Luftwaffe Pilot Herbert Zellmann

[Altos75]

Hello All, I am seeking assistance tracing the service and death of my father's cousin, Herbert Zellmann who served as a pilot in the Luftwaffe. He was born in Essen/Rhineprovince, Germany February 11th, 1916. Our family believes he was a Ju87 'Stuka' pilot who was killed in action on the eastern front however we are not familiar with the circumstances surrounding his service or death. I was able to locate the information below on en.ww2awards.com although we are unsure of the meaning of the awards or units listed below. I have attached our family's only picture of Herbert below (Herbert is in the center). Any help information or direction in our search would be greatly appreciated!

http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/...ps257e0961.jpg



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PERSONALIA

Name: Zellmann, Herbert
Date of birth: February 11th, 1916 (Essen/Rhineprovince, Germany)
Date of death: August 30th, 1943 (near Gluchow/Ukrain, Soviet Union)
Buried on: German War Cemetery Kiev
Plot: 3.
Nationality: German

BIOGRAPHY:
Herbert Zellmann was born in Essen on February 11th, 1916 as the son of Artur and Trauchen Zellmann. He served as a pilot with the Junkers Ju 87 at the Eastern Front. Here he was killed in action on August 30th, 1943. He lies buried as an unknown soldier at the German War Cemetery Kiev.

LUFTWAFFE EHRENPOKALE FÜR BESONDERE LEISTUNGEN IM LUFTKRIEG
Rank: Unteroffizier
Unit: Flugzeugführer
Awarded on: September 20th, 1943

DEUTSCHES KREUZ IN GOLD
Rank: Feldwebel (Sergeant)
Unit: 3. / Stuka-Geschwader x
Awarded on: December 26th, 1943

EISERNES KREUZ 1. KLASSE

EISERNES KREUZ 2. KLASSE

[herkules]

''Stuka Pilot"

Sir.

gentlemen,

I would have loved to be of any help !

What urges me to comment though is the interesting fact

that these German pilots are wearing 'ship shape' pilot badges !

Assuming the picture had been taken in 1943

it allows to say that a minty looking badge has been there and done that as well !

Maybe it is true that badges just turned 'bad' when liberated and considered

not worthy enough to be treated/stored well/properly ....

Just a thought ....

Regards

Wolf

[Tim O.]

Hi Altos

Your relative was a highly decorated pilot. You are correct that he flew with a Stuka (dive bomber) unit. Other references say this was Stuka Wing 3 - Stukageschwader 3.

He received the German Cross in Gold (DEUTSCHES KREUZ IN GOLD), which was wartime Germany's second highest award for gallantry. He was also awarded the Goblet of Honour (LUFTWAFFE EHRENPOKALE FÜR BESONDERE LEISTUNGEN IM LUFTKRIEG - another highly prized award for Luftwaffe members, instituted by Hermann Göring for outstanding service).

He was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class (EISERNES KREUZ 2. KLASSE) and 1st Class (EISERNES KREUZ 1. KLASSE) too.

I do not know if the German Cemetery is still there in Kiev. Sadly many German War Graves were obliterated by the Soviets as they advanced over territory previously held by the Germans.

Others here may have loss reports to help fill in the details but many of these were destroyed at the close of the war so this may not be possible.

In the photo he is shown as an Unteroffizier (corporal) but he was a Feldwebel (sergeant) when he died. The aircraft in the background is I believe a training aircraft. This and the fact he wears no gallantry awards makes me think this photo was taken a year or two before he died. It would be very unusual to not even wear the ribbon of the Iron Cross 2nd Class if he had been awarded it at the time.

Good luck with your research.

[Rich G]

Hi

According to a spread sheet that I have of JU87 losses in Russia:

Zellmann, Fw Herbet was flying Ju 87D-3 Werk No. 110740 of 3/St.G.1, KIA with crew on 30.8.43 in mid-air collision with Ju87D-5 WNr. 130769. which was flown by Kaiser, Ltn. Heinrich of 2/St.G.1

Happened at Gluchew I think but that doesn't sound very Russian.