Messerschmidtt Bf109E-1 (4822) crash 22/10/1940

[John Andrews]

Dear Members,
I am looking for information about the aircraft Messerschmitt Bf109E-1 (4822) in particular, the pilot Flt Mueller. His machine was shot down on the 22nd of October 1940 at 14:30 in the English Channel. The pilot survived and he was taken into captivity. I'm trying to find out whether the pilot is still living in Germany. Can anyone suggest how I might try to find out if he is still alive and possibly contact him?

John Andrews

[Jaap Woortman]

John,

With no more information it is impossible to find him.
What you need is his full name, rank and unit.
Than contact the association of this unit or the magazine Jägerblatt.
By the way, Flt is not a rank in the Luftwaffe.
Success,

Jaap Woortman
Studygroup Airwar 1939-1945

[John Andrews]

Jaap,

Many thanks for your reply. I will see whether I can get any more information about the pilot.

Regards,
John Andrews

[John Andrews]

Jaap,

I now have a bit more information about the pilot.

Herr Mueller's rank was Fhr. (Faehnrich or Fahnenjunker).

He was in Kuestenflieger 606 3/JG51.

His aircraft was severely damaged in attacks by squadron leader Malan and Flying Officer Mungo-Park of No. 74 squadron during escort mission of Bf 109 Jabos attacking London.

His aircraft crashed in the channel four miles east of Hastings at 2:30 pm, but he baled out and was captured unhurt.

Regards,
John Andrews

[Jaap Woortman]

John,

This is not possible. It's or Küstenfliegergruppe 606 or 3./JG 51.
Küstenfliegergruppe 606 was a former Naval wing.
It was transformed to a Kampfgruppe with Ju 88's.
3./JG 51 was a fightersquadron.

Jaap

[John Andrews]

Jaap,

I have just discovered the site called 'Kracker Luftwaffe Pilot Archive: all known Luftwaffe German pilots', and I found this entry there:

Müller, Kurt Fhr 3/JG-51 (Channel) Bf 109E-1 Werk # 4822 "Yellow 10" (lost 10/22/40) Fighter Operational Clasp POW 22 October, 1940 after being severely damaged in aerial combat by fighters of RAF No. 74 Sq., crashing into the Channel east of Hastings.

When I noticed that this entry doesn't mention 'Küstengruppe 606' I went back and checked the reference to 'Küstengruppe 606' which came from a book that also had an entry about the same event, but I misread this heading thinking it was a general heading for all the crashes listed on that page, whereas it was actually the heading for another crash.

My mistake.

Is it possible, with the information available, to find out anything more about Fhr Kurt Müller?

Regards,
John