of the German aircraft, Oblt Joachim Kretschmer and Uffz Hugo Sauer were both killed while the Heinkel was being shot down. The other crewmen, Ofw Eugen Lange and Uffz Bernhard Hochstuhl came ashore in a rubber dinghy. The injured crewman had a shrapnel wound to his leg. It seems they spent quite some time in the dinghy before making land. They came ashore at Lythdale Sands, on the 19th October 1939. Both survived the war. The body of Uffz Hugo Sauer washed ashore near Whitby on 30 October, 1939 and he now lies in the German Military Cemetery at Cannock Chase. The body of Oblt Joachim Kretschmer was never found.

Squadrons :
KG53

Historical Notes :
05-12-1940 - Crash Landed 35% Damaged at Vendeville.

Squadrons :
KG53

Historical Notes :
05-12-1940 - Abandoned in flight near Hagenow (due to weather?) Aircraft Destroyed.

Squadrons :
KG53

Pilots or Aircrew :
Wilhelm Pabst
Friedrich Hess

Historical Notes :
05-12-1940 - Crashed. near Le Culot Fw. Wilhelm Pabst and crew killed.

Pilots or Aircrew :
Alwin Tepe
Gerhard Fischer
Georg Leins
Rudolf Terstegen

Historical Notes :
01-11-1941 - Shot down by the Beaufighter of Mervyn Shipard and co-pilot Douglas Oxby, destroyed in the air and landing in farmland on Anglesey. Uffz Alwin Tepe killed, Uffz Gerhard Fischer killed, Gef Rudolf Terstegen killed, Lt Georg Leins missing.

Historical Notes :
28-10-1939 - 1H+JA,of KG 26 had been briefed to carry out a reconnaissance mission over the Firth of Clyde, possibly looking for HMS Hood, and then to continue homeward over the Firth of Forth near Edinburgh. However, the aircraft was detected while en route to the Firth of Forth.Fighters from 602 (City of Glasgow) and 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadrons formerly, Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF) Squadrons based at RAF Drem were scrambled to intercept the bomber. When the Heinkel pilot realised that he was being pursued, he began a turn to the south-east in an attempt to escape the RAF fighters. However, despite employing extensive evasive tactics, the Heinkel was hit numerous times by machine gun fire, sustaining serious damage. (One of the RAF airmen involved was 25-year-old Flight Lieutenant Archie McKellar of 602 Squadron. Sadly, Archie McKellar was killed a few hours after the official end of the Battle of Britain.) During the encounter the two air gunners in the rear of the Heinkel were killed, Lehmkul was hit in the back by machine gun fire and was wounded while Niehoff suffered a fractured spine during the crash landing. The pilot managed to force land his aircraft in a nearby field Both the German pilot and the navigator spent the rest of the war as POW's. The two Luftwaffe air gunners Cpl Bruno Reimann and â€¢Sgt Gottleb Kowalke who were killed were buried with full military honours.

Squadrons :
KG53

Pilots or Aircrew :
Weiss
Gerhard Dittmann

Historical Notes :
05-12-1940 - Abandoned near Neheim after becoming lost in bad weather Fw. Weiss Killed and 1 crew injured. Aircraft Destroyed.

Pilots or Aircrew :

Historical Notes :
19-01-1940 - sent on 19 January 1940 for a high-level photo-reconnaissance sortie to the Firth of Forth and the Clyde. Sgt James Russell Caister of 603 Sqn RAF was on a shipping patrol alone in his Spitfire when the approach of the intruder was reported, and he at once set off to intercept, catching the Heinkel at over 20,000 feet off Aberdeen at 1205 hrs. He opened fire, but due to the extreme cold several of his guns failed to operate, while those that did, achieved no obvious result. At 1235 the squadronâ€™s Red Section, comprising Flg Off John Galloway Edward Haig, Flg Off Harold Kennedy Macdonald and Plt Off George Kemp Gilroy, scrambled after the aircraft, catching it 20 miles east of Aberdeen. The British pilots attacked, opening fire at 350 yards and cloising to 200. The German crew made no effort to jink and did not return fire. The Heinkel had been heavily damaged and eventually crashed into the sea without survivor 60 miles east of Aberdeen at 1315 hrs. Crew were all killedUffz Fritz Schneider (pilot) Lt de Res Johann Fokuhl (observer) Uffz Heinz Hartwig (flight engineer) Uffz Otto SchÃ¤fer (air gunner)

Squadrons :

Historical Notes :
02-11-1939 - F6+EK of 2(F)/Aufkl. Gr. 122, Shot down by 87 Squadron Hurricanes. Flight Lieutenant Robert Voase Jeff claimed this as his victory; he was flying in Hurricane L1613...however, squadron records do not support or confirm this claimed 'kill'. The Heinkel belly landed at La Longue Croix, Stables near Hazebrouck, The wing of the Heinkel struck an electric pylon, the landing gear broke against a hedge near a small creek. One Killed and one wounded, two unhurt. (Oblt. W. Ohmsen) all surviving crew made POW by the French. The aircraft was dismantled by the French and removed by road,

Known Individual Aircraft : He111 :
Type	Serial	Codes	First Flew	Squadron History	Aircrew History	History Notes	Engine	Factory
He111 P-2	1552	5J+HN	-	*details*	*details*	*details*
He111 P	2480	B3+DM	-	*details*	*no information*	*details*
He111 H2	2616		-	*details*	*no information*	*details*
He111 H-1	2728	F6+PK	-	*no information*	*no information*	*details*
He111 H3	3347		-	*details*	*no information*	*details*
He111 H5	3535		-	*details*	*no information*	*details*
He111 H5	3632		-	*details*	*details*	*details*
He111 H6	4430	F8+KR	-	*no information*	*details*	*details*
He111 H-4	5449	1H+JA	-	*no information*	*no information*	*details*
He111 H2	5535		-	*details*	*details*	*details*
He111 H2	5542	T5+UH	-	*no information*	*details*	*details*
He111 H-2	5650	F6+EK	-	*details*	*no information*	*details*

Squadrons for : He111
A list of all squadrons known to have flown the He111. A profile page is available by clicking the squadron name.
Squadron	Info
GR122 Country : Germany Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of GR122	GR122 Formed 1.5.34 in Prenzlau from 1./Aufkl.Gr.222. On 1.10.36 renamed 3.Aufkl.Gr.121. Reformed 1.9.37 in Prenzlau from AufklÃ¤rungsstaffel/LG Greifswald. On 1.10.37 re designated 1./Aufkl.Gr.22. Reformed 1.11.38 in Goslar. Commanding officers of â€¢Obstlt Hermann Fricke, 1 Nov 1938 - 1 Apr 1939 â€¢Maj Werner Kreipe, 1 Apr 1939 - 4 Dec 1939 â€¢Maj GÃ¼nther Heinze, 5 Dec 1939 - Mar 1941 â€¢Oberst Fritz Koehler, 20 Mar 1941 - 11 Sep 1942 â€¢Oberst Roman Schneider, Sep 1942 - 20 Mar 1943 â€¢Maj Helmuth Orlowski, 22 Mar 1943 - 8 Nov 1943 â€¢Hptm Friedrich Hopsspe, 1943 - 1944 â€¢Hptm Heinz Maetzel, 1944 - May 1945
KG26 Country : Germany Fate : In May 1945 it began to rescue encircled German soldiers from the Courland pocket as the Red Army closed in. The Gruppe's last operation, on 9 May Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of KG26	KG26 Kampfgeschwader 26 (KG 26) "LÃ¶wengeschwader" Luftwaffe bomber wing unit during World War II. Its units participated on all of the fronts in the European Theatre until the end of the war. It operated three of the major German aircraft medium bomber types; the Heinkel He 111, Junkers Ju 88 and the Junkers Ju 188. The unit engaged in both strategic bombing, close air support, anti-shipping and aerial interdiction operations. The majority of its operational life â€“ not entirely unlike another Luftwaffe wing designated KG 40 â€” was spent on anti-shipping missions Commanding officers Major-General Hans Siburg (1 May 1939 â€“ September 1939) Oberst Robert Fuchs (29 September 1939 â€“ June 1940) Oberstleutnant Karl Freiherr von Wechmar (July 1940 â€“ 19 November 1940) Killed in action Oberst Robert Fuchs (November 1940 â€“ acting) Oberstlt Benno Kosch (25 November 1940 â€“ 11 February 1941) Oberst Alexander Holle (December 1940 â€“ June 1941) General-Major Ernst-August Roth (15 December 1941 â€“ 2 February 1942) Oberst Karl Stockmann (November 1942 â€“ 31 January 1943) Oberstlt Werner KlÃ¼mper (1 February 1943 â€“ November 1944) Oberstlt Wilhelm Stemmler (November 1944 â€“ January 1945) Oberstlt Georg Teske (February 1945 â€“ 9 May 1945)
KG27 Country : Germany Founded : May 1939 Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of KG27	KG27 Formed May 1939 KG 27 was part of Luftflotte 3 during the Battle of Britain, with their Headquarters and I Gruppe based at Tours, II Gruppe at Dinard and Bourges, and III Gruppe at Rennes. KG 27 was equipped with Henikel III before and during the Battle, using this type for most of the War - including operational service on the Eastern Front.
KG4 Country : Germany Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of KG4	KG4 Full profile not yet available.
KG53 Country : Germany Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of KG53	KG53 Full profile not yet available.
KG54 Country : Germany Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of KG54	KG54 Kampfgeschwader 54 "Totenkopf"(German pronunÂciaÂtion: [ kampfɡəʃvaːdɐ fiːɐ ʊntfʏnftsɪÃ§ ]) (KG 54) was a Luftwaffe bomber wing during World War II. It served on nearly all the fronts in the European Theatre where the German Luftwaffe operated. KG 54 was formed in May 1939. The bomber wing was equipped with two of the major German medium bomber types; the Heinkel He 111 and the Junkers Ju 88. It was given and insignia of a human skull, which was sometimes displayed on a shield-like device, but more often depicted over a normal camouflage pattern. It bore a strikingly close graphic resemblance to that of the 3rd SS Panzer Division, known as the "Death's Head Division". The Totenkopf motif was inspired by the Braunschweiger Black Hussars KG 54 began it's first campaign in September 1939 when German forces invaded Poland, which began World War II. It spent the Phoney War resting and refitting though it did carry out leaflet-dropping over France. In April 1940KG 54 briefly supported the Operation WeserÃ¼bung, the invasions of Denmark and Norway. In May 1940KG 54 played a critical and controversial role in Fall Gelb, the German offensive into Western Europe. On 14 May 1940, as the Battle of the Netherlands reached a climax, KG 54 carried out the Rotterdam Blitz, which destroyed the centre of the city and killed many civilians. The attack played a role in the surrender of the Dutch Army.[2] KG 54 continued to support German forces in the Battle of Belgium and Battle of France through to the surrender of the latter in June 1940. From July 1940 it fought in the Battle of Britain sustaining considerable losses and thereafter in The Blitz.KG 54 also provided tertiary support to the Kriegsmarine, German Navy, the Battle of the Atlantic. From June 1941 to October 1942 it fought on the Eastern Front after Operation Barbarossa and the invasion of the Soviet Union. In 1943 it served in the Mediterranean, Middle East and African theatres of war.KG 54 fought on the Italian Front and participated in Operation Steinbock over England. It supported German forces in the night intruder role over the beachheads in June 1944 and served on the Western Front until October 1944, when the last of its groups was disbanded
KG77 Country : Germany Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of KG77	KG77 Kampfgeschwader 77 was formed on 1 May 1939 at Praha-Kbely, Kampfgeschwader 77 in Czechoslovakia with Stab./KG 77 and I Gruppe. II Gruppe at Praha-Kbely on the same date. The unit was allocated to Luftflotte 4, and equipped with the Do 17Z, while III./KG 77 was not made operational until 26 August 1939, again in KÃ¶niggrÃ¤tz, now Hradec KrÃ¡lovÃ©. While training in the summer of 1939 the Geschwader "worked up" on the Dornier Do 17Z and He 111. During the Polish campaign I. and III. Gruppes of KG 77 took part in combat operations. Operating from Breslau-SchÃ¶ngarten (today Copernicus Airport Wrocław), I./KG 77 committed 108 bombers to the campaign. Operating from Breslau under Luftflotte 4. The unit participated in the Battle of Bzura, and carried out raids in the areas of Galicia, Radom, Kielce and Warsaw against rail, airfield and troop targets During the advance through Belgiuma nd France The Unit committed 111 bombers to the campaign. From its base at Werl it operated over Belgium and northern France, attacking French armour targets in the Reims and Amiens area. KG 77 supported the German Army during the Battle of Dunkirk, and it supported the southern offensive, Fall Rot until the French surrender. Its most notable action during the campaign was its part in Operation Paula, an all-out attack on Paris airfields, 3 June 1940. During the battle of Britain In mid-July 1940 all three gruppen returned to Germany to convert to the Junkers Ju 88. When III./KG 77 returned to France in late August (it was still based at Regensburg on 26 August) it had 35 Ju 88s operational. This gruppe suffered losses of 9 Ju 88s on a single mission against Gravesend on 18 September, one of the highest losses of any gruppe in a single mission.I./KG 77 in conjunction with II. and III. gruppe supported operations during the Blitz. On 27 September I./KG 77 lost six J 88s when raiding London, while II./KG 77 lost another six on the same night. During 1941 the Geschwader also took part in the Battle of the Atlantic. It attempted to support the German battleship Bismarck during her Atlantic operation during 26â€“28 May 1941. However, the unit was unable to intervene before she sank. The Geschwader did manage to sink the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Mashona on 28 May 1941, as the British forces withdrew to port. Daylight and night attacks were undertaken over the British Isles again from 27 July - 13 August 1942. I and III./KG 77 were the only units committed to Operation Barbarossa, with a total of 59 Ju 88s.[4] The Geschwader supported Army Group North's drive into the Baltic states and took part in the Siege of Leningrad. During this period I./KG 77 helped defeat a strong Soviet counter-attack by the 11th Army and 34th Army. KG 77 also supported Operation Beowulf, the invasion of the Baltic islands of Osel, Moon and Dago. During the battle for Estonia it inflicted severe losses on Soviet shipping, with the same dive-bombing tactics used over Norway, France and Britain. KGr 806 sank the Soviet destroyer Karl Marx on 8 August 1941 in Loksa Bay, Tallinn. On 28 August the Ju 88s had more success when KG 77 and KGr 806 sank the 2,026 grt steamer Vironia, the 2,317 grt Lucerne, the 1,423 Atis Kronvalds and the ice breaker Krisjanis Valdemars (2,250 grt). The rest of the Soviet "fleet", were forced to change course. This took them through a heavily mined area. As a result, 21 Soviet warships, including five destroyers, struck mines and sank. On 29 August, the Ju 88s accounted for the transport ships Vtoraya Pyatiletka (3,974 grt), Kalpaks (2,190 grt) and Leningradsovet (1,270 grt) sunk. Furthermore, the ships Ivan Papanin, Saule, Kazakhstan and the Serp i Molot were damaged. Some 5,000 Soviet soldiers were lost. KG 77 was largely withdrawn from Russia, although I./KG 77 continued to operate on the Eastern Front until July 1942, supporting German forces during Operation Seydlitz and the Second Battle of Kharkov. I./KG 77 was reformed as I./KG 6 on 31 August 1942, after the unit ceased operations over Great Britain. However I./KG 77 was reformed again on 10 September 1942. The Kampfgeschwader carried out operations in the Mediterranean and North Africa until June 1943, taking part in the Siege of Malta and the Second Battle of El Alamein. The unit also resisted the Allied invasion of Sicily, probably destroying the U.S. Liberty ship SS Robert Rowan on 11 July. KG 77 made constant night attacks against Allied Naval forces from 10 July - 25 August 1943. After retraining naval attack methods, the unit could now operate with effective torpedo methods. I./KG 77 operated from Salon in southern France from March - July 1944, attacking American convoys of the coast of Algeria. KG 77's primary responsibility was anti-shipping in the English Channel. Committed under the command of Luftflotte 3, KG 77 supported the German Army, although at night to avoid overwhelming Allied air superiority forces, until 1 September 1944 (Wikipedia)
KGR806 Country : Germany Fate : Kampfgruppe 806 from 11.39. On 1.9.42 redesignated III./KG54 Click the name above to see prints featuring aircraft of KGR806	KGR806 Known as Kampfgruppe 806 from 11.39. On 1.9.42 redesignated III./KG54: Stab/KGr.806 became Stab III./KG54 1./KGr.806 became 7./KG54 2./KGr.806 became 8./KG54 3./KGr.806 became 9./KG54 commanded by Obstlt Wolfgang von Wild, 10.39 - 3.7.40 Obstlt Hans Emig, 4.41 - 28.6.41 Major Hartwig, 6.41 - 7.41 and Major Richard Linke, 7.41 - 9.42 22.10.39 - 12.39 Dievenow* He 60, He 114, He 111J ?12.39- 21.3.40 Uetersen He 111J 21.3.40 - 5.4.40 Varelbusch He 111J 5.4.40 - 7.40 Uetersen He 111J, Ju 88A 7.40 - 11.9.40 Nantes Ju 88A 11.9.40 - 4.6.41 Caen-Carpiquet Ju 88A 4.6.41 - 8.41 Prowehren* Fl. FÃ¼. Ostsee Ju 88A 8.41 - 27.10.41 Riga Fl. FÃ¼. Ostsee Ju 88A 27.10.41 - 11.41 Siwerskaja Ju 88A 11.41 - 12.41 Uetersen Ju 88A 12.41 - 1.9.42 Catania II. Fliegerkorps Ju 88A

Last edited : 22:53, December 14, 2017
Last editor : HMS

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