24 July 1941

Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-7 " yellow 12 " (WNr. 6457)
1.5 km west of Bourg-Blanc, 11 km north of Brest (29)
(contributors : Erik Mombeeck, Jean-Louis Roba, Claude Archambault, Daniel Dahiot)

Pilot

In this photo taken in early July at Brest-Guipavas, Erwin RICHEY, returning from St-Pol, poses with his mechanics in front of his Me Bf 109 " yellow 6 "
He would be killed a few days later on the " yellow 12 ". By a curious twist of fate, the " yellow 6 " in this photo was damaged on July 24,
the day of RICHEY's death, after hitting an obstacle at the La Rochelle-Laleu aerodrome and was 45% damaged (see appendices).
 Photo collection Benoît Paquet - ABSA 39-45

Feldwebel  Erwin RICHEY - 3./JG 2, killed.

Born on October 17, 1916 in Arpke, Hanover (Lower Saxony).
Ploudaniel-Lesneven Cemetery, block 14, aisle 11, grave 687.

THE STORY
The plane crashed at 3:18 pm after a dogfight. The pilot was killed, and the aircraft was 100% destroyed. Erwin Richey had just scored his 9^th airkill (at 2:26 pm) against a Handley Page Hampden.

Erwin RICHEY's other airkills in the 3./JG 2 :
As a Gefreiter
- 1^st on August 31, 1940 (6:55 pm) - a Hurricane (unknown location) 
- 2^nd on September 7, 1940 (7:00 pm) - a Spitfire at the mouth of the Thames
- 3^rd on September 28 , 1940 (3:45 pm) - a Hurricane at Selsey Bill
As a Unteroffizier
- 4^th on October 5, 1940 (3:00 pm) - a Hurricane 20 km North of Bornemouth
- 5^th on October 15, 1940 (1:40 pm) - a Hurricane over Portsmouth
As a Feldwebel
- 6^th on November 5, 1940 (2:35 pm) - a Hurricane North-East of Portland (Southampton) 
- 7^th on June 30, 1941 (6:28 pm) - a Spitfire North of France.
- 8^th a Spitfire on July 4, 1941 (3:05 pm) North of France

Two more photos of Erwin RICHEY (black sweater) in Brest Guipavas. Seated in the chair, wearing a life jacket, is Ofw. Karl PFEIFFER.
 Photos collection Benoît Paquet - ABSA 39-45

APPENDICES

♦ List of German losses (July 1941)

This 1^st document records the loss of RICHEY's Me 109 E7 and its pilot following a fight (" Feindbeschuss: enemy fire ").
Document Claude Archambault collection

This 2^nd document records the same day the accident of the Me 109 E7 " yellow 6 " WNr. 7672 in front of which RICHEY was posing
in the photo at the beginning of the page..
Document Claude Archambault collection

♦ Various death certificates for Erwin RICHEY

The time of death has been corrected and brought back to 3:18 pm, which is consistent with the announced time of RICHEY's 9^th victory (2:26 pm).
Source document Fold3 "Germany, Military Killed in Action 1939-1948" - origine Bundearchiv

This second document mentions an incorrect date of death (May 24, 1941, instead of July 24).
Document Caude Archambault collection

Third death certificate for Erwin Richey. The date is correct, but the time of death (1:50 pm) probably not, as Richey
is supposed to have shot a Handley Page Hampden at 2:26 pm.
Document Caude Archambault collection

Sources :
- " Dans le Ciel de France (volumes 1 & 2) "- Erik Mombeeck - Jean-Louis Roba