I am seeking pics.& imformation on this pilot, where he was based, & the type of A/C he flew in July 1943, any imformation etc. would be greatfully received for research into a Halifax of 158 Sqdn which he shot down on the 26/7/1943, resulting in the loss of a friends colleague.
Thanks in anticipation
Dustyone
By: kelly - 7th August 2008 at 07:15
Kev – just the type of article we are looking for.
Look forward to hearing from you further.
Kind regards
Kelly
By: kev35 - 6th August 2008 at 21:32
Kelly.
I have some information regarding a Lancaster crew lost at sea and almost certainly shot down by a night fighter. A relative of my fiance was the Wireless Operator and I have managed to trace the families of both the rear and mid upper gunners. Would there be any chance of you doing something similar with this information. I have photographs of the three crew members I have mentioned.
Regards,
kev35
By: kelly - 6th August 2008 at 21:24
Aircrew
Dusty one
If your friend would like a page of honour made for his lost relative we would be happy to look at it if you could email the information available?
Contact either via the site or PM me.
By: kev35 - 6th August 2008 at 13:36
Dustyone.
A happy half hour’s googling reveals the following from a number of sites, links at the bottom of the post.
Rudolph Sigmund was born on the 5th of March 1915. After joining the Luftwaffe and training as a pilot he served with several Night Fighter Units including I/NJG1, II/NJG2, IV/NJG1, as Staffelkapitan of 10/NJG1 before becoming Gruppen Kommandeur of III/NJG3 at the end of August in 1943. This unit, at that time, was operating the Bf110G from Stade. He was awarded both the Knight’s Cross and German Cross in August of 1943.
A successful fighter pilot he had accumulated 28 victories (26 at night) by the time of his death on the night of the 3rd/4th october 1943. In fact, on two occasions he had shot down four four engined bombers on a single mission.
On the night of his death, he was flying Messerschmitt Bf110G-4U/7 Werke Nummer 5560 and coded D5+AD. His radio operator was Feldwebel Hugo-Albert Bauer and his gunner was Unteroffizier Johannes-Max Dittrich. All three were killed when their aircraft crashed South West of Guttingen. I have seen reference to them being shot down in combat and as being a victim of local Flak defences. Hauptmann Sigmund was buried in his home town of Reichenbuch. He had claimed his last victim, a Lancaster, just the night before.
A little more from Chorley’s Bomber Command Losses of which I am sure you are already aware.
It was an Operation to Essen and the Halifax concerned was Halifax II JN884 NP-F.
“T/O 2239 Lissett. Shot down by a night-fighter (Hptm Rudolf [sic] Sigmund IV/NJG1) and crashed 0017 onto the Dolfijnweg, 3 km N of Den Helder.Those who died are buried in Wieringermeer (Middenmeer) General Cemetery. Sgt. Louden had a remarkable escape in that he lost his parachute while baling out, but managed to grab the pack as he fell.”
The crew were:
Sgt. K R Larkin.
Sgt. J Stewart.
Sgt. P F Watson RNZAF.
Sgt. E R Bray.
Sgt. R D Raven.
Sgt. R J Wyatt-Matthews.
Sgt. J E Louden (PoW)
http://www.aircrewremembrancesociety.com/luft1943/Sigmund.html
http://www.luftwaffe39-45.historia.nom.br/ases/sigmund.htm
I hope this is useful to you and your friend.
Regards,
kev35
By: mhuxt - 6th August 2008 at 12:20
Maybe try over here:
http://disc.yourwebapps.com/Indices/169401.html
Not a lot of traffic there, but the folks who do post generally know their stuff.
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August 6, 2008 at 11:00 am