Luftwaffe Aircrew pistols, Summer 1941?

[M.Rimmer]

I'm doing some research on a JU88 which crashed near my home in June 1941 and in the police report from when the body of the pilot(an Oberleutnant) was washed ashore it lists everything he had on him, including an automatic pistol.

What were the most common pistols being carried by Luftwaffe crews flying over England in the summer of 1941?.

Thanks,

Matt.

[Kris]

IMO anything is possible. From service pistols like P.08, P.38 to 7,65mm (PP,PPk, FN 1922, ....) to 'private purchase' 6,35mm pistols (WTP, DUO,...)

[Wilhelm]

The Germans never had enough pistols for everybody who needed one. Mauser HSC, Sauer and Femaru were also issued.
Wilhelm

[martin hall]

Intresting study Matt
Keep us posted best martin.

[M.Rimmer]

Thanks all for your replies. Martin, I will post a new thread on my research in the near future. The local civil police reports are interesting and give an insight into what a Luftwaffe airman carried in his pockets on a mission, but apart from these solid information has been hard to find and there are even some questions over the nature of the crash. The aircraft is supposed to have crashed into the sea but when the crews bodies were found they were not wearing parachutes or life preservers, but still wore flight helmets suggesting a controlled ditching rather than a high speed impact with water.

Best wishes,

Matt.

[Wilhelm]

If I was going to "ditch" I would have my Mae West on.
Wilhelm

[Bill Grist]

In an issue of After The Battle magazine.. It tells the story of a JU-88 crash landing in England and at least one of the Crew was armed with an FN 1922 in a holster....I have in my collection a Walther PP holster Luftwaffe marked, FN 1922 Holster Luftwaffe marked , Hungarian P-37 Holster Luftwaffe Marked both Leather and Canvas construction...Bill

[buckle1]

I also have a Mod 37 holster, canvass and leather w/Luftwaffe Waffen proof, coded and dated 1941 to go w/ my 41 dated Mod. 37 pistol.

Bill

[MikeP]

In the early 60s one of the bigger gun magazines did a piece on WW2 7.65mm bring backs.
Old guys can remembere how very common they were. All types and variations.
A humerous comment was that if every German had been issued 3 each, and everyone brought to the states, it might partially account for the large number of them presently (60s) found in the US.