The Fighter Pilot from Ratibor - Herbert Kutscha

 

" The Fighter Pilot from Ratibor Herbert Kutscha Turns 70 "     from Jägerblatt (May 1987)

 "Der Ratiborer"—the official hometown publication for the city and district of Ratibor** (Upper Silesia) and an independent periodical dedicated to preserving and deepening ties to the homeland—published an extensive tribute in its latest issue to famous aviation pioneers and pilots from the Upper Silesian city of Ratibor. Alongside the former balloonist and airship pilot Dr. Hugo von Abercron and the leader of *Jagdstaffel* Boelcke (and *Pour le Mérite* recipient) Otto Bernert, the article honored an active member of our community: the fighter pilot and Knight's Cross recipient Herbert Kutscha. We share the pride felt by his fellow natives of Ratibor for a man who distinguished himself in both war and peace; after losing his Upper Silesian homeland, he overcame great difficulties to build a new career in Northern Württemberg, all while remaining steadfastly loyal to our community. 

** Now Racibórz in southern Poland, close to the Czech border) the town maintains active ties with Germany today through municipal partnerships, cultural exchanges, and European cooperation, even though its local ethnic German population was largely expelled after World War II

Herbert Kutscha was born on April 24, 1917, in Ratibor. He joined the commercial pilot training school (Verkehrsfliegerschule) as early as 1934 and transferred to the Luftwaffe shortly thereafter. During the Second World War, while serving as a Unteroffizier with II./JG 77, he achieved his first victory on December 14, 1939, over the German Bight. In February 1940, he was transferred to II./ZG 1. After achieving ten victories with II./SKG 210, he was deployed to Russia, where he enjoyed great success in low-level ground-attack missions. From June 1943, he served as *Staffelkapitän* of 15./JG 3 in Italy, flying missions in 'Ofenrohr' (stove pipe) equipped Gustavs against four-engine bombers. In August 1944 he became Kommandeur of II./JG 3 and in December 1944 was appointed Kommandeur of II./JG 27, a post that he held until February 1945 when he was posted to command III./JG 11. Herbert Kutscha was the recipient of numerous decorations; as a pilot, he was awarded the Knight's Cross on September 24, 1942, while serving on the Eastern Front with 5./ZG 1. With 47 aerial victories—including 22 four-engine bombers—and numerous ground-attack missions against tanks, locomotives, flak positions etc in some 900 sorties Kutscha settled in West Germany post-war after release from captivity. 

As a Staffelkapitän in IV./JG 3, he briefly led the Gruppe in the air during early 1944 after 83-victory ace and Kommandeur Franz Beyer was shot down and killed on 11 February 1944. Kutscha himself was downed barely ten days later on 24 February 1944 in combat with P-47s. Although wounded he baled out of his Bf 109 G-6, WNr. 411048, "yellow 13" (below) over Quakenbrück and was out of action for several months. 

 1939: Küstenjagdstaffel of II./JG 136 at Jever, equipped with Bf 109 Bs (from left): Merker, Kutscha, Pohl, Heilmayer, Babucke.

Luftwaffe book review - former Kommandeur of III./JG 7 on Mano Ziegler's book 'Turbinen-Jäger Me 262'

 

  

 Mano Ziegler's books, especially Turbinen-Jäger Me 262 and his Me 163 title 'Rocket Fighter' come in for some hefty criticism in the magazine of the German fighter Pilot's association Jägerblatt. In a piece entitled " A critical note regarding Mano Ziegler’s book *Turbinen-Jäger Me 262* (*Jägerblatt* 6/77, Book Recommendations B. 54) Rudolf Sinner (R.-Wagner-Str. 5, A-4020 Linz)—formerly a Major, Gruppenkommandeur in JG 27, a member of the Lechfeld Jet Testing Command (Turboerprobungskommando), and Kommandeur of III./JG 7 reacts. Sinner had been asked by his former Kommodore, Edu Neumann, to assist Mano Ziegler in his work on the history of the Me 262. Through several meetings and letters, Sinner provided Ziegler with information, documents, photographs, and pointers. However, he had requested the opportunity to review and correct the material before the book went to press.

Sinner raised objections regarding the draft excerpt sent to him, but these were disregarded. Consequently—as he wrote to Ziegler on December 7, 1977—"knowledgeable readers could form completely erroneous impressions regarding the objective (Zielsetzung) and content of my contribution."

"What bothers me most is Chapter 17; I had expressly requested its omission or a proposed revision," Sinner continued. He found the section titled "The Knight's Cross Invention" (page 165 of the aforementioned book) completely baffling; he had specifically pointed out in a conversation that, due to the lack of this decoration—which was practically part of the standard uniform for fighter wing commanders (Jagdflieger Kommandeure) —he was initially denied a command position upon his transfer to JG 7. In his letter to the Jägerblatt editorial staff, Rudolf Sinner offers the following assessment of the book:

"..What is reported here regarding the aircraft's deployment is a patchwork—served up in a superficial and slipshod manner—featuring spurious highlights and absurdly skewed priorities. The descriptions of the operational environment and the commentary on fighter operations in general—and the fight against the four-engine bombers in particular—reveal that Mr. Z. never experienced this crap firsthand (..diese Scheiße..) My point, for instance, that virtually all fighter pilots in Reich Defense units would have gladly switched from their 109s, 190s, and 110s to the 262 - despite certain teething problems - because this aircraft—due to its superior speed and concentrated firepower—offered greater safety and represented a lifeline for many who flew until the very end, remained incomprehensible to him. It was impossible to dissuade him from the exaggerated portrayal, both in terms of length and dramatization, of the dangers that simply flying the 262 supposedly entailed, even though these dangers were hardly worth mentioning compared to the risks (as operations demonstrated) that combat inevitably brought, even with this aircraft—not to mention the old "Otto fighters."

Also on this blog;

Hans Ring review of Walther Dahl's memoir 'Rammjäger', April 1962

Bf 108s in England, May 1937 - the Isle of Man air races

 

This Eduard Bf 108 finished as D-IHDD race number '22' in racing blue was seen on the competition tables at the recent US Fort Wayne IPMS Nationals. According to some, Messerschmitt Bf 108 B Taifun with registration code D-IHDD is 'famous' for participating in the 1937 Manx Air Derby (Isle of Man Air Race) in May 1937. (The Isle of Man is strictly speaking not part of the UK or England, but a British 'Crown dependency') Due to its unique historical racing livery, D-IHDD is a popular subject for modellers and it featured as a primary markings option in the Eduard Bf 108 Weekend Edition (1:48 scale). But was race number '22' really D-IHDD?  Unfortunately not.....

Above;  Bf 108 D-INKY and enthusiastic British (Isle of Man) supporters, May 1937..

Modellers are STILL building the blue Bf 108 in its Manx  air racing scheme as D-IHDD race number 22. This all started years ago with the release of a Techmod decal sheet depicting D-IHDD (race number 22).  It is impossible to know  how and why this error made it into print but Techmod's 'research' was then repeated by Eduard.  

Two Bf 108s took part in the 1937 Isle of Man air rally (Manx Air Races) entered by the Aero Club of Germany - these were D-IOSA (race number 21) and D-INKY. D-INKY was in fact the 'real' race number '22'. The aircraft were flown by (Major) Hans Seidemann and Ernst Gerbrecht. Seidemann was declared winner (after a delay and in somewhat controversial circumstances) of the London to Isle of Man race that took place on 16 May 1937; according to the Ronaldsway airport (Douglas) Isle of Man web page;

"...The crowds at Douglas, waiting for the first arrivals timed for 3 p.m., were to be disappointed and they only saw five machines across the finishing line.. A. M. Henderson (Monospar) was in front closely followed by Captain Higgins, A. V. Harvey (Comper Swift), H. J. Wilson (BA Eagle) and R. C. Hockley (Aeronca). But, amazingly, Major Seidemann was the first to arrive at Ronaldsway, landing at 3.22 p.m. As he had missed the finish line in Douglas Bay he was excluded. He immediately took off again and flew to Douglas. This resulted in a protest being lodged with the Stewards who held three meetings over the weekend to sort things out. It was not until Monday morning that they announced the final placings, declaring Major Seidemann the winner as he had been the only competitor to be recorded at Maughold Head. He was of course delighted to be taking the Challenge Cup back to Germany, claiming it was ‘better to race in peace than in war’.."

Three Bf 108s returned for the 1938 races - again no D-IHDD. The machines were D-IDNT (race number 26), D-IOSS ('27') and D-ICIS ('28') . The three Bf 108s were accompanied over England by the AGO Ao 192 Kurier, registration D-OCTB. Photographs of these machines in the UK are extremely rare and usually of poor quality. The images shown here are reproduced from the Manx Aviation museum archive. 

Details of rear fuselage stencils on D-IOSA

Above; this view taken at the 1937 rally in the UK indicates that there was no 'Messerschmitt Taifun' lettering under the cabin door, although the stylised 'bird' marking appears just ahead of the cockpit. D-INKY taxies in.

Below; Bf 108 '22' registration D-INKY with the pilot Ernst Gerbrecht settling into the cockpit. Note the different finish on the propeller blades, almost certainly not the usual dark green (see model photo above) 

Eduard Bf 109 K-4

.. latest Eduard 1:72nd Bf 109 from Michel Wilhelme. This one is from the K-4 'limited edition' box and finished as a III./JG 4 machine...

De-mining the Danube - Minensuchgruppe 1 (MSGr 1) by Peter Kassak

 

The Luftwaffe's Minensuchgruppe 1 (MSGr 1)—widely known as Sonderkommando "Mausi"—was a specialized airborne mine-sweeping unit formed in late 1940 to trigger and detonate British magnetic sea mines using modified Junkers Ju 52/3m aircraft fitted with massive electrical energizing rings. "Mausi" was short for Magnetspule or magnetic coil. Peter Kassak provides some details of mine-clearing operations flown by the Luftwaffe's specialist Ju 52 mine-sweepers along the Danube as the Allies sought to interdict German oil supplies ..

The recent hot weather throughout Europe (summer 2026) has caused a significant drop in river water levels - even in one of the largest rivers in Europe, the Danube. And the low water levels have exposed some long-hidden WW II relics. Aside from the wrecks of ships in Serbia, or Hungary, there was also ammunition of various types located on the banks of the river. In the southern Slovakian part of the river (the river is a border between the Slovak republic and Hungary) two RAF mines were located and detonated on 3 August causing the suspension of river traffic on the Danube for several hours. Given the location near the village of Virt, the British sea mines most probably originated from the “gardening” mission flown on 29 May 1944 by the RAF's 205 Group and its 178 Squadron Liberator crews. The Wellington and Liberator crews had to sow their mines (hence the slang term 'gardening') at low level on moonlit nights, running the gauntlet of night fighters, flak and balloon barrages.

Below; British 700 kg anti-shipping mines found in the Slovakian section of the Danube river, August 2026, source: Police of the Slovak republic FB page.

During WWII, the smooth functioning of the Danube river transport system was crucial for Germany, and its disruption was highly desirable. Two main options presented themselves to Allied planners in Italy. One involved the destruction of the oil refineries, port facilities and other infrastructure. The other required the interdiction of Danube river traffic by mining. Both options would be resorted to as the USAAF and RAF sought to cut Germany off from its much-needed Romanian oil.

The first attempt to disrupt Danube shipping was undertaken by the Russians in September 1941, when Soviet commandos penetrated the German lines from Bessarabia and dropped drifting contact mines in the river. These were however ineffective, damaging no ships although several were struck by them. Traffic was halted for 12 hours only. The first attempt by the Western allies to hinder the supply of Romanian oil to Germany was undertaken on 12 June 1942, when B-24 Liberators of the USAAF’s HALPRO detachment attacked the oilfields at Ploesti. However, the main “gardening” campaign was performed by RAF 205 Group between April to October 1944 and had the most impact. It is estimated that between April and October Allied mines caused a reduction of at least 60% in Danube priority traffic, while ordinary commercial traffic suffered still more seriously to the extent of complete interdiction in certain categories.

German counter measures involving the Luftwaffe were essentially two-fold - night-fighters were scrambled almost nightly with some noticeable results during late summer 1944 (also described in the latest book from AWP, "Nachtjagd over the Eastern Front"). The second counter measure involving the Luftwaffe was the deployment of mine-sweeping aircraft. MSGr 1 Ju 52s swept the river about four hours daily, usually in the early morning and again in the evening. These times were chosen because experience had shown that Allied fighter planes were least likely to appear then. It is believed that 165 mines were detonated by the aircraft.

Below; Ju 52 MS version flying over the bridge in Bratislava in summer 1944, source Dusan Bublik

 

DW 1 (Directional Wireless 1) was the RAF codename for a magnetically energized (degaussing) ring some 50 feet in diameter, fitted to some Mark I Wellington bombers and used to sweep magnetic sea mines by detonation. The aircraft flew low over the sea; the mines were detecting the magnetic field of the DW 1 and exploded accordingly. The crew of the Wellington were successful in destroying a magnetic mine on their very first sortie on the 8 January 1940 (aircraft was P2518 piloted by test pilot ‘Bruin’ Purvis, navigator Lt.Cdr. ‘Ben’ Bolt with Sq/Ldr. John Chaplin operating the gear in the fuselage). The Germans adopted the idea and fitted similar degaussing devices and rings to a number of  Ju 52s. The Ju 52/3m g4e MS (Minen Sucher = mine finder) was fitted with a large Dural hoop braced beneath the wing and fuselage. This hoop was energized by an additional motor installed in the fuselage. The magnetic field generated thus triggered magnetically fused mines.

The advantage of the Ju 52/3m for mine-sweeping operations was that it was easy to bring into action at various locations, and over remote areas. It could search for mines that were undetected by conventional water-borne mine sweepers. But there were also disadvantages. The radius of effectiveness of each aircraft was only about 50 metres. Operations could not be undertaken in bad weather and low visibility because the strong magnetic field produced by the mine degaussing equipment caused on-board compasses to malfunction. And the aircraft’s armament was weak, and insufficient to defend the crew if attacked. However, the machine had an endurance of around four hours at an average speed of 180 km/h. 

The M-devices featuring the huge MS ring (MS-Magnetspule) mounted under each aircraft were of course used for exploding magnetic mines. Other types of mines were acoustic. For sweeping , the so-called A-device (A for Acoustic) was used. Once installed in the Ju 52/3m, the acoustic device continuously changed channels and radioed various wavelengths, which triggered mines to explode. ELM/A mines were sensitive within 2200- 2600 meters and detonated at 600-800 meters from the source of the signal. ELM/A-St mines were sensitive within 600-800 meters and detonated at 200- 300 meters from the source. The signal wavelength was changed every 30 seconds, and was organized in 10 channels. In some cases, both magnetic and acoustic mines were dropped by RAF crews. Therefore combined formations of Ju-52/3m mine sweepers could be flown - aircraft carrying the M-device flew ahead, one aircraft carrying an A-device following. The distance between the planes varied according to flight speed and height, to prevent damage to following aircraft by the delayed detonation of a mine.  

Below; diagram depicting a mixed formation of M-and A- type mine sweeping Ju 52s  

The unit tasked with minesweeping was Minensuchgruppe 1 (MSGr. 1) formed in October 1942. The task of the Minensuchverbände (mine searching units) was to clear sea and river water routes of mines. MSGr.1 comprised six independent Staffeln, which were active in various theatres of operations. To operate over the Black Sea and later the Danube, a 3. Staffel was established in Varna. From February to October 1944 it was registered as an independent 3. Minensuchstaffel, using Junkers Ju-52/3m MS aircraft. For the last two months of its existence, it moved to Neusatz. Each Minensuchstaffel consisted of 18 Ju 52/3m MS aircraft, of which 14 were so-called M-planes and 4 were A-planes. But between June and September 3. Staffel MSGr.1 had 24 aircraft on charge, due to losses and also greater operational demands. At that time, according to some sources, six planes were stationed at Budapest (Budaőrs airport), eleven in Belgrade and seven in Craiova/Walachei. The aircraft carried the code 3K+.

At the beginning of April 1944, the unit had only one aircraft, but received 17 more during the month. In June one aircraft was lost to US fighters. This happened on June 6 north-west of Turnu Severin, Romania, where 1st Lt. James W. Stegman of the 82nd FG/96th FS claimed a Ju 52 with a strange ring device under the fuselage. This correlates with the loss of Ju 52/3m MS W.Nr. 501313 at location 44°46’ N, 21°32’ E. Its crew consisted of pilot Lt. Oskar Fuhrmann, observer Flg. Heinz Rietzsch, Onboard mechanic Ofw. Franz Bußkamp and gunner Fw. Max Muchowski. All four were KIA. 3./MSGr.1 ended the month of June with 24 aircraft. Four more Ju 52s were lost through enemy action in July. Three losses occurred on July 4th, when three pilots, 1st Lt. Walther J. Carroll Jr., Capt. Richard M. Gangel and 1st Lt. Arthur W. Kidder Jr., all of the 96th FS, 82nd FG each claimed a Ju 52 with a ring device shot down north west of Craiova, Romania. The losses were however made up and the strength of the unit remained 24 aircraft. August brought one loss due to enemy fighters, which was replaced. The only recorded loss of this unit for August, however, was due to a mine explosion. It occurred on 4 August and three men on board the aircraft died. On 25 August 3. Staffel of MSGr. 1 moved to Belgrade from Rumania. September 1944 was a disaster for the unit as 10 Ju 52/3ms were lost due to enemy action, with three more in October. The only loss we could identify occurred on 5 October, when a Ju-52/3m MS was lost at Dunaremete at km 1826 at 16:04 hours. Again, the cause was a mine explosion. The four crew were killed (pilot Ofhr. Karl Matula, radio operator Uffz. Willi Hendler, mechanic Fw. Hermann Fritsch and gunner Uffz. Franz Dreßler).

Above; Karl Matula, pilot in a Minensuchverband, killed during a Danube mine-sweeping sortie with his crew at the controls of his Ju 52 on 5 October 1944. Sterbebild, source eBay.com 

At the end of the month the unit had only eight serviceable Junkers. A Slovakian police report dated 6 October describes one of the last Ju 52 sweeps for Brtish mines in the Danube. Police officer Černý reported that since 14:20 hours every half an hour two German planes were flying low over the river up and downstream, and were fitted with big rings under the fuselage. 

Text and photos based on the book “ Gardening by Moonlight” – 205 Group RAF mining operations over the River Danube in 1944, published in 2016 by Peter Kaššák and David Gunby (David is a son of an airman, who was lost during a 'Gardening' operation over Danube). Click on the link to go to the Lulu.com 'print-on-demand' page

For more Peter Kassak posts on the Luftwaffe blog go here

Slovak Spectator article on British mines in the Danube during the summer of 2026

A Battle of Britain Emil - Oblt.Günther Schulze-Blanck

 

Unusually for a Battle of Britain Emil this Bf 109 E-4, “White 1” WNr. 963 of 4./JG 53, featured a small personal emblem under the cockpit in the form of a 'wasp'. It was regularly flown by the Staffelkapitän Oblt.Günther Schulze-Blanck. Schulze-Blanck led 4. Staffel of JG 53 during August 1940 to 9 September 1940 flying from Sempey in the Pas de Calais. During the afternoon of 9 September there were two large Luftwaffe raids on southern England and Schulze-Blanck was killed in a dogfight over Hastings. Reported MIA his body was washed ashore some two weeks later in France. In addition to the 'wasp', details of note on the Emil are the red stripe around the cowling, which was painted only in the period from the end of July 1940 to 20 November 1940. There are five victory markings on the tail fin. The first – not confirmed – was followed by claims on 13, 24, 25 and 29 August. Schulze-Blanck's last victory, returned on 6 September, does not appear here, thus dating the photo to the 29 August– 6 September time frame; the photo was taken on the airfield at Sempy in the Pas de Calais. Note the over-painted 'later 1940' mottle finish and the rear view mirror on the windshield as well as areas of white paint on the wings along with a white (?) rudder. The lower image from a recent Ebay sale shows what may have been an earlier JG 53 Emil (given the cowl 'ace of spades') also with the 'wasp' emblem below the cockpit - this 'white 11' was presumably also a 'white 1' flown by Schulze-Blanck but re-assigned to another pilot by simply adding another figure '1'...

More on the Luftwaffe Research Group and in JAPO's "German fighters in the West" (Stipdonk/Meyer, 2024)

Also on this blog; 

"rote Ringe" - red cowl bands on JG 53 Emils during the Battle of Britain

AI Overview 

Refers to the historical research by Luftwaffe historian Jochen Prien, featured on the FalkeEins Luftwaffe Blog, regarding the red stripe or "rote Ringe" cowl markings applied to Messerschmitt Bf 109 "Emil" fighters of Jagdgeschwader 53 (Pik As).

Historical Context of the Red Markings
The Order: Hermann Göring ordered the unit's famous Pik As (Ace of Spades) emblem to be covered up or replaced with a red cowl band/stripe under disputed circumstances.
Prien's Analysis: Jochen Prien's seminal 1980 study (re-examined on FalkeEins) analyzed which aircraft carried these red ring markings.

Significance: Prien concluded the red stripes likely identified command aircraft flown by formation and unit leaders (Staffelkapitän and Schwarmführer), or designated specific aircraft assigned tactical roles like Jabo (fighter-bomber) duties.

Fieseler Fi 156 Storch on offer at Eagles11.com

 

reproduced with the permission of warbird brokers Eagles11.com

"..Fieseler Storch Fi 156 C3 is now exclusively for sale with Eagles Eleven. Owned by “Historiske fly AS Ltd” this rare and very special aircraft spent ten years and over 9000 hours undergoing a meticulous full nut and bolt restoration. Currently on the Norwegian register... 

.... as LN-WNS, and with just 90 hours flown, this much loved Argus-powered Storch is now looking for a new owner with an appreciation for detail and craftsmanship..." 

 A slideshow of 'walkaround' images is available on the Eagles11 web site here