AR banner
Search Tips Advanced Search
Back to Top

• Kracker Archive
• Allied Losses
• Archiwum Polish
• Paradie Canadian
• RCAF
• RAAF
• RNZAF
• USA
• Searchable Lists

Info LogoAdd to or correct this story with a few clicks.
Archive Report: Axis Forces
1914-1918   1935-1945

Compiled from official National Archive and Service sources, contemporary press reports, personal logbooks, diaries and correspondence, reference books, other sources, and interviews.


We seek additional information and photographs. Please contact us via the AddInfo button, or send us email from the Helpdesk.
Jadgegschwader 51 Crest
29.07.1940 Stab I/Jagdgeschwader 51 Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4 Hptm. Aichele

Operation: Combat - English Channel

Date: 29th July 1940 (Monday)

Unit: Stab I/Jagdgeschwader 51

Type: Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4

Werke/Nr. Unknown

Code: Unknown

Location: Near Wissant, France.

Pilot: Hptm. Erwin Aichele Age 39. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

His Bf 109E-4 was damaged during aerial combat over the English Channel on 29 July, 1940. As he attempted to make the emergency landing at Audembert/Wissant airfield his aircraft overturned, caught and he was killed. One of the oldest serving German fighter pilots at the age of 39.

Propeller blades and hub mark the spot where Hptm. Erwin Aichele lost his life.

Rare picture of Erwin Aichele taken in 1933 standing by Focke-Wulf C-19 autogyro. Left - Right: Aviatrix Fel Gudrun Pagge, Walter Hagen (Oberst., Ritterkreuz), Erwin Aichele, Theodor Osterkamp (Generalmajor, Ritterkreuz, Order Pour La Mérite). Image courtesy Bundesarchiv, Germany.

With thanks to Tom Kracker - his great research spanning some 20 years. Honoured to host his extensive Luftwaffe Archive with Aircrew Remembered. Also to Michel Beckers for photographs.

KTY 2015-o4-20

Acknowledgements: Sources used by us in compiling Archive Reports include: Bill Chorley - 'Bomber Command Losses Vols. 1-9, plus ongoing revisions', Dr. Theo E.W. Boiten and Mr. Roderick J. Mackenzie - 'Nightfighter War Diaries Vols. 1 and 2', Martin Middlebrook and Chris Everitt - 'Bomber Command War Diaries', Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Tom Kracker - Kracker Luftwaffe Archives, Michel Beckers, Major Fred Paradie (RCAF) and MWO François Dutil (RCAF) - Paradie Archive (on this site), Jean Schadskaje, Major Jack O'Connor USAF (Retd.), Robert Gretzyngier, Wojtek Matusiak, Waldemar Wójcik and Józef Zieliński - 'Ku Czci Połeglyçh Lotnikow 1939-1945', Archiwum - Polish Air Force Archive (on this site), Anna Krzystek, Tadeusz Krzystek - 'Polskie Siły Powietrzne w Wielkiej Brytanii', Franek Grabowski, Norman L.R. Franks 'Fighter Command Losses', Stan D. Bishop, John A. Hey MBE, Gerrie Franken and Maco Cillessen - Losses of the US 8th and 9th Air Forces, Vols 1-6, Dr. Theo E.W. Boiton - Nachtjagd Combat Archives, Vols 1-13. Aircrew Remembered Databases and our own archives. We are grateful for the support and encouragement of CWGC, UK Imperial War Museum, Australian War Memorial, Australian National Archives, New Zealand National Archives, UK National Archives and Fold3 and countless dedicated friends and researchers across the world.
Click any image to enlarge it
Links in this story were correct at the time of writing, but can change.
Please tell us via Helpdesk of any that no longer work.

Do you have more information or corrections to this story? Use our AddInfo facility

Readers Interested In Further Reading:
More personal histories and associated material

Wer vor der Vergangenheit die Augen verschließt, wird blind für die Gegenwart. Richard von Weizsäcker
All site material (except as noted elsewhere) is owned or managed by Aircrew Remembered and should not be used without prior permission.
© Aircrew Remembered 2012 - 2024
Last Modified: 14 September 2019, 23:09

If you would like to comment on this page, please do so via our Helpdesk. Use the Submit a Ticket option to send your comments. After review, our Editors will publish your comment below with your first name, but not your email address.

A word from the Editor: your contribution is important. We welcome your comments and information. Thanks in advance.
Monitor Additions/Changes?Click to monitor changes to this page. Create account for first monitor, thereafter monitoring is very fast. Click to close without creating monitor