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6./ZG2 Messerschmitt Bf110D-0, A2+KL, W. Nr. 3629. Exploded over Vensons Farm, Eastry, Kent, under attack from F/Sgt J. Steere of No.72 Squadron 12.45 p.m. Pilot Feldwebel Lorenz Beil and Bordfunker Obergefreiter Hans Oehl both killed.German Lorenz Beil + 02-09-1940 Monday London England Cannock Chase
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Sterbebild Luftwaffe Flugzeugführer Kampf ü. London England Cannock Chase 1940 | eBay
<br><p style="margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0;">Sterbebild Feldwebel Flugzeugführer Luftwaffe Kampf über London 1940 WK2. Endgrablage: England Kriegsgräberstätte Cannock Chase Block 9 Reihe 6 Grab 37. 100% Original. Bei Versand ins Ausland erhöht sich das Porto. Artikel ab einem Wert von 10€...www.ebay.de
Yeah, there's a good dose of realism for us, I as much as anyone here loves to talk about and debate the air war but there's the true face of it. Not just the lives lost but the lives of those who survived and had to deal with loss like this.Unfortunately, I had one of the worst experiences in all of my research years when chatting to Balthasar one time at a reunion.
He asked me if I knew what had happened to Rolf.
I said 'Yes'.
He asked me if he was still alive, and could I put him in touch with Rolf.
I had to break the news to him that Rolf had been missing in action since 12th May 1941. I cannot describe the abject misery that came across his face for a few seconds. I just had to sit in silence with him...
This is the side of research that people don't see...
Balthasar was wounded in action over London on 5th October 1940. Attacked from below & behind, splinters from his seat entered his buttocks. He managed to get his Bf 110 back to Calais-Marck, and his Bordfunker Rolf Schilleng helped him out of his cockpit. Balthasar had to slide down the wing on his belly. Here is a doctor examining his wounds on the airfield.Yeah, there's a good dose of realism for us, I as much as anyone here loves to talk about and debate the air war but there's the true face of it. Not just the lives lost but the lives of those who survived and had to deal with loss like this.
While news like that is never good, at least he found out the best way possible as I'm sure you broke the news as best as you could and I'm sure he appreciated hearing it from a friend and not finding out in some insensitive manner from a stranger.
I must say, hats off to you on your depth of research and am I the only one amazed that you actually have a picture of Balthasar being examined by a doctor right after landing?Balthasar was wounded in action over London on 5th October 1940. Attacked from below & behind, splinters from his seat entered his buttocks. He managed to get his Bf 110 back to Calais-Marck, and his Bordfunker Rolf Schilleng helped him out of his cockpit. Balthasar had to slide down the wing on his belly. Here is a doctor examining his wounds on the airfield.
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Balthasar asked me if I knew who attacked him and I thought, 'Oh sh1t, I know where this is going'. I had gone through all of the combat reports of RAF squadrons up at that time of day on 5th October, and was able to narrow it down to only one squadron that attacked Bf 110 fighter-bombers, 92 Squadron. One combat report tallied exactly with what Balthasar had told me about the combat - P/O Lund. I told him the name, and he asked if he was still alive to make contact. I told him Lund had been killed in action in the mid-war years. I remember him saying slowly, and sadly, 'Oh no, not him as well'...
Taken by another member of his unit, and passed to him when he returned to the unit following a three month hospital stay.I must say, hats off to you on your depth of research and am I the only one amazed that you actually have a picture of Balthasar being examined by a doctor right after landing?
How did (I assume he) come to have a picture of that moment?