What is: 1st Flieger Ergänzung Gruppe (See) "BV-138-B1"

[Joe Slavick]

Fellow collectors and researchers:

I am trying to piece together some information about a former crewman of HSK STIER. After getting rescued I believe he was assigned in Nov 1942 to the Luftwaffe's 1st Flieger Ergänzung Gruppe (See). (Specifically: BV-138-B1 as a Flight Observer.)

I essentially know nothing about the Luftwaffe. Can anybody provide me information about the 1st Flieger Ergänzung Gruppe (See) such as where assigned, missions, aircraft...etc. etc...

Then what does the factoid: "BV-138-B1" mean?

Thanks so much in advance for any assistance.

Joe

[hucks216]

Here are some details for Flieger Ergänzung Gruppe (See)...
http://www.ww2.dk/air/seefl/flerg.html

As stated in that link - 1./Fl.Erg.Gr.(See) with Do 18, He 115 and later BV138

I wouldn't be surprised if BV-138-B1 refers to the BV-138 flying boat with the B1 variant entering service in late 1940...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blohm_%26_Voss_BV_138

[Joe Slavick]

Hucks216:

Wow! An answer in less than 30 minutes, with links and information that proved to be very helpful!

I was searching, but didn't really come up with anything useful.

Thank you so much!

Joe

[Hans Mcilveen]

Hi Joe,

That is interesting. Was he one of the flight crew on Stier? Pilot?
Best

Hans

[Joe Slavick]

Hans:

(sorry for the delay -- I don't make enough time to always log-on to WAF!)

Yes. I was working on information about the former Flight Officer/Observer aboard Hilfskreuzer STIER.

It is amazing how turning over one small piece of information fits into my database to help fill in gaps of information or starts a big cascade of finding other pieces. My HSK crew database is a huge detective story inside of a big jigsaw puzzle, but after 25 years it has come a long, long, long way. Finding tiny pieces of information like this is so very important!

All the Best!

Joe