Unteroffizier Robert Reinmuth - Zerstörergeschwader 26 "Horst Wessel"
As the Royal Air Force (RAF) waged its strategic bombing campaign by night, the United States Army Air Force (USAAF) bombed European targets by day. Casualties among American bombing units were borderline catastrophic in 1942 and into 1943. Luftwaffe attacks on the daylight bombers caused massive losses as the large planes’ vulnerabilities became more and more evident. Even though heavily armed, the B-17s and B-24s of the USAAF could not combat the relentless assaults from German fighters. Only as the Americans introduced fighter escorts for some or all of their various bombing missions, did the losses decrease. By 1944, the tide had shifted. Germany was being bombed relentlessly and the Luftwaffe desperately tried to prevent it, all while suffering mounting losses of their own. Among the German airmen battling the Americans at the time was Unteroffizier Robert Reinmuth, a crewman (likely a Bordfunker) in a twin-engine fighter.
Reinmuth initially served with 8. Staffel, III. Gruppe, Zerstörergeschwader 1. His unit was primarily engaged in tactical air-to-ground missions, first as part of Schnellkampfgeschwader 210 and then as ZG1. III. Gruppe saw action in Russia and the Mediterranean theatre and was primarily armed with the Messerschmitt Bf 109 followed by the twin-engine Messerschmitt Me 210. It is unclear when Reinmuth began serving in the Gruppe but he had flown enough missions (at least 20) to qualify for the Operational Flying Class for Day Fighters in Bronze (Frontflugspange für Jäger) by March 9, 1943. Later in the year, his Gruppe took on some of the new Messerschmitt Me 410s, the newest twin-engine Messerschmitt fighter based of the designs of the Me 210 and Bf 110 before it, but suffered heavy losses in October during air combat over Germany. Partially as a result of the heavy losses suffered, III. Gruppe was re-mustered and tasked with submarine escort and convoy attacks in the Bay of Biscay. The remaining crew were equipped with the Junkers Ju88 - twin-engine bombers.
As part of an overall reconfiguration, significant parts of ZG1 were transferred to Zerstörergeschwader 26 "Horst Wessel". I./ZG1 became I./ZG26 and III./ ZG1 became II./ZG26; specifically, 8./ZG1 became 5./ZG26 – the switch that brought Reinmuth to his new assignment. At roughly the same time as the reorganization of these units, Reinmuth was honored with the Iron Cross Second Class. His award came on November 17, 1943 and was processed by Oberkommando der Luftwaffe (OKL), the Luftwaffe’s highest command. Reinmuth was probably awarded for multiple missions against the enemy throughout 1943, and possibly for specific actions as well, such as the attacks on III. Gruppe in October that caused such severe losses.
Reinmuth initially served with 8. Staffel, III. Gruppe, Zerstörergeschwader 1. His unit was primarily engaged in tactical air-to-ground missions, first as part of Schnellkampfgeschwader 210 and then as ZG1. III. Gruppe saw action in Russia and the Mediterranean theatre and was primarily armed with the Messerschmitt Bf 109 followed by the twin-engine Messerschmitt Me 210. It is unclear when Reinmuth began serving in the Gruppe but he had flown enough missions (at least 20) to qualify for the Operational Flying Class for Day Fighters in Bronze (Frontflugspange für Jäger) by March 9, 1943. Later in the year, his Gruppe took on some of the new Messerschmitt Me 410s, the newest twin-engine Messerschmitt fighter based of the designs of the Me 210 and Bf 110 before it, but suffered heavy losses in October during air combat over Germany. Partially as a result of the heavy losses suffered, III. Gruppe was re-mustered and tasked with submarine escort and convoy attacks in the Bay of Biscay. The remaining crew were equipped with the Junkers Ju88 - twin-engine bombers.
As part of an overall reconfiguration, significant parts of ZG1 were transferred to Zerstörergeschwader 26 "Horst Wessel". I./ZG1 became I./ZG26 and III./ ZG1 became II./ZG26; specifically, 8./ZG1 became 5./ZG26 – the switch that brought Reinmuth to his new assignment. At roughly the same time as the reorganization of these units, Reinmuth was honored with the Iron Cross Second Class. His award came on November 17, 1943 and was processed by Oberkommando der Luftwaffe (OKL), the Luftwaffe’s highest command. Reinmuth was probably awarded for multiple missions against the enemy throughout 1943, and possibly for specific actions as well, such as the attacks on III. Gruppe in October that caused such severe losses.
In early 1944, II. Gruppe of ZG26 was equipped with the Me 410 A-1, a variant designed for high speed bombing. However, in early February, 5. Staffel was moved to the vicinity of Munich to be reequipped with the new Me 410 A-1/U4. This particular design was primarily based on its inclusion of the Bordkannone 5, a 50-millimeter cannon designed to inflict heavy damage on Allied bombers such as the B-17 and B-24.
Development of the BK5 was driven by earlier struggles in the air over France and Germany where Allied bombers repeatedly showed an ability to fly and fight despite substantial damage from traditional air to air weaponry. Despite initial technical issues with the development of the BK5, it was pressed into service based, primarily, on the will of Hitler and Hermann Goering. Initial testing showed issues with reloading the cannon, and its first uses in combat showed that it was not nearly as effective from safe (far) distances as originally portrayed. Nonetheless, Me 410 crewman of 5. Staffel used the new weapon in combat through late February and early March as they were transferred back to their base at Hildesheim. The crews of 4. Staffel and 6. Staffel took their turns being reequipped as well.
On March 6, 1944, 5. Staffel saw its first major actions against American bombers as the 8th Air Force attacked Berlin. The Staffel suffered tremendously despite it being equipped with the new BK5, as they were intercepted by escorting Allied fighters. On March 18th, partially as an attempt to reduce exposure to Allied fighters, the II. Gruppe was transferred further east to Königsberg/Neumark, northeast of Berlin in the vicinity of the Oder River. The move began with 5. Staffel and was followed by the remaining Staffeln and crews. The Gruppe saw its first mission from its new base on April 11th and, once again, faced significant opposition from American fighters. The slower twin-engine Messerschmitts were no match for the American Mustangs and fell continuously. The men of II. Gruppe were lucky to survive their engagements with the American fighters, let alone inflict any substantial damage on the heavy bombers. Amazingly, a number of bombers were claimed to be hit, but at alarmingly high losses among the Messerschmitts. The month of May saw even more heavy fighting between the Luftwaffe and the USAAF. As the 8th Air Force’s priorities were changed in anticipation of the Allied invasion of France, numerous raids were mounted against various war related targets such as fuel-making facilities.
As June came, II. Gruppe initially saw little action as most attention in northern Europe was drawn to France for the June 6th invasion. On June 20th, however, the American bomber force returned. Various targets were pursued throughout the Reich including the fuel plant at Stetten-Pölitz on the Baltic coast. II. Gruppe was scrambled to intercept the bomber stream of B-24s from 392nd Bomb Group and heavy fighting took place. Losses were massive on both sides; over twenty aircraft were claimed by Luftwaffe fighters at the loss of eleven aircraft of their own. Two airman of the Gruppe were killed, two were reported missing, and twelve were wounded in action. Among the wounded was Reinmuth. The specifics of his injuries are unknown but he survived. He was awarded the Wound Badge in Black on June 26th by authority of his Gruppenkommandeur. Weeks later, on July 7, 1944, Unteroffizier Robert Reinmuth was awarded the Iron Cross First Class. His award was processed by Luftflotte Reich, the overall command tasked with the defense of German air space against the Allied strategic bombing campaign. His award was authorized by Generaloberst Hans-Jürgen Stumpff and was likely the result of his actions on June 20th.
Although unlikely, it is unclear if Reinmuth ever returned to duty. However, he did survive the war. His Gruppe suffered continuous losses and was ultimately annihilated. In August 1944, the survivors of the Gruppe were reorganized as part of the newly formed Jagdgeschwader 6 "Horst Wessel". The crews were switched to single-seat fighters and the BK5 armed Me 410s of the Gruppe were labeled a failure and discontinued.
Development of the BK5 was driven by earlier struggles in the air over France and Germany where Allied bombers repeatedly showed an ability to fly and fight despite substantial damage from traditional air to air weaponry. Despite initial technical issues with the development of the BK5, it was pressed into service based, primarily, on the will of Hitler and Hermann Goering. Initial testing showed issues with reloading the cannon, and its first uses in combat showed that it was not nearly as effective from safe (far) distances as originally portrayed. Nonetheless, Me 410 crewman of 5. Staffel used the new weapon in combat through late February and early March as they were transferred back to their base at Hildesheim. The crews of 4. Staffel and 6. Staffel took their turns being reequipped as well.
On March 6, 1944, 5. Staffel saw its first major actions against American bombers as the 8th Air Force attacked Berlin. The Staffel suffered tremendously despite it being equipped with the new BK5, as they were intercepted by escorting Allied fighters. On March 18th, partially as an attempt to reduce exposure to Allied fighters, the II. Gruppe was transferred further east to Königsberg/Neumark, northeast of Berlin in the vicinity of the Oder River. The move began with 5. Staffel and was followed by the remaining Staffeln and crews. The Gruppe saw its first mission from its new base on April 11th and, once again, faced significant opposition from American fighters. The slower twin-engine Messerschmitts were no match for the American Mustangs and fell continuously. The men of II. Gruppe were lucky to survive their engagements with the American fighters, let alone inflict any substantial damage on the heavy bombers. Amazingly, a number of bombers were claimed to be hit, but at alarmingly high losses among the Messerschmitts. The month of May saw even more heavy fighting between the Luftwaffe and the USAAF. As the 8th Air Force’s priorities were changed in anticipation of the Allied invasion of France, numerous raids were mounted against various war related targets such as fuel-making facilities.
As June came, II. Gruppe initially saw little action as most attention in northern Europe was drawn to France for the June 6th invasion. On June 20th, however, the American bomber force returned. Various targets were pursued throughout the Reich including the fuel plant at Stetten-Pölitz on the Baltic coast. II. Gruppe was scrambled to intercept the bomber stream of B-24s from 392nd Bomb Group and heavy fighting took place. Losses were massive on both sides; over twenty aircraft were claimed by Luftwaffe fighters at the loss of eleven aircraft of their own. Two airman of the Gruppe were killed, two were reported missing, and twelve were wounded in action. Among the wounded was Reinmuth. The specifics of his injuries are unknown but he survived. He was awarded the Wound Badge in Black on June 26th by authority of his Gruppenkommandeur. Weeks later, on July 7, 1944, Unteroffizier Robert Reinmuth was awarded the Iron Cross First Class. His award was processed by Luftflotte Reich, the overall command tasked with the defense of German air space against the Allied strategic bombing campaign. His award was authorized by Generaloberst Hans-Jürgen Stumpff and was likely the result of his actions on June 20th.
Although unlikely, it is unclear if Reinmuth ever returned to duty. However, he did survive the war. His Gruppe suffered continuous losses and was ultimately annihilated. In August 1944, the survivors of the Gruppe were reorganized as part of the newly formed Jagdgeschwader 6 "Horst Wessel". The crews were switched to single-seat fighters and the BK5 armed Me 410s of the Gruppe were labeled a failure and discontinued.
Sources:
Vasco, John, The Sting of the Luftwaffe, Schnellkampfgeschwader 210 and Zerstörergeschwader 1 "Wespengeschwader" in World War II. Schiffer Publishing Ltd., Atglen 2001
Luftwaffe Im Focus No. 17 Bad Zwischenahn
The Luftwaffe 1933-1945 http://www.ww2.dk/
Lexicon der Wehrmacht http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/inhaltsverzeichnis1.htm
Vasco, John, The Sting of the Luftwaffe, Schnellkampfgeschwader 210 and Zerstörergeschwader 1 "Wespengeschwader" in World War II. Schiffer Publishing Ltd., Atglen 2001
Luftwaffe Im Focus No. 17 Bad Zwischenahn
The Luftwaffe 1933-1945 http://www.ww2.dk/
Lexicon der Wehrmacht http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/inhaltsverzeichnis1.htm