Wehrpass – Unteroffizier Werner Weigel – Kampfgeschwader 55 – Survived a Crash landing – FFS/EK2/VWA (on Hold)

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Unteroffizier Werner Weigel 

Werner Weigel was born on the 18th of May 1921 in Albersdorf Leipzig, in his civilian career he was a painter. 

Weigel was enlisted in the RAD on the 3rd of October 1940, he spent only 3 months in the RAD before he was called up to the Wehrmacht. 

He arrived for training on the 10th of February 1941, by July he was sent for training as an Observer. Interestingly he was found fit for all roles in the aircraft and was sent for training. 

After successful training, Weigel was assigned on the 16th of August 1942 to the:

12th Staffel, Kampfgeschwader 55 

Weigel would spend until March 1943 with the IV Gruppe in Dijon France, the unit was mainly used for training runs from France to Germany, they were dropping concrete bombs. They flew the Heinkel 111, and reported only a few losses. 

For more information of their stay in France, including pictures: 

https://www.histavia21.net/LIEUX-HISTOIRE/BA-102/LONG-0007a1.htm

On the 14th of April 1943, Weigel joined the II Gruppe

6th Staffel, Kampfgeschwader 55 

In 1943, from June 5th to 22nd, it took part in the air raids on Gorky and Yaroslavl. In night raids, together with other combat squadrons, the “Molotov” armored car plant and the Yaroslavl synthetic rubber plant were to be attacked.  282 people were killed in Gorki, 527 injured and 52 buildings of the plant were destroyed. In Yaroslavl, over 120 people were killed, around 150 others injured and over 200 buildings (including some of the rubber works) completely destroyed.  Then the staff, the II. And III./KG 55 took part in the Operation Citadel.

It seems that in such a short time Weigel had earned himself the Front Flying Clasp in Bronze as well as the Iron Cross Second Class in the space of one month. On the 16th of June 1943 until Weigel was wounded in an emergency landing in a Heinkel 111 due to an engine fire due to enemy fire, the crash was so bad that two crew members were killed in the crash Weigel. Below the details of the Crash as well as the name of the young Pilot Officer who was killed in the landing. 

Weigel acting as Observer survived a crash landing due to a fire on board on their return from a combat mission, in which the pilot and another crew member was killed. 

 

WUNDERLICH, Otto. (DOB: 01.05.21 in Postelberg, Krs. Saaz/Bohemia). 17.05.43 Lt., 6./KG 55 KIA – emergency landing due to engine fire – vic Bakhekolkhos farm near Krichevo. Buried at Donezk.

 

Comments 

An interesting Wehrpass from a highly sought after KG, Weigel flew 32 combat missions in a very short time. Weigel was extremely lucky to survive the crash, but he would never fly again. 

A Heinkel 111 from KG 55