24 July 1940
Junkers Ju 88 A-1 (WNr. 264 - code 4U+EH)
12 km Southwest of Sizun
(contributors : Jean-Louis Roba, Claude Archambault, Gildas Saouzanet, Frédéric Hénoff, Harald Rabeder)
Crew (1.(F)/Aufkl.Gr.123)
from left to right : Ofw. FORSTNER, Oblt. MÜHLBAUER,
Fw. REICHENSTEIN, Uffz. LANGHAUSER in front of their former Dornier Do 17P.
photo Reichenstein family.
Source Facebook page Luftwaffe losses and Aircrew Remembrance.
- Ofw. Martin FORSTNER (pilot), killed,
born on July 6, 1912 in Brückberg (Bavaria),
Source photo " The Knullenkopfstaffel " - Harald Rabeder
- Oblt. Hans MÜHLBAUER (observer), killed,
born on March 23, 1912 in Friedenfels (Bavaria),
teacher, father of young girl called Inge
Source photo " The Knullenkopfstaffel " - Harald Rabeder
- Fw. Otto REICHENSTEIN (radio operator), killed,
born on December 16, 1911 in Kenzingen (Bade-Wurtemberg)
Source photo " The Knullenkopfstaffel " - Harald Rabeder
- Uffz. Heinrich LANGHAUSER (air gunner), killed,
born on December 4, 1917 in Mannheim (Bade-Wurtemberg).
Source photo " The Knullenkopfstaffel " - Harald Rabeder
from left to right : Ofw. FORSTNER, Oblt. MÜHLBAUER, Fw. REICHENSTEIN
photo Reichenstein family - Source Facebook page Luftwaffe losses and Aircrew Remembrance.
Fw. Otto REICHENSTEIN
photo Reichenstein family - Source Facebook page Luftwaffe losses and Aircrew Remembrance.
THE STORY
Returning from a mission to Bristol, England, the Ju 88 A-1 flown by Ofw. Forstner crashed in French territory, 12 km southwest of Sizun (1.2 km east-northeast of Bodenna in Saint-Rivoal) on July 24th, for unknown reasons (some sources mention technical problems, others an attack by an enemy aircraft). At 12:21 pm, the aircraft hit the Mont Saint-Michel in Saint-Rivoal (altitude 391 m). All four crew members were killed. The squadron thus lost one of its most experienced crews. A report dated July 26, 1940, from the Morlaix Air Base Command (Kommando Flughafenbereich Morlaix) indicates that it was recovered by the Bergungskommando T.L. and the San. Staffel of the Morlaix Air Base Command (Kdo. FI.B. Morlaix).
The remains of the aircraft show the violence of the impact.
photo Reichenstein family - Source Facebook page Luftwaffe losses and Aircrew Remembrance.
A tribute was paid to the 4 airmen by the Luftwaffe at their initial burial in the Ploudaniel cemetery.
Note : a soldier is carrying Lieutenant Mühlbauer's medal on a cushion.
Source photo " The Knullenkopfstaffel " - Harald Rabeder
photo Reichenstein family - Source Facebook page Luftwaffe losses and Aircrew Remembrance.
The grave of Fw. Otto REICHENSTEIN
photo Reichenstein family - Source Facebook page Luftwaffe losses and Aircrew Remembrance.
Some remains of the aircraft (dive brake cylinder, crankshaft, rudder or wing covering piece...) were recovered by Mr. Cavaloc from the Moulin de Saint-Rivoal (below).
APPENDICES
Documents from German archives (Bundesarchiv).
♦ Death certificates and notice of Oblt Hans MÜHLBAUER
3
This document specifies that Mühlbauer was a teacher in Breitenbrunn (Austria),that he held the Iron Cross 2nd class,
and that he was born on March 23, 1912.
Document Jean-Louis Roba collection
In this second document, an announcement clearly published by his wife, we learn that he had a little girl named Inge.
Document Jean-Louis Roba collection
1st death certificate
Document Jean-Louis Roba collection
2nd death certificate (G-A 608/0214).
Document source : Fold3 "Germany, Military Killed in Action 1939-1948" - origin Bundearchiv
♦ Death certificates of other crew members.
- Martin Forstner
Death certificate G-B 152/0882
Document source : Fold3 "Germany, Military Killed in Action 1939-1948" - origin Bundearchiv
- Otto Reichenstein
Death certificate G-A 744/1174
Document source : Fold3 "Germany, Military Killed in Action 1939-1948" - origin Bundearchiv
- Heinrich Langhauser
Death certificate G-A 238/1438
Document source : Fold3 "Germany, Military Killed in Action 1939-1948" - origin Bundearchiv
♦ List of aircraft accidents and losses in Luftwaffe units ("Flugzeugunfälle und Verluste bei den Verbänden")
List of German losses in July 1940, including the Ju 88 4U+EH
A red text has been added, "Feindflug," suggesting that the aircraft was shot down by an enemy plane, which is not confirmed.
We also read "'(Oblt. Mühlbauer)" indicating that Mühlbauer was the commander of the aircraft that day.
Document via Frédéric HENOFF
Zoom in on the last line
Document via Frédéric HENOFF
Source : livre "The Knullenkopfstaffel" par Harald Rabeder
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