1942-06-02 Halifax
1942-06-02, Halifax W1143, Haringvliet near Hellevoetsluis
Halifax W1143 Information
Type Halifax
Serial Number W1143
Squadron 78
X1D EY-F
Operation Essen
Date 1 1st June 1942
Date 2 2nd June 1942
Mission
W1143 was one of three No.78 Sqdn Halifaxes lost on this operation. See: R9364; W7698, and one of three No.10 Sqdn Halifaxes and crews lost on the same operation. See: L9623; W1098
Airborne from Leeming borrowed by No.10 Sqdn and crewed by No.10 Sqdn personnel.
Cause of loss not established. Crashed in the Haringvllet off Hellevoetsluis (Zuid Holland), 25 km SW of Rotterdam. P/O Clothier is buried in Crooswijk General Cemetery; the rest of those killed are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
1/2 June 1942
Essen
This was the second raid carried out by the 'Thousand Force' although the full 1,000 aircraft could not be provided on this night. 956 aircraft were dispatched: 545 Wellingtons, 127 Halifaxes, 77 Stirlings, 74 Lancasters, 71 Hampdens, 33 Manchesters and 29 Whitleys.
The plan was similar to the recent raid on Cologne except that many more flares were dropped by the raid leaders, Wellingtons of 3 Group. Crews experienced great difficulty in finding the target; the ground was covered either by haze or a layer of low cloud. Bombing was very scattered.
Essen reports only 11 houses destroyed and 184 damaged, mostly in the south of the city, and one prisoner of war working camp burnt out. Casualties were 15 people killed and 91 injured. Bombs also fell on at least 11 other towns in or near the Ruhr. Particularly heavy bombing occurred in Oberhausen with 83 people killed, Duisburg with 52 killed, and Mülheim with 15 killed.
31 bombers were lost: 15 Wellingtons, 8 Halifaxes, 4 Lancasters, 1 Hampden, 1 Manchester, 1 Stirling, 1 Whitley. This was 3.2 per cent of the force dispatched.
Intruders: 48 Blenheims to German airfields. 10 aircraft made attacks; 3 were lost. Fighter and Army Co-Operation Command aircraft were also operating.
A day later Essen was the target again.
2 June 1942
2/3 June 1942
Essen
195 aircraft - 97 Wellingtons, 38 Halifaxes, 27 Lancasters, 21 Stirlings, 12 Hampdens. 14 aircraft - 7 Wellingtons, 2 Halifaxes, 2 Lancasters, 2 Stirlings, 1 Hampden - lost.
This attack was also widely scattered. Essen records only 3 high-explosive and 300 incendiary bombs in the city, with no serious damage or casualties.
Minor Operations: 6 Wellingtons to Dieppe, 11 aircraft minelaying off Lorient and St Nazaire, 4 Hampdens on leaflet flights to France. 1 Hampden minelayer was lost.
http://www.raf.mod.uk/bombercommand/jun42.html
Raid on Essen during the night (June 1-2) by 1036 RAF bombers. 35 fail to return. The success of the raid is questionable.
fielding 956 bombers against the industrial town of Essen. Due to the target-acquisition problems endemic to the Ruhr valley, relatively little damage was done.
Crash
Further Information
"Serial Range W1141 - W1190. 50 Halifax Mk.11. Part of a batch of 181 HP59 Halifax Mk.11. W1002-W1021; W1035- W1067; W1090-W1117; W1141-1190; W1211-W1253; W1270-W12776. Delivered by English Electric Co (Salmesbury & Preston) between 24May42 and 8Jul42.
From the trilogy 'For Your Tomorrow - A record of New Zealanders who have died while serving with the RNZAF and Allied Air Services since 1915' (Volume One: Fates 1915-1942):
"Mon 1/Tue 2 Jun 1942
Bomber Command
Raid on Essen, Germany (by 956 aircraft - 34 lost)...10 Squadron, RAF (Leeming, Yorkshire - 4 Group)
Halifax II W1143/F - on same raid as the above and brought down over the Netherlands, crashing into the Haringvliet off Hellevoetsluis, 25km SW of Rotterdam. An RAF Sgt survived, being the only one to successfully bale out before the Halifax hit the water. The captain’s body was later recovered and is buried at Rotterdam, but the five others who died are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
The other crew members were:
Sgt W R Forbes - PoW
Flt Sgt J S Clapham - +
Sgt J Simpson - +
Sgt O A Mireau, RCAF - +
Flt Sgt T A G Morris - +
Halifax W1143 belonged to Croft-based 78 Sqn but had been loaned to 10 Sqn for this raid.
Note that the crew were members of 78 Sqn whereas the aircraft belonged to 10 Sqn.
via: http://pages.quicksilver.net.nz/l.rwilloughby/WWII/WWII_RNZAF/B-C-1942/clothier-henry-garfield.html
The following statement was recorded at the end of the war from W.R.Forbes.
"As a result of enemy action our aircraft crashed into the sea, the circumstances being such that I was the only member of the crew able to bale out in time. As I was going down I saw the machine crash into the sea, but I did not see anyone else leave it, and consider it highly improbably that anyone else succeeded in getting out. I was later called on to identify the body of P/O Clothier, and was informed by a German officer that the remaining members of my crew were trapped in the aircraft. The body of Pilot Officer Clothier was taken to Rotterdam, where I was told that he would be buried."
W.R.Forbes.
Crew
P/O H.G.Clothier RNZAF KIA (Henry Garfield)
Sgt W.R.Forbes PoW
F/O J.R.F.Ganderton RNZAF KIA
F/S J.S.Clapham KIA
Sgt J.Simpson KIA
Sgt A.O.Mireau RCAF KIA (Albert Onide)
F/S T.A.G.Morris KIA
Sgt W.R.Forbes was interned in Camps L3/L6/357, PoW No.499 "
Captain: NZ404442 Plt Off Henry Garfield CLOTHIER, RNZAF - Age 26. 374hrs. 8th op.
Navigator: NZ403599 Fg Off John Raymond Francis GANDERTON, RNZAF - Age 26. 328hrs. 8th op."
4. Aircraft W1143 was carrying the identification letters EY-F when it was lost on 2nd. June 1942 : It had been borrowed from 78 Squadron by 10 Squadron and took off from Leeming with a full crew of 10 Squadron men.
Henry Garfield Clothier
SERVICE No.
RANK
SURNAME
FIRST NAMES/INITIALS
SQUADRON
AIRCRAFT
NEXT OF KIN
BORN
DIED
BURIED
GRAVE/MEMORIAL REFERENCE
MEDALS AND CLASPS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
NZ-404442
Pilot Officer, Captain on this Aircraft
Clothier
Henry Garfield
No.10 R.A.F.
Halifax Bomber II W1143/F
Edward & Lucy Maud Clothier, Kaiapoi, Eyre County, Canterbury, New Zealand
08th October 1915
02nd June 1942 Haringvliet, Netherlands, 374hrs Flying, 8th Operation, Age 26yrs
Rotterdam Crooswijk General Cemetery, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands
Plot LL. Row 2. Grave 18.
1939-1945 Star; Aircrew Europe Star; War Medal 1939-1945; New Zealand War Medal
Aircraft part of raid over Essen, Germany and shot down by enemy night-fighter. Thankyou Brian Spear for birth date.
Copyright © 2003-2007 New Zealand's Roll of Honour
John Raymond Francis Ganderton
SERVICE No.
RANK
SURNAME
FIRST NAMES/INITIALS
SQUADRON
AIRCRAFT
NEXT OF KIN
BORN
DIED
GRAVE/MEMORIAL REFERENCE
MEDALS AND CLASPS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
NZ-403599
Flying Officer, Navigator on this Aircraft
Ganderton
John Raymond Francis
No.10 R.A.F.
Halifax Bomber II W1143/F
Alfred Arthur & Elizabeth Catherine Ganderton, Palmerston North, Manawatu, Wellington, New Zealand.
.
02nd June 1942 Haringvliet, Netherlands
Runnymede Memorial Panel 114 Surrey, England
1939-1945 Star; Aircrew Europe Star; War Medal 1939-1945; New Zealand War Medal
Aircraft part of Raid over Essen, Germany.
Copyright © 2003-2007 New Zealand's Roll of Honour
Unit
No. 78 Squadron RAF
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
No. 78 Squadron RAF
Active
Role
Garrison/HQ
Motto
Equipment
1916-1918
1936-1954
1956-1971
1986-
Battlefield Support Helicopter
"Nemo non paratus" (Nobody unprepared)
Insignia
Identification
symbol
A heraldic tiger
History
No. 78 Squadron was formed as part of the Royal Flying Corps on 1 November 1916 for home defence at Harrietsham and tasked with protecting the southern English coast. It was originally equipped with obsolescent BE2 and more modern BE12 fighters. On the night of 25 September 1917 a Captain Bell of the squadron encountered a German Gotha and attacked it over Joyce Green. John Rawlings, writing in Fighter Squadrons of the Royal Air Force (1969), stated that 'it was believed that he damaged it for one of the German raiders failed to return that night, being lost at sea.' The squadron received Sopwith 1½ Strutters in late 1917, followed by Sopwith Camels in mid-1918. It arrived at Sutton's Farm, under the command of Major Cuthbert Rowden, in September 1917 and was there until December 1919, with a detachment at Biggin Hill. The squadron disbanded on 31 December 1919 following the Armistice.
During the buildup of the RAF in the period before the World War II, No. 78 Squadron was reformed at RAF Boscombe Down on 1 November 1936, twenty-two years after it was first formed, by redesignating a flight of No. 10 Squadron. In July 1939 it was equipped with Armstrong Whitworth Whitley medium bombers, and on the outbreak of war was designated as a training squadron and moved to RAF Linton-on-Ouse. From September 1939 to April 1941, however, Whitley Mk V bombers were flown by No. 78 for night operations from the bases at RAF Disforth and RAF Linton-on-Ouse. In July 1940 it was returned to front-line duties, and served as a full-time night bomber squadron of RAF Bomber Command, being re-equipped with Handley Page Halifax heavy bombers in early 1942 flying from Breighton Airfield in East Yorkshire
In May 1945 it was transferred into Transport Command, re-equipping with Dakotas in July and moving to the Middle East in September. It remained active in the post-war period as a transport squadron, converting to Valettas in 1950, before being disbanded on 30 September 1954.
The squadron was again reformed in April 1956 at Aden, operating Pioneer and later Twin Pioneer light transport aircraft. In 1965 these were transferred to No. 21 Squadron and the squadron converted to a helicopter unit operating Wessexes; it remained in this role until being disbanded in 1971.
Aircraft
March 1942-January 1944: Handley Page Halifax B.Mk II
Location
20 October 1941-10 June 1942: Croft
Cause of crash
Flakkommandeur Vlissingen 03.40hr.
(Hellevoetsluis) meldet: Eine feindliche viermotorige Maschine (Halifax) überfliegt Hellevoetsluis und wird mit 4 cm, 3,7 cm und 2 cm Waffen bekämpft! Die Maschine erhält mehrere Treffer in den rechten inneren Motor und stürzt vor Hellevoetsluis ins Wasser ab.
Nach Aussagen des einzigen Überlebenden der Flugzeugbesatzung handelt es sich um eine Maschine, die in Essen beschossen wurde und einen Ausfall des rechten äußeren Motors hatte. Die Maschine kreiste längere Zeit bei und über Hellevoetsluis in der Absicht notzulanden!
Translation:
Hellevoetsluis reports; one enemy four engined machine (Halifax) flies over Hellevoetsluis and is fired upon by 4 cm., 3,7cm. and 2 cm. FLAK. The aircraft is hit several times in the right inside engine and crashes in the water in front of Hellevoetsluis.
Accoording to statements by the only survivor of the crew the plane was hit over Essen causing the right outside engine to stop working. The plane circled Hellevoetsluis several times in an attempt to make an emergency landing.
Possibly these claims are related to this crash as well:
Sayn-Wittgenstein, Heinrich Prinz zu Maj
8/14/1916 Kopenhagen Dänemark 83 KG-51 (5/40), KG-1 (6/41), Kdr IV/NJG-5 (12/42), NJG-100, II/NJG-3, Kdr NJG-4, Kdr NJG-2 He 111(KG-51), Do 17Z(NJG-2), Ju 88C(NJG-3), Bf 110(NJG-5), Ju 88C-6 #750467 "R4 + XM"(lost 1/44) RK(10/2/42)-EL(8/31/43)-S(1/23/44), DK-G(9/7/42), EP(5/19/41), EK 1 & 2,
NJ Oper.Clasp w/"300" KIA the night of 21-22 January, 1944 in Ju 88C-6, when he was Kdr NJG-2, by an English Night Fighter during a raid on Magdeburg, after downing five enemy AC himself.
150 missions against ground targets while in KG-1 & KG-51 in Russia. 29 night victories in Russia.
Three DB-3's and a Boston the night of 19-20 July, 1943.
His first known Soviet night victory, two DB-3's on 17 April, 1943. A DB-3 on 23 April, 1943.
Another Soviet, a B-25 SE of Schweindl (sic) on the night of 23-24 April, 1943.
A Soviet DB-3 the night of 11-12 July, 1943.
Seven Soviet victories on the night of 20-21 July, 1943.
His 1st known western victory came on 9 May, 1942, four months after joining NJG-2.
His stay in the west was brief, and he returned to Russia in May 1943 downing a DB-3 SE of Eydklau on 1 May, 1943. He was Kdr JG-100 in August, 1943.
Numerous multiple victory nights including 5 AC on 21 January, 1944. His R/O in IV/NJG-5 (6/43) was Herbert Kümmritz. In II/NJG-3 & NJG-2, it was Fw Friedrich Ostheimer (survived) and mech. Kurt Matzuleit.
Heinrich's body was found in a woods near Stendal. Buried at the German War Cemetery at Ysselsteyn, Holland.
Heinrich Alexander Ludwig Peter Prinz zu Sayn-Wittgenstein (14 August 1916 – 21 January 1944) was a German Luftwaffe night fighter flying ace of aristocratic descent during World War II. A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat.[1] At the time of his death was the highest scoring night fighter pilot in the Luftwaffe and still the third highest by the end of World War II.
Personal life
Heinrich Prinz zu Sayn-Wittgenstein was born on 14 August 1916 in Copenhagen, Denmark as a member of the aristocratic family Sayn-Wittgenstein. He was the second of three sons of Gustav Alexander Prince zu Sayn-Wittgenstein (1880–1953) and his wife Walburga Baroness von Friesen (1885–1970). His brother Ludwig was older and Alexander younger. Sayn-Wittgenstein was a descendant of Russian Field Marshal Prince Peter Khristianovich zu Sayn-Wittgenstein Berleburg who was a prominent commander in the Imperial Russian Army during the Napoleonic wars.
Sayn-Wittgenstein attended numerous schools in numerous locations. This included a private tuition on Lake Geneva, a boarding school in Neubeuern in Upper Bavaria, a brief stay at Davos in Switzerland, a private school in Montreux. He received his Abitur from the Realgymnasium, a higher education facility, in Freiburg im Breisgau.
He joined the Hitler Youth on 12 April 1932 in Freiburg. On 15 January 1933 he became a Kameradschaftsführer (group leader). From Easter 1933 until fall of 1933 he led the group's military sports activities as a Wehrsportleiter. He then became head of the instruction unit (Ausbildungsschar) until May 1934. From June 1934 he led the work unit 2/1/113 (Gefolgschaft) and received further pre-military sports training at the different camps of the unit 113 (Bann) and at the Regional Leaders' School (Gebietsführerschule).[2]
Military career
His father bought him an aircraft, when, as a boy, he expressed an interest in flying. Heinrich was refused entry into the Luftwaffe, but after the Battle of Britain, he was accepted into the Luftwaffe when he reapplied in late 1940.
Heinrich served from mid-1941 until his death in 1944. Zu Sayn-Wittgenstein was an exponent of the Ju 88C-6 nightfighter; at one point he was the Gruppenkommander of part of NJG 5 on the Eastern Front, using two aircraft equipped with FuG 202 Lichtenstein B/C or FuG 212 Lichtenstein C-1: C9+AE and a streamlined, stripped aircraft, C9+DE.
Tatjana Metternich reported in her memoirs that Wittgenstein attempted to kill Hitler at the occasion of a reception receiving his Knight's Cross in 1943. He said," I am not married, I have no children - I am expendable. He will receive me personally. Who else among us can ever get as near to him?" Prior to the reception, however, he was relieved of his pistol.
He was killed on January 21, 1944, after shooting down four Royal Air Force (RAF) bombers, when his aircraft R4+XM, an aircraft taken over when his own was under repair, was hit either by return fire or an RAF nightfighter; he ordered his crew to bail out, which they did. However, the aircraft hit hard and broke up on landing and he was apparently thrown clear, being killed by the impact. His score at that time was 83 victories, on both Eastern (29 Soviet) and Western fronts (54). He was posthumously awarded the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. Heinrich zu Sayn-Wittgenstein was buried on 29 January 1944 on the Geschwader cemetery at the Deelen Air Base. His earthly remains were re-interred in 1948. He is now resting next to Prinz Egmont zur Lippe-Weißenfeld at Ysselsteyn in the Netherlands.
Awards
Wound Badge in Black
Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe for Bomber Pilots in Gold
Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe for Night Fighter Pilots in Gold
Ehrenpokal der Luftwaffe (15 September 1941)
Combined Pilots-Observation Badge
German Cross in Gold on 21 August 1942 as Oberleutnant in the 6./NJG 2
Iron Cross (1939) 2nd and 1st class
Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords
Knight's Cross on 7 October 1942 as Hauptmann and Staffelkapitän of the 9./NJG 2
290th Oak Leaves on 31 August 1943 and Hauptmann and Gruppenkommandeur of the IV./NJG 5
44th Swords on 23 January 1944 (posthumously) as Major and Geschwaderkommodore of NJG 2
Mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht
Reference in the Wehrmachtbericht
Date
25 January 1944
Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording
Der Kommodore eines Nachtjagdgeschwaders Major Prinz zu Sayn-Wittgenstein fand im nächtlichen Kampf gegen feindliche Terrorflieger bei seinem 83. Nachtjagdsieg nach Vernichtung von fünf britischen Bombern den Heldentod. Der Führer ehrte den gefallen Nachtjäger durch Verleihung des Eichenlaubs mit Schwertern zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes. Mit ihm verliert die deutsche Luftwaffe einen ihrer hervorragendsten Nachtjagdflieger.[
Direct English translation
The commodore of a night fighter wing Major Prince zu Sayn-Wittgenstein found, engaged in combat with enemy terror fliers, after achieving his 83rd nocturnal aerial victory, after destruction of five British bombers, a heroes death. The Führer honored the fallen night fighter with the presentation of the Oak Leaves with Swords to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. With him the Luftwaffe loses one of their most outstanding night fighter pilots.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ju 88C-6 - Hptm. Prinz zu Sayn-Wittgenstein, Gruppenkommandeur IV./ NJG 5 - Leipheim, 1943
Simon, Erich Maj
8 Erg/NJG-2 (5/42), Stab III/NJG-2, Kdr IV/NJG-3 (11/42)
Ju 88C-1 Wk# 360286 "D5 + EV" (75% dam 3/43),
Ju 88C-6 Wk# 360372 "D5 + CF" (lost 10/43)
EP, EK 1 & 2, DRL Sports Badge, Wound Badge,
Night Fighter Operational Clasp KIA 7/8 October, 1943 while attacking a Stirling, EF 140, over the sea, 15 km north of Tversted, off Skagerak Denmark. The Ju 88 was seen to take hits and then caught fire, turning away, and crashed into the sea below, burning for some time. Only Mechanic Ogefr Erwin Schröder survived by bailing and entering his dinghy. Group Kdr Simon and R/O Uffz Hans Vogel went down with the AC (Air War over Denmark).
WIC 1 March, 1943 when, on a non-operational flight, his right engine caught fire and he made an emergency landing on the beach area north of Blaavand Denmark. He and Mech Fw Erwin Schröder were taken to a hospital in Esbjerg for treatment. R/O Uffz Hugo Borgbömer was killed and buried in the Fovrfelt Cemetery on 4 March, 1943 (Source: Air War over Denmark).
One known victory, a Stirling on 20 May, 1942. Another,
a Wellington on 31 May, 1942. Two victories on 2 June, 1942;
a Halifax and
a Wellington. Two more victories on 9 June, 1942;
a Halifax and
a B-24. Another,
a Blenheim on 26 June, 1942.
A Stirling on 27 August, 1942. Boiten 10 victories. Magnus, victory count may be as high as 17.
158 SQUADRON, ESSEN, 1st JUNE 1942.
The 2nd Thousand Bomber Raid on Germany.
158 Squadron Op's Records Extracts(© Ref:-PRO, AIR27/1048) (Form 540)
Operations Summary
1/6/42. Ops Order No. 98. Operations ordered for seven crews.
Of the above crews six took off for a raid upon Krupp's Works at Essen. Considerable haze and large fires prevented accurate bombing but undoutedly Krupp's Works were hit.
Weather: - Fair or Fine becoming cloudy with chance of slight rain. Visibilty: - 10 - 20 Miles becoming 2 - 6 miles this afternoon.
Sorties Reports.
Take off: - 23.20 hours. AIRCRAFT, WELLINGTON Mk II. "P" - Serial Number: - W.5564.
CREW: -
Flight Sergeant: - PHILLIPS....: - Captain.
Sergeant.........: - BRENNAN..: - Bomb Aimer/Navigator/Observer.
Sergeant.........: - EVERSHED.: - 1st Wireless Operator.
Sergeant.........: - SEYMOUR..: - 2nd Wireless Operator.
Sergeant.........: - RAE..............: - Rear Gunner.
MISSION REPORT: - Target - ESSEN. Attack carried out from 13,500 feet with 6 S.B.C. (90 x 40) and 3 S.B.C. (8 x 30). Essen was identified but target was not in view when bombs were dropped owing to cloud and haze. Several fires were seen through cloud. One fire seen to increase greatly after bombs were dropped.
Time of attack 01.22 hours. Camera. Time home 04.17 hours.
Raid No.182 Take off: - 23.25 hours. AIRCRAFT, WELLINGTON Mk II. "J" - Serial Number: - Z.8429.
CREW: -
Flight Sergeant....: - TAIT................: - Captain.
Squadron Leader: - SKEET.............: - 2nd Pilot.("A" Flight Commander).
Flight Lieutenant..: - SOMERVILLE: - Bomb Aimer/Navigator/Observer.
Flight Sergeant....: - BECK..............: - 1st Wireless Operator.
Sergeant.............: - HOOPER.........: - 2nd Wireless Operator.
Sergeant.............: - DAVISON.......: - Rear Gunner.
MISSION REPORT: - Target - ESSEN. Attack carried out from 13,000 feet with 1 x 4,000 lb bomb. Target was identified and bomb was dropped on edge of fires which were already burning. These were thought to be at the South End of Krupp's Works. Burst was not seen.
Time of attack 01.32 hours. Camera. Time home 04.23 hours.
Raid No. 183. Take off: - 23.29 hours. AIRCRAFT, WELLINGTON Mk II. "Z" - Serial Number: - Z.8585.
CREW: -
Sergeant.....: - WEBB.................: - Captain.
Sergeant.....: - WINCH..............: - 2nd Pilot.
Sergeant.....: - PALMER(473)....: - Bomb Aimer/Navigator/Observer.
Sergeant.....: - HUDDLESS........: - 1st Wireless Operator.
Sergeant.....: - BRIDGEWATER: - 2nd Wireless Operator.
Pilot Officer: - HANSON...........: - Rear Gunner.
MISSION REPORT: - Target - ESSEN. (Possible). Attack carried out from 14,000 feet with 6 S.B.C.(90 x 40), 3 S.B.C.(8 x 30). Target was not identified owing to 10/10ths cloud. A/C bombed on ETA. Results were not observed but one fire was started.
Time of attack 01.29 hours. Camera. Time home 04.35 hours.
Raid No. 186. Take off: - 23.36 hours. AIRCRAFT, WELLINGTON Mk II. "K" - Serial Number: - Z.8523.
CREW: -
Sergeant: - CHAMBERS: - Captain.
Sergeant: - THOMAS.....: - Bomb Aimer/Navigator/Observer.
Sergeant: - LISTER.........: - 1st Wireless Operator.
Sergeant: - PALM...........: - A/Gunner.
Sergeant: - REDLER.......: - A/Gunner.
MISSION REPORT: - Target - ESSEN. Attack carried out from 10,500 feet with 1 x 4,000lb bomb. Essen itself was seen but results were not observed.
Time of attack 01.26 hours. Camera. Time home 03.50 hours.
Raid No. 187. Take off: - 23.38 hours. AIRCRAFT, WELLINGTON Mk II. "G" - Serial Number: - W.5424.
CREW: -
Sergeant.....: - WHITE...........: - Captain.
Pilot Officer: - JOHNSTONE: - Bomb Aimer/Navigator/Observer.
Sergeant.....: - MOGG...........: - 1st Wireless Operator.
Sergeant.....: - SHEARER......: - 2nd Wireless Operator.
Pilot Officer: - CURTIS..........: - A/Gunner.
MISSION REPORT: - Target - ESSEN. Attack carried out from 12,500 feet with 1 x 4,000 lb bomb. Target was not definitely located but built up areas were clearly seen in light of Flares. Burst of bomb not identified owing to fires and other bursts.
Weather: - Scattered low cloud.
Time of attack 01.30 hours. Camera. Time home 04.06 hours.
Raid No.184. A/C - Wellington "A" Z.8400 - (P/O. AGUTTER, Captain) did not start owing to rear turret trouble.
http://webspace.mypostoffice.co.uk/~michaelskeet/royskeetww2/essen.html
Description: Walls of houses of Wesel still stand, as do the churches, but a great part of the town was destroyed when the German commander forced the Allied troops to fight their way street by street through the ruins. Germany, 1945
Source: US Archiv ARCWEB ARC Identifier: 535793
Post-Work: User:W.wolny
Licence: Public Domain
Nachtjagdgeschwader 2
Geschwaderkommodoren:
Obstlt Karl Hülshoff, 1.11.41 - 31.12.43
Maj Heinrich Prince zu Sayn-Wittgenstein, 1.1.44 - 21.1.44
Oberst Günther Radusch, 4.2.44 - 11.11.44
Maj Paul Semrau, 12.11.44 - 8.2.45
Obstlt Wolfgang Thimmig, 8.2.45 - 5.5.45
Stab:
Formed 1.11.41 in Gilze Rijen.
Bases:
I. Gruppe:
Gruppenkommandeure:
Hptm Karl-Heinrich Heyse, 1.9.40 - 23.11.40
Maj Karl Hülshoff, 24.11.40 - 31.10.41
Maj Erich Jung, 1.11.41 - 12.43
Hptm Franz Buschmann, 12.43 - 1.44
Hptm Albert Schulz, 1.44 - 31.1.44
Hptm Wolfgang von Niebelschütz, 31.1.44 - 20.2.44
Hptm Ernst Zechlin, 20.2.44 - 12.5.44
Hptm Gerhard Rath, 12.5.44 - 8.5.45
Formed 1.9.40 at Gilze-Rijen from II./NJG1 with:
Stab I./NJG2 from Stab II./NJG1
1./NJG2 from 4./NJG1 with Ju 88C-1
2./NJG2 from 5./NJG1 with Do 17Z-7/10
3./NJG2 from 6./NJG1 with Ju 88C-2
On 1.10.42 1./NJG2 was redesignated 5./NJG2, and a new 1./NJG2 was reformed from the rest of I./NJG2.
In 11.42 1./NJG2 was redesignated 10./NJG3, and a new 1./NJG2 was reformed from the rest of I./NJG2.
In 28.8.43 2./NJG2 was redesignated 6./NJG2, and a new 2./NJG2 was reformed from the rest of I./NJG2.
Bases:
* 2./NJG2 moved to Benghazi on 17.11.41 (Fl. Fü. Afrika), but returned to Catania 28.11.41
** 2. and 3./NJG2 was based at Benghazi, 1.42 - 20.3.42; From 4.42 I./NJG2 was scattered all over the Mediterranean, with detachments at Benina, Berca, Derna, Benghasi, El Quasaba and Kastelli/Crete. Main base was still Catania.
*** 2./NJG2 was based at Gilze Rijen
II. Gruppe:
Gruppenkommandeure:
Maj Helmut Lent, 1.11.41 - 1.10.42
Hptm Herbert Bönsch, 2.10.42 - 12.42
Hptm Dr. Horst Patuschka, 3.12.42 - 6.3.43
Hptm Herbert Sewing, 7.3.43 - 12.43
Maj Heinrich Prince zu Sayn-Wittgenstein, 12.43 - 1.1.44
Maj Paul Semrau, 1.1.44 - 1.11.44
Hptm Heinz-Horst Hissbach, 1.11.44 - 14.4.45
Hptm Franz Brinkhaus, 15.4.45 - 8.5.45
4./NJG2 was formed 11.40 in Gilze Rijen from 1./ZG2. In 11.41 the staffel moved to Catania, and would remain there until 25.2.42 (attached to I./NJG2 11.40 - 2.42), when it transferred back to Leeuwarden and joined II./NJG2.
Stab II./NJG2 was formed 1.11.41 in Leeuwarden with:
Stab II./NJG2 new
4./NJG2 (attached to I./NJG2 until 25.2.42)
5./NJG2 from 4./NJG1
6./NJG2 new
On 1.10.42 redesignated IV./NJG1:
Stab II./NJG2 became Stab IV./NJG1
4./NJG2 became 2./NJG3
5./NJG2 became 11./NJG2
6./NJG2 became 12./NJG1
Reformed 1.10.42 at Gilze Rijen from III./NJG2 with:
Stab II./NJG2 from Stab III./NJG2
4./NJG2 from 7./NJG2
5./NJG2 from 1./NJG2
6./NJG2 was formed 28.8.43 from 2./NJG2.
Bases:
* 4./NJG2 operated Do 17Z until early 1942.
III. Gruppe:
Gruppenkommandeure:
Hptm Herbert Bönsch, 3.4.42 - 1.8.42
Maj Paul Semrau, 8.43 - 1.1.44
Maj Berthold Ney, 1.1.44 - 11.44
Hptm Heinz Ferger, 11.44 - 10.4.45
Hptm Hans-Hermann Merker, 11.4.45 - 8.5.45
Formed 3.42 in Gilze Rijen with new crews:
Stab III and 7./NJG2 in 3.42
8./NJG2 in 5.42
9./NJG2 in 6.42
In 7.42 7./NJG2 moved to Grove (Karup).
On 1.10.42 redesignated II./NJG2:
Stab III./NJG2 became Stab II./NJG2
7./NJG2 became 4./NJG2
8./NJG2 became 10./NJG1
9./NJG2 became 11./NJG3
Reformed 15.8.43 in Stuttgart/Nellingen from V./NJG6 with:
Stab III./NJG2 from Stab V./NJG6
7./NJG2 from 13./NJG6
8./NJG2 from 14./NJG6
9./NJG2 from 15./NJG6
In 9.44 9./NJG2 absorbed Luftbeobachtungsstaffel 3. On 30.10.44 III./NJG2 was redesignated IV./NJG3:
Stab III./NJG2 became Stab IV./NJG3
7./NJG2 became 10./NJG3
8./NJG2 became 11./NJG3
9./NJG2 became 12./NJG3
while a new III./NJG2 was formed from the old IV./NJG3 with:
Stab III./NJG2 from Stab IV./NJG3
7./NJG2 from 10./NJG3
8./NJG2 from 11./NJG3
9./NJG2 from 12./NJG3
Bases:
IV. Gruppe:
Gruppenkommandeur:
Hptm Bengsch, 10.44 - 2.45
Formed 30.10.44 at Münster-Handorf from I./NJG7 with:
Stab IV./NJG2 from Stab I./NJG7
10./NJG2 from 1./NJG7
11./NJG2 from 2./NJG7
12./NJG2 from 3./NJG7
On 23.2.45 redesignated NSGr.30:
Stab IV./NJG2 became Stab/NSGr.30
10./NJG2 became 1./NSGr.30
11./NJG2 became 2./NSGr.30
12./NJG2 became 3./NSGr.30
Bases:
V. Gruppe:
Gruppenkommandeur:
Maj Albert Schreiweis, 1.12.44 - 29.4.45
Formed 1.12.44 from III./KG2 with:
Stab V./NJG2 from Stab III./KG2
13./NJG2 from 7./KG2
14./NJG2 from 8./KG2
15./NJG2 from 9./KG2
Disbanded 29.4.45.
Bases:
Ergänzungsstaffel:
Staffelkapitäne:
?
Hptm Albrecht Wolter, 6.7.42 - 14.10.43
Formed 10.40 in Gilze Rijen (only officially from 8.41). Disbanded 14.10.43.
Bases:
Schulstaffel:
Formed 7.10.44 in Parchim from 5./NJG2.
In 12.44 redesignated 16./NJG2, but on 1.1.45 became Stabsstaffel/NJG2.
Bases:
© 1997-2003 Michael Holm
http://www.ww2.dk/air/njagd/njg2.htm