Oblt. Armin Faber, Stab III./ JG 2 - was he 'disorientated', did he get 'lost' or did he just 'defect' ?

 

Is there anybody visiting this blog who isn't familiar with the different versions of the Armin Faber 'story' and how the British were 'gifted' a brand new example of the Fw 190 on 23 June 1942. The unlucky pilot was Oblt. Armin Faber who after shooting down Sgt. František Trejtnar over the Bristol - and not the English - Channel, apparently became disorientated and by mistake landed his machine at RAF Pembrey in south Wales. Observers on the ground could not believe their eyes as Faber did three victory rolls, lowered the Focke-Wulf's undercarriage while inverted and following a quick half-roll made a perfect landing into British hands...or so the story goes.

That evening elements of III./JG 2 - 7. and 9. Staffel  - were at three-minute readiness and playing handball at their dispersal at 'Maupertus' - according to Faber's interrogation report. They were ordered up to intercept the RAF's Perranporth and Exeter Wings (312 and 313 Sqds led by W/Cmdr Vasatko) flying escort for six Bostons on a RAMROD raid on Morlaix airfield. In the fighting Oberleutnant Egon Mayer, Staffekapitän of 7./Jagdgeschwader 2, claimed his 47th and 48th victories. Elsewhere the 26-year old Oblt. Armin Faber - III. Gruppe Adjutant and former instructor at Werneuchen with around 1,000 hours in his logbook - was flying on his 18th combat sortie. He had got airborne some three minutes late after a fellow pilot returned with engine problems..and 90 minutes later touched down at RAF Pembrey, apparently 'lost' and running out of fuel. Fellow pilot Uffz. Willi Reuschling had already shot down a Whirlwind and a Hudson before he collided with Vasatko's Spitfire and was also taken captive that evening. When he heard of Faber's landing he reputedly said, " that is the sort of bloody stupid thing he would do..!".

Philip Hawes on his YT channel 'Caliban Rising' has done a good job of explaining the Armin Faber story on his YT channel using primary sources such as the pilot's own interrogation report.

"..In this video, I delve into the remarkable incident of JG 2 pilot Armin Faber, who unexpectedly landed his Focke-Wulf FW 190 in Pembrey, Wales AKA the "Pembrey Incident". But the story you know might not be the whole truth.

I'll begin by exploring the popular narrative: a daring pilot, a dramatic chase, and a landing that handed the Allies a priceless war asset. But, as I dig deeper, I uncover a more complex and compelling version of events.

Relying on primary sources and a personal conversation with a close friend of Armin Faber, I challenge long-standing assumptions to reveal a narrative steeped in historical accuracy yet overlooked by many.

So, come along as I debunk myths, present facts, and add a touch of my own brand of humor to this puzzling tale. Get ready to see this WWII enigma through a new lens in an academically sound yet engaging format. It's time to rethink what we thought we knew about the Pembrey incident!.."

A single click to view here