Question on Luftwaffe protocols for missing aircraft??

[Ireland]

As someone that knows very little about military protocol, I'm looking for someone to explain the procedures/protocols that would take place when a Luftwaffe plane did not return to base. Let's say an NJG4 plane that did not return. Do they give it a few days? Is a report made and if so to whom & what would be the chain of command? A letter sent to local police to do a search or did the Luftwaffe do their own searches? And then what is the process from there? Do they notify next of kin and if so, what would the a record of that be called? How long before someone is declared MIA? Then KIA? Something posted in a newspaper? Are there forms/reports/ key words (or specific file?) I should be searching for in the archives that could possibly mention a missing crew/plane? Are there acronyms or specific reports I should be looking for? Any help or direction someone can give would be greatly appreciated. I want to make sure I have exhausted my search before traveling to the archives in person.

Thank you in advance!

-Ireland

 

[Stig1207]

As someone that knows very little about military protocol, I'm looking for someone to explain the procedures/protocols that would take place when a Luftwaffe plane did not return to base. Let's say an NJG4 plane that did not return. Do they give it a few days? Is a report made and if so to whom & what would be the chain of command? A letter sent to local police to do a search or did the Luftwaffe do their own searches? And then what is the process from there? Do they notify next of kin and if so, what would the a record of that be called? How long before someone is declared MIA? Then KIA? Something posted in a newspaper? Are there forms/reports/ key words (or specific file?) I should be searching for in the archives that could possibly mention a missing crew/plane? Are there acronyms or specific reports I should be looking for? Any help or direction someone can give would be greatly appreciated. I want to make sure I have exhausted my search before traveling to the archives in person.

Thank you in advance!

-Ireland

If you haven't already done so, try 12 O'Clock High

 

[Ireland]

If you haven't already done so, try 12 O'Clock High

I have. Thank you

 

[MIflyer]

No doubt it depends heavily on the specific circumstances. When the BF-110 flown by Rudolph Hess did not return the Luftwaffe scrambled fighters to look for him. Of course they had found out he was going to the UK to negotiate peace, or something.

 

[Ireland]

I understand. But under normal circumstances I assume there were some sort of procedural protocol for notifying headquarters or next of kin. Some sort of forms completed? I am hoping someone knows the typical protocol, names of forms or who would be the next step in notification when a solider/pilot didn't return.