J Temple-West

No.. Can?t find a ?KG? with the name of ?Gretel?, must be the pilots girlfriend, perhaps a little leeway for an air ace.

There was a famous fighter pilot (Oblt. Rudi Linz.12./JG5) who had the same name on his fuselage. Emblems, girlfriend?s names!! It would seem that Luftwaffe pilots had the same panache as the Americans when it came to adorning their aircraft.

I?ll keep looking for that emblem on the close-up. I?m sure there?s someone who?ll go?It?s KG thingy-me-bob.

In the meantime, we can forget the emblem for 1./ KG 2.

1./KG2 emblem.

Simon,

I've had a look through the 'Kampfgeschwader Gruppe' emblems I have on file, looking for a shape that fits the outline that's on that aircraft..No luck. So, I think it must be a squadron emblem... a little more difficult but will keep on with the search. I suspect the word next to the emblem is the key. I reckon it's the 'Gruppe' name. If you can do a large resolution scan of that part, we may have a better chance of tracking down the unit.

Not a problem..

I've trying to do a bit of filtering to see if we can get a better view of the squadron emblem. from what I can make out, I think you're right.. either II or III./KG 30.

Let us know how you get on, Pascal.

Do you know if there were any markings left on the the side of the aircraft? I would be interested to know what squadron this aircraft was from.

Pascal,

Have you tried asking at http://www.luftarchiv.de/ ? They may be able to help.

Hi Pascal,

Firstly, welcome to the forum.

This is going to be a difficult one.

Having just done a quick 'Google' search, I came across this site. Anything to do with you?

http://www.sportesport.it/wrecksFR027.htm

Hi Devonrex.

KG 30 flew Junkers JU88A bombers.

Here's one that will bring tears to your eyes.. If it weren't for the obvious it would be an absolutely mint piece.

An old photo, so not seen at its best..

Another hint of a bad item, is very bad photography.

Sorry, I can't agree...Not good advice to give. Some of my finest pieces have come form sellers who have posted bad pictures on auction sites, etc.

Ahh! that old feeling when acquiring a new piece... It sits by your chair, you keep picking it up, looking, get the loop out, decide whether to clean with a toothbrush, warm water and soft soap. shall I? yes, no. Finally, it joins the rest of the birds and on to the next hunt..

The joys of collecting.. it's almost like having an affair... Just a lot more expensive!

Well done Rich. A rare piece.

Hi Rich,

Very nice!

Now put it down, you'll wear it out!

With many thanks to Rick, we can update this officer's history.

We now have his date of promotion to 'Hptm' ... 01.12.42

+ the date of his Honour Goblet (Ehrenpokal) ... 03.08.42

At this time he was listed as a 'Beobachter' (Observer).

Seeing that Rehfus was the pilot at the time of his disappearance, and having a list of the crew which includes an observer, I think we can safely say that Rehfus was a pilot/observer.

The research continues..

KG 6 emblems.

I still say Luftwaffe because I think the a Luft guy would used a Heer tunic because he did not have a tropical tunic vs. a Heer guy removing all but the tabs.

Cheers

JC

I agree.. Nice pic, btw.

A letter of reply from the German Red Cross.

A letter of reply from Luftwaffe HQ.

Telegram from from the commander of 1. Gruppe KG 6, Maj Helmut Fuhrhop.

A letter of reply to an enquiry by the officer's wife.

letter of congratulations on winning the lifesaving medal.

Officer?s examination certificate.

Licence+1

Drivers licence.

Photoghaph of Hans Rehfus as he was on his entry into the Reichsheer as part of 4 Komp. Aufklr. Abt.5

After seeing, bidding and winning what turned out to be a very inexpensive group of documents on ebay, I received all but one, of the following, from the seller.

What we have, in essence, are the documents pertaining to the beginning and end of a career ?Luftwaffe? officer?s service, one Hauptmann Hans Rehfus late of Kampfgeschwader 6.

As will be seen, these documents only cover his entry into the Reichsheer, his driving licence (obtained from another source), officer training, congratulatory letter for the lifesaving medal, then nothing until his disappearance in Sicily in 1943 during an attack on the city of Syrakus.

The documents from this point are replies from various organizations, both military and civil, to inquiries made by the officer?s wife as to the status of her husband. Most of the advice is that she should be patient as POW reports, coming form the allies, would be delayed due to the ?situation? in the area.

The most telling information comes in the form of a telegram from the commander of 1. Gruppe KG 6, Maj Helmut Fuhrhop, where he states that Hauptmann Rehfus failed to return from the raid? and the letter from the Red Cross where they say that the names of the crew were submitted to Geneva but were not on any POW listings.

I?ve started the research on this officer, luckily came across his drivers licence?so at least we have a photograph.

Any help would be much appreciated in filling in the blanks.

Luftwaffe..RAF..USAAF.

Reverse..