hucks216

SS-Hauptsturmführer Martin Braune. Born: 6th Mar 1910 Died: 28th Apr 1967 Highest rank reached: SS-Sturmbannführer SS-Krad-Erk.Zug/SS-Kav.Rgt 1 Chef 3./SS-Flak.Abt 6 Chef 2./SS-Flak.Abt 6 Kdr Flak.Abt 17 Image: Soldbuch

SS-Obersturmführer Paul Engber. Born: 23rd Dec 1915 Died: 15th Mar 1945 at Pfaffenheck. Highest rank reached: SS-Hauptsturmführer 2./SS-Flak.Abt 2 Chef 2./SS-Flak.Abt 6 Chef 3./SS-Pz.Jäg.Abt 6 Image: Soldbuch

Hauptmann Kurt Gierga Born: 3rd Mar 1909 Died: 25th Jun 1961 Highest rank reached: Major Chef 1./Pz.Rgt 5 Chef 5./Pz.Rgt 5 Kdr s.Pz.Abt 509 Ritterkreuz - 30th Jun 1941 DKiG - 2nd Mar 1944

Here is a brief description of the events on September 2nd - I'd say that ZG-2 were on escort duties.. This day saw an acceleration of the Luftwaffe’s attempt at wiping out the RAF’s strength, particularly that of 11 Group, the airfields of which were under continuous attack. Early that morning several groups of 30 plus aircraft were forming up behind Calais. These groups turned into one large formation of 100 aircraft, split roughly between fighters and bombers. They were soon flying across the Channel where they split up into small groups again going for individual targets. These turned out to be Eastchurch, Rochford, North Weald and Biggin Hill. 11 Group succeeded in getting 5 squadrons into position where they could intercept. Some attacks were from high flying aircraft while others were from low flying aircraft, the latter being very difficult to detect. Early in the afternoon a group of some 250 aircraft crossed the south coast and then broke up into smaller groups. Amongst the targets which were attacked was Debden which was very heavily damaged. In the mid afternoon a third group formed up over Calais, mounting to 250 aircraft. Once again being half bombers and half fighters. They then crossed the Channel and spread widely over Kent. Raids were sent yet again to Biggin Hill, Kenley and Brooklands. Damage was also caused to Eastchurch and Hornchurch. But at Hornchurch the interception by 11 Group squadrons was so successful that only some six bombs fell within the perimeter of the airfield. Maidstone was heavily bombed. Industrial targets were also hit namely the Vickers factory at Brooklands and the Short Brothers factory at Rochester. Finally, a little after 5 pm the fourth raid of the day developed. This raid concentrated on Eastchurch and Detling. Eastchurch received two attacks where severe damage was done where some 5 aircraft were destroyed on the ground together with considerable damage being done to the airfield’s communications. Eastchurch was made unusable. That day Fighter Command had lost 25 aircraft to the Luftwaffe’s 35. 8 RAF pilots had been killed. (Source: http://battleofbritainblog.com/category/september-1940/page/3/ )

6./ZG-2 stands for 6 Staffel (or Squadron to use the English equivalent) of Zestoerergeschwader 2. I have a book about the Me-110 and its units in 1940 so will have a look in there to see if it can shed anymore light of what ZG-2 were up to on that day when I return home tomorrow. As for empty/full, it is hard to say without more details. An empty fuel tank can be more dangerous then a full one as an empty (or nearly empty) one contains more fuel vapour which is very volatile, but I'm sure there are plenty of things on an armed aircraft that can cause an explosion.

Finally, his Lazarett pages and also his awards - KvK II & I Kl mit Schwertern & the Ost Medal.

Personal details & Units. He served with Verpflegungsamt 4 up until at least 16th Oct 1942 (verified by a slip of paper in the SB for the issue of a pistol with that units FpNr) but obviously managed to leave that unit before it was destroyed at Stalingrad.

A fairly recent addition to my collection is this soldbuch to Stabszahlmeister Alfred Lehmann...

Hauptmann Walther Krüger Born: 26th Mar 1902 Died: 12th August 1958 Highest rank reached: Oberst Chef 11./IR GD Kdr III/IR GD Kdr Pz.Gren.Rgt 71 Blutorden RK - 27th Aug 1943 DKiG - 27th Nov 1941 Commendation Certificate (Ehrenblattspange) - 22nd Oct 1941 Image: GD Soldbuch

With regards to Lorenz Beil this is the entry in Vol 1 of The Blitz Then & now... 6./ZG-2 Messerschmitt Bf110D-1 (3309). Exploded over Vensons Farm, Eastry 1245pm whilst under attack from Flight Sergeant J. Steere of 72 Squadron. Fw L. Beil & Obergefr J. Oehl both killed. Aircraft A2+KL a write-off. Both of them are buried in the same grave in Cannock Chase.

As I'm sure alot of you already know a German Signature Database was set up approximately 7 months ago ( http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/forum/268-germany-signature-database/ ). Since then it has had over 420 seperate entries, and even more if those that have been posted in the 'Unknown' sections are taken into account. The accumulated 'Views' for the section as a whole runs into the many thousands and this has all been down to the generosity of members sharing what they have and to who I would like to express a big Thank You. As a constant work in progress there is always room for more so if anyone has an original signature in their collection that they know the identity of be it on a citation, in a soldbuch or a book dedication etc, it is from the relevant period and you are happy to share then your additions are very much welcome, be they a well known official or a lowly Kompanie-Chef. The Guidelines give an indication of what is (and is not) required and also shows how to sort the database in alphabetical order for those that are unaware of how to do so, and following a suggestion from a fellow member there is also a Master Index so you can see at a simple glance who is already in the database. As always, suggestions are always welcome. Thank you. KEViN/Hucks

Leutnant d.R Hans-Joachim Kolewe. Führer 13./Grenadier Regiment Großdeutschland. DKiG - 19th Dec 1943 Image: GD Soldbuch

Generalleutnant Eccard Frhr von Gablenz. Born: 26th Jan 1891 Died: 17th Dec 1978 Führer 32 Infanterie Division Kdr 7 Infanterie Division Führer XXVII Armeekorps Kdr 384 Infanterie Division Kdr Division 404 Kdr 232 Infanterie Division Ritterkreuz - 15th Aug 1940 Image: EK II citation

There is a dedicated Legion Condor section over on the Axis History Forum that might be able to shed some light on the signature.

I can't find any Josef Weiss in the Ordenstrager for any high end awards. There are a couple but I very much doubt that they are the same person due to the late war/low rank of those winners. No idea on the signature I'm afraid but the stamp looks to be Sonderstab W which was the covername (for want of a better term) used for the Legion Condor. Over 8,600 Spanish Cross in Silver were awarded but of that number only approx 327 were the Spanish Cross Without Swords.

Major Bruno Kahl. Born: 23rd Nov 1914 Died: 27th Feb 1999 Highest rank reached: Oberstleutnant Chef 2./Gebirgs-Panzerabwehr-Abt 48 Chef 3./Panzer Rgt 21 Kdr III/Pz.Rgt 21 Kdr III/s.Heeres-Panzerjäger-Rgt 656 Kdr Panzerschule Erlangen Kdr Panzer Rgt Großdeutschland Ritterkreuz - 8th Feb 1943 Eichenlaub - 8th Aug 1943 DKiG - 20th Sep 1942 Image: GD PAB '25' citation

Very hard to make out but I don't think it is a number.

SS-Obersturmführer Rudolf Säumenicht. Born: 13th Feb 1916 Died: 26th Aug 1944 - KIA at Czarnow 5./SS-Standarte Germania 8./SS-Totenkopf-Infanterie-Regiment 2 Chef 3./SS-Totenkopf-Kradschtz-Btl 3 6./SS-Totenkopf-Kradschtz.Regiment "Thule" Chef 2./SS-Pz.Rgt 3 Kdr I/SS-Pz.Rgt 3 Kdr I/SS-Pz.Rgt 5 Ritterkreuz - 13th Oct 1943 DKiG - 14th Apr 1943 Image: SS-Pz.Rgt 3 Soldbuch

Nice photos. I don't know what unit the soldier in Photo 1 is from - are you able to get a clearer image of his shouldboard as he seems to have a cypher on there which could shed some light. It looks like 'M' for Machinengewehrbataillon but it is too hard to be sure. It might also be a unit number. Rank could be Feldwebel. The second one is a member of Heeresverwaltung as indicated by the HV cypher on his shoulderboard and the collar litzen. Judging by the small bump just visible on the other shoulderboard it looks like he is the equivalent of an Oberleutnant. Here are the various rank details for Wehrmachtbeamte... http://www.wwiidayby...machtbeamte.htm No idea about number 3 and for number 4 I would have a guess at NSFK judging by the shape of the eagle... http://www.wwiidayby...formen/nsfk.htm

Oberleutnant Hans Joachim von Massow Born: 07 Nov 1912 Died: 23 Jul 1944 - KIA Poland Highest rank reached: Oberstleutnant Lehroffizier Inf.Schule Döberitz Zugführer 13./IR GD Chef 13./IR GD Insp.Chef und Takt.Lehere Inf.Schule Döberitz b.Lehrstab 1 u.4 Kdr II/Gren.Rgt 504 Kdt z.W.Kdo Böhmen und Mährenz.Vorausb 14.Lehrg.f.höh.Adjutant Image: GD Soldbuch

There is a Rangeliste book that lists officers of Major and above (by surname only, no first names) for 1944 but as 'your man' was a Hauptmann he won't be listed. Without a date of birth (and unless he was a winner of a high end award) it will be an uphill struggle.

The WASt in Germany can provide basics but tend to only pass such information to Next Of Kin. What do you have for the Hauptmann?

Now that is one powerful looking dog!

Hauptmann Helmut Brinken. Chef 6 (MG) Ausb.Komp. Grenadier Ers.Rgt (mot.) GD Chef 3./1029 Verstärktes (mot.) Grenadier Rgt GD Kdr III/Grenadier Rgt GD Btl-Führer I/Grenadier Rgt GD Ehrenblattspange: 5th Mar 1945 Image: Black Wound Badge Citation.

Oberleutnant Hans-Joachim Doege. Kp-Führer 8./Inf.Rgt GD 1 Chef 1 Stammkp I.E.u.A Btl Grenadier Ers.Rgt (mot.) GD Chef 2 Inspektion - 5th Reserve Officer Candidate Company GD Image: GD Soldbuch