Posts by Giovanni59

other photo

I have published this group of documents also because I would be very happy to have an exchange of information and suggestions from the experts of the forum.

Noteworthy, I think, is the handwritten list of comrades in the last photo.

Thanks.

other photos

other photos

Hello.

The group and the Soldbuch of Oberfeldwebel Herbert Ahrendt, born on 06.11.1918 in Schwarzembek (Lauenburg - Germany), in civilian life merchant.

The Soldbuch Luftwaffe nr. 78 issued on 08.09.1939 by the Burg Flugzeugführerschule to Flieger Herbert Ahrendt. On the back cover the photo of the soldier authenticated with the round stamps of the Feldpost 53024: 2. Staffel, Versuchsverband der Oberbefehlshaber der Luftwaffe and then, from 25.3.1944, I. Gruppe, Kampf-Geschwader 200.

The first erkennungsmarke assigned was No. 78 of 1/F.F.S. 6 Burg - Flugzeugführerschule 6 with base in Burg, to which was then added the second coded EKM 53415A/65. Code 53415 A corresponded to the 1./Kampfgruppe zur besonderen Verwendung 102.

On page 4 dates were noted, operating units and piloting schools where Ahrendt obtained airplane and glider flight licenses, and where he became instructor of the other pilots:

-from 11.07.1939 to 04.09.1940 Flugzeugführerschule of Burg, 1. Stabskompanie and the Flugzeugführerschule C 6 of Kolberg, 3. Stabskompanie;

-from 05.09.1940 to 01.06.1941 Kampfgruppe zur besonderen Verfügung 102, 1. Staffel;

-from 02.06.1941 to 19.06.1941 at the Segelfuggruppe (glider flight group) at Flieger Horst Kommandantur Oschass, Lehrgang Otterwisch;

-from 30.06.1941 to 17.01.1943 the Flugzeugführerschule C 6 of Kolberg, Stabskompanie;

-from 18.01.1943 to 17.03.1943 the Fliegerhorstkommandantur Magdeburg, Horstkompanie.

The Berlin-based Kampfgruppe zur besonderen Verfügung 102 was a troop and material transport unit equipped with the Junkers Ju 52 aircraft.

Between 1939 and 1945 Ahrendt had no health problems written on pag. 12 and 13.

On page 15 the only visa of conformity was affixed on 01.09.1944 by the Oberleutnant und Staffel-Führer Raschke (unidentified) with a round stamp of the II. Gruppe, Kampfgeschwader 200.

On page 17 the service units are listed, followed by page 4:

-from 18.03.1943 to 01.10.1943 Segelfluglehrer z.b.V - Stab., der Reichsluftfahrtministerium (Ministry of Aviation of the Reich) der Luftwaffe - Berlin, Kommandiert seit 18.3.43 zum Segelflug-Ausbildungs-Kommando Fl.H.Kdtr. Magdeburg-Ost;

-from 02.10.1943 to 20.02.1944 2. Staffel, Versuchsverband der Oberbefehlshaber der Luftwaffe;

-from 21.02.1944 to 10.06.1944 1. Staffel, I. Gruppe, Kampfgeschwader 200;

-from 11.06.1944 to 09.07.1944 4. Staffel, II. Gruppe, KG.200;

-from 10.07.1944 to 08.11.1944 5. Staffel, II. Gruppe, KG.200;

-from 09.11.1944 to 27.02.1945 14. Staffel, IV Gruppe, KG.200;

-from 28.02.1945 to 31.03.1945 16. Staffel, IV. Gruppe, KG.200;

-from 01.04.1945 to the end of the war Erprobungskommando 600 bei Reichsführer SS (EK.600).

The first of the assignments on p. 17 took Ahrendt, as an instructor, to a flight school for Segelflug military gliders in Magdeburg-Ost.

From 02.10.1943 to 20.02.1944 Ahrendt served at the 2. Staffel, Versuchsverband der Oberbefehlshaber der Luftwaffe. Wanderzirkus Rosarius was the unconventional name of the 2. Staffel, Versuchsverband der Oberbefehlshaber der Luftwaffe. The Luftwaffe unit used captured Allied aircraft to present them to the German fighter pilots.

The 2. Staffel Versuchsverband Ob.d.L was established in Oranienburg in 1943 under the direction of the then Generals der Jagdflieger Adolf Galland, and was commanded by Hauptmann Theodor Rosarius. In 1944 the 2. Staffel moved to the Göttingen aerodrome.

German pilots, including Herbert Ahrendt, flew with captured allied fighter jets, which were introduced to fighter pilot schools and day and night fighter units. To do this, they flew from one place to another, which eventually led to the unofficial name "Wander Circus Rosarius" (Wander: migratory). Most of the captured aircraft were painted yellow on the underside. The squadron's detection mark was "T9".

In early 1944, parts of the Versuchsverbands (experimental association), including Herbert Ahrendt, were transferred to the new Kampfgeschwader 200 (KG.200).

Oberfeldwebel Herbert Ahrendt served as an aircraft pilot in various Staffels of the Kampfgeschwader 200 from its establishment on 20.02.1944 until its abolition on 31.03.1945.

It was a special and secret Luftwaffe unit. Much information on the activity of the Kampfgeschwader 200 has been destroyed or lost.

The Kampfgeschwader 200 was placed under the orders of the Oberstleutnant Werner Baumbach, expert and highly decorated bomber pilot.

In particular the 2./Versuchsverband Ob.d.L. (where Ahrendt served) became the I. Gruppe, KG.200 under the command of Major Adolf Koch.

Major Adolf Koch was first the commander of Sonderkommando Koch who, with bases in Italy and other locations, operated in the Mediterranean before the establishment of KG.200.

In relation to Oberfeldwebel Herbert Ahrendt it appears that the same:

-from 21.02.1944 to 10.06.1944 it served to 1. Staffel, I. Gruppe, KG.200, for wide-range operations;

-from 11.06.1944 to 09.07.1944 it served to 4. Staffel, II. Gruppe, KG.200, for training activities;

-from 10.07.1944 to 08.11.1944 you serve 5. Staffel, II. Gruppe, KG.200, the "Leonidas Squadron" assigned to the experimental "suicide" aircraft Fieseler Fi 103 "Reichenberg";

-from 09.11.1944 to 27.02.1945 it served to 14. Staffel, IV Gruppe, KG.200, established with staff of the II. Gruppe, the experimentation of the Fieseler Fi 103 "Reichenberg" continued;

-from 28.02.1945 to 31.03.1945 served to 16. Staffel, IV. Gruppe, KG.200, as above.

The 5. Staffel, then the IV. Gruppe, from KG.200, where Herbert Ahrendt served, took over the Fieseler Fi 103 "Reichenberg" (from Reichenberg, the capital of the historical Czechoslovak region Sudetenland, now Liberec), which were the pilot version of the Wunderwaffe V-1 bomb . Transported hooked to the wing of a Heinkel He 111, the Reichenberg would have been released, then the pilot would have guided it to its destination by parachuting at the last useful moment (with little chance of salvation), abandoning the bomb that would continue its race against the target.

KG.200 had at least two hundred Reichenbergs and about one hundred Selbstopfer pilots trained in their use, but the Oberstleutnant commander Werner Baumbach managed to cancel the program on 15.03.1945.

Herbert Ahrendt, having finished his service at KG.200, which was simultaneously suppressed, on 01.04.1945 was transferred to the Erprobungskommando 600 bei Reichsführer SS (EK.600), also called Erprobungskommando N (from Nebel - Nebbia), was established on 01.04.1945 and aimed at versions A-1 and B-1 of Bachem Ba 349 "Natter" (in German "Vipera"), which was an experimental interceptor fighter equipped with rocket propulsion, to be used as a ground-to-air missile, against allied bombers.

The first time the plane was tested in flight was on 01.03.1945 when test pilot Oberleutnant Lothar Sieber flew on a Ba 349A, which was launched from the military training area near Stetten am kalten Markt. But at 500 m altitude the canopy broke away. The aircraft crashed on the ground. Sieber died in the accident.

Despite the tragedy, other pilots volunteered and the Bachem team made three test flights in March 1945.

The Germans erected a battery of ten Natters in Kircheim near Stuttgart. The pilots remained ready day after day, but no American bomber flew within their range. U.S. Seventh Army invaded the site but the Germans detonated all ten Natters and launch pads.

On page 22 write down the decorations, which were:

-16.07.1941 the Flugzeugführerabzeichen,

-20.04.1945 the Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz.

In Herbert Ahrendt's group of documents there are also:

-Luftwaffen-Flugzeugführerschein (pilot's license) 2. Aufertigung (duplicate) issued to him on 05.02.1945 by the Flugzeugführerschule A / 2 in Prenzlau when Ahrendt served at IV./KG.200.

-Luftfahrerschein für Segelflugzeugführer (glider pilot license) issued on 16.07.1941 by Luftamt Berlin;

-Segelfluglehrer-Ausweis (glider instructor license) of the Nationalsozialistiche Fliegerkorps (NSFK), the Segelfluglehrer Klasse-S and Sonderberechtigung - W (Glider instructor class S and special authorization - W), issued on 24.10.1941;

-postsparbuch (postal savings account) of the Deutsche Reichspost;

-bank deposit book of Verschuss-und Sparbank zu Tessin;

-ausweis nr. 42 of 13.10.1941, issued by Luftgaukommando Berlin V;

-Luftfahrerschein für Segelflugzeugführer (glider pilot license) of the Republik Osterreich, issued in Vienna on 13.10.1955.

Regards, Giovanni

Hello.

Thanks everyone for your kind responses.

I confirm that the first three photos are from the album cover.

Regards, Giovanni

(automatischer Übersetzer)

Hallo.

Vielen Dank an alle für Ihre freundlichen Antworten.

Ich bestätige, dass die ersten drei Fotos vom Albumcover stammen.

Grüße, Giovanni

Hi.

A friend told me that two photos of Wilhelm Hofmann are published in Dietrich Maerz's book "The German Cross" on pages 444 and 445.

I received a copy of the two pages, and I had never seen the second photo of Wilhelm Hofmann.

With Microsoft's Facial Recognition program, I verified that the photo in the book and at least two photos in the album should be from the same person.

What do you think of it?

From my further research it appears that three photos identical to those of the album are published on the Ukrainian forum http://www.reibert.info in the thread: JG2 "Рихтгофен" (Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen"):

Note that the last photo published in the Ukrainian forum has a much better resolution than the one in the photo album:

Wilhelm Hofman's only photos from the web:

only two photos of the planes have the symbols, but of the JG.2:

only two photos of the same person, but very different from Wilhelm Hofmann, I think:

finally:

other:

other:

Hello.

A few days ago I bought the photo album of Ritterkreuzer DKiG Leutnant Wilhelm Hofmann, pilot of Jagdgeschwader 26. There are 211 photos, almost all strongly glued.

When I received the album I scanned all the photos and then enlarged:

-none of the aircraft in the photos have visible symbols, except for two which have the symbols but are JG.2 and not JG.26. Hofmann never served at JG.2;

-with Microsoft's "Facial Recognition" web program, I made sure that the photos in the album are all from different people (only one person has two photos). If a soldier forms his album, there must be many photos of him I think;

-with the "Facial Recognition" program I have ascertained that none of the photos in the album correspond to the known photos of Wilhelm Hofmann;

-in the album I have not found any element or writing that certifies that the album is by Wilhelm Hofmann.

I have strong doubts about the authenticity of this album even if the photos seem to me from the time, I think it has been tampered with, and that it is not pertinent to Wilhelm Hofmann.

But I am not an expert and I hope I am wrong.

I would like your kind opinion.

Regards, Giovanni

Hello.
As you have seen, what I have called Major Benesch, in the photos is in the uniform of Hauptmann of the Luftwaffe.
The explanation in this link, I think:
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=195180

Hello.

I bought a photo album with 200 photos thinking it was from Gebirgsjager, and only for the photos in Italy.

Then I found some photos where officers Benesch and Hettinger are mentioned.

In addition, the unit photographed operated first in Finland and Lapland, then in Austria and in Italy: Sardinia (Olbia, Golfo degli Aranci etc.), Livorno, Central Italy, Camerino, Northern Italy, Ivrea, Merano. And it was the 14. Kompanie as written.

I did some research, Major Ernst Benesch, DKiG, belonged to the Brandenburgers and also organized the Operation, then failed, to capture and kill Marshal Tito.

Leutnant then Oberleutnant and Hauptmann Hettinger commanded 14. Kompanie (then renamed 16. Kompanie) 3. Bataillon, Brandenburg-Regiment 4.

Benesch and Hettinger with the Brandenburgers served together in Finland and Lapland, then the 14/Brandenburg-Regiment 4 commanded by Hettinger went to Austria winter 1942/43, then Sardinia, Central Italy, Camerino, Merano etc. Yugoslavia.

I think the photo album is from Brandenburger, what do you think of it? Or am I wrong?

Thanks.

Hi.
If the Feldpost of the 3 stamps is 51177: 2. Batterie, schwere Flak-Abteilung 563 (v), this unit also fought in Italy from 1943 to 1945.
Giovanni

the other photos and the details of the three timbres that I think have Feldpost 61177

Hello friends.
I need help with this newly purchased soldbuch.
It is from a panzermen by schwere Panzer-Abteilung 504 (tiger), active in Italy since 1943 at the end of the war.
The second page cover photo and the last two additions on page 22 of the medals have the same round stamp (total 3 stamps), which seems to me to me with Feldpost 61177.
Feldpost 61177 is from 11. Kompanie, Kraftwagen-Transport-Regiment 2 (Speer) der Luftwaffe, active in Italy at the end of the war.
The only contact between the two units is that, immediately after the war, they were imprisoned at the Lager of Bellaria/Rimini (Italy).
In addition, the Oberst who signed to the fund on page 22 also signed the last admission on page 13.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Regards, Giovanni

Hello.
Thanks for the reply.
Unfortunately from web searches I don't find a Panzer-Zerstörer-Abteilung Grossdeutschland.
Only I found a schwere Panzer-Abteilung Grossdeutschland in Panzerkorps Großdeutschland at the end of 1944, but I don't know if it's correct.
Best regards, Giovanni

Hello.
I have difficulty understanding which are the last two units noted in this Wehrpass of the Panzer-Regiment Grossdeutschland.
I would be very happy with your help.
Regards, Giovanni

Hello.
Thanks for your answer.
It seemed to me Rieck.
I didn't find any Rink in Westland.
Instead there is a Rinck (but I think it does not correspond to the signature):
Ostuf Willi Rinck IVa II./SS-Pz.Gren.Rgt. 10 Westland xx.42
Ostuf Willi Rinck IVa SS-Wirtschafts Btl. 5 xx.43

Hello.
I need help to identify the Hauptsturmführer Regiment Adjutant of the I./SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 10 "Westland", which signed this document.
Thanks.

die beiden anderen zivilen Urkundes

Hallo.
In einem meiner Konvolute von 5 Urkunde, Militär und Zivil, zu Gunsten derselben Person, ist eine von der GFM Rommel unterschrieben.
Ich würde mich freuen, Ihre freundliche Meinung zu haben.
Grüße, Giovanni

Hello Walle.
I cannot say anything more about this document, I too am the first time I see this type of letter, which was together with the wehrpass.
I put the photo of the document, back, with the French visa.
Best regards,
Giovanni

other photo:

Hi Walle.
No problem, unfortunately the pages 1 and 2 are missing.
Regards, Giovanni

Hello.
No opinion on this soldbuch?
The last two signatures of the awards page could be Hauptmann Karl-Heinz Holzapfel?
Giovanni