Kampfgeschwader 2 soldbuch

[bsmith56]

I picked up this book a while back but I am finally getting around to doing some research and could use a little help.

It is named to Hans Winter born on December 31st, 1921 and he entered service when he was 18. The soldbuch is the light blue Luftwaffe variant which has a slightly different design to it. The book also has a homemade removable cover made out of a black plastic/fabric material.

[bsmith56]

Pages 2-3

[bsmith56]

As you can see, he was trained as a observer/bomber in various Kampfschulgeschwader and Bombenschutzenschule units for the first few years of his service. On April 1st, 1942 he was sent to IV./KG 2, 12th Staffel and a few months later transferred to III./KG 2, 9th Staffel. KG 2 was primarily flying Do 217 bombers at this point in the war.

[bsmith56]

A couple of pages about pay.

[bsmith56]

A few interesting additions in the back page.

[bsmith56]

The last date in the book is August, 21st 1942 (21.8.42), which was just a few days after the Dieppe Raid which KG 2 was active in. There was never a picture in the book, the book was never closed out, and he was never awarded anything. I don't think this guy was a ground crew, seeing all the schooling units he was in, but I am having a tough time finding out what happened to him. If he was an observer in a plane I can't find any records of him missing.

Any opinions or information would be appreciated. There are more entries in the book but I only posted the ones I felt would be of use.

Thanks!

[Ian Jewison]

Brandon,

Here's what I have on my laptop......not checked the KG 2 book yet. He and his crew were missing in action:

Basic Loss Data
28.08.1942 III./K.G.2, Luftflotte 3. Location and cause unknown

Aircraft
Dornier Do 217 E-4 WNr. 4273 U5 + FT 100%

Crew
Uffz. Freimüller, Kurt. F. Verm
Gefr. Winter, Hans. B. Verm
Uffz. Franke, Arthur. Bf. Verm
Gefr. Bröse, Gerhard. Bm. Verm

/Ian

[Ian Jewison]

According to KG 2 book:

On the night of 28.1942 aircraft departed Arnhem-Deelen at 22:10 for a bombing raid over Sunderland, England. Uffz. Freimüller and his crew were lost over Great Yarmouth.

The Blitz then and now simply records the loss of two aircraft from KG 2 on a raid on the north-east coast.

/Ian

[bsmith56]

Ian,
This is perfect. I somewhat suspected he was MIA, but without any evidence to back it up I was hesitant conclude it.

Since it was a night raid I wonder if their plane may have been downed over the ocean and no trace of the plane was found.

Thank you very much Ian!

[Ian Jewison]

According to KG 2 book:

On the night of 28.1942 aircraft departed Arnhem-Deelen at 22:10 for a bombing raid over Sunderland, England. Uffz. Freimüller and his crew were lost over Great Yarmouth.

Apologies read that wrong.....the target was actually Great Yarmouth and loss location is unknown.....another target on the night was Sunderland.

He is not listed in the Vermisstenbildliste however not checked the rest of the crew yet.

FP Nr. 40161 - IV. Gruppe Kampf-Geschwader 2

Paper insert to page 1 is signed by Hptm. Erik Freiherr von Loudon (EP, DKiG) as Staka 12/KG 2.


/Ian

[JUNGCO]

Ian, saw this and dug out a Luftwaffe Soldbuch I have that belonged to a Franz Mai 15.9.21, who was a member of 5 staffel/ K.G.2. His Soldbuch also ends somewhere in August 42. He is not listed as KIA.
Jeff

[Ian Jewison]

Jeff,

Ah..so you are the one that bought that one recently?

From the loss report:

19.08.1942 II./K.G.2, Luftflotte 3 Location and cause unknown

Aircraft
Dornier Do 217 E-4 WNr. 4292 U5 + YN 100%

Crew
Uffz. Kroll, Hellmut. F. Verm
Fw. Wachsmuth, Alfred. B. Verm
Fw. Maier, Anton. Bf. Verm
Ofw. Mai, Franz. Bm. Verm


From KG 2 book:

Target location: Dieppe
Loss location: English Channel
Start: 09:42 from Eindoven
Cause: Hit by flak and plunged into the sea

/Ian

[JUNGCO]

Thanks much Ian. Yes, I'm the one. I had already given up on finding more info, finding nothing on the internet and not having the "book." Interesting is that, he is only an Obergefreiter in the Soldbbch.
Jeff

[Blued]

Pardon my ignorance but I have two questions as I continue to learn but I'm sure those here know the answer:

A) I thought all flight crew soldbuchs had a red "F" stamped on page 1. Was this not always the case?

B) If he went MIA, does this mean flight crew did not carry their soldbuchs on themselves during sorties, unlike army soldiers that carried theirs into battle?

[Ian Jewison]

Interesting is that, he is only an Obergefreiter in the Soldbbch.

Perhaps a posthumous promotion or they never got round to updating his Soldbuch

/Ian