Members of the RAD (Reich Labour Service) prepare to clear the wreckage of what is reported to be Hauptmann Werner Mölders’ second kill during World War II, a Blenheim IV of No 18 Sqn that he brought down over the Moselle on 30 October 1939. The aeroplane, flown by Flg Off Denis Elliot, crashed near Küsserath, nine miles east-northeast of Trier. Its three-man crew was killed.
By the end of 1939 future Luftwaffe ace Werner Mölders had shot down three aircrafts, including III. Gruppe’s first victory in the form of a Blenheim IV of No 18 Sqn on 30 October 1939. Making the most
of a break in the weather, he was at the head of the Gruppenschwarm, leading 12 Emils of 9. Staffel on patrol, when enemy reconnaissance aircraft were reported in the Bitburg-Merzig area.
‘I noticed flak activity near Trier,’ Mölders later recalled. ‘I closed up to within 50 m of the enemy machine undetected and could quite clearly see the British roundels. I opened fire from the shortest range possible. There was no return fire from the rear gunner and the left engine emitted a thick cloud of white smoke, which quickly changed to black. As I pulled up alongside it, the aircraft was completely on fire. I observed a parachute, but it appeared to be smouldering. The Blenheim crashed near Klüsserath, on the River Moselle.’
The Blenheim IV, flown by Flg Off Denis Elliot, crashed near Küsserath, nine miles east-northeast of Trier. Its three-man crew was killed.
Source :
"Jagdgeschwader 53 'Pik'As' Bf 109 Aces of 1940" by Chris Goss and Chris Davey
Men of RAD (Reichsarbeitsdienst) are shown around one of the Heinkel He 51 biplanes at Döberitz - presumably aircraft of Jagdgruppe / Fliegergruppe Döberitz. The He 51 was produced between 1934 and 1937, starting 1936 was partly replaced by the Arado Ar 68 and starting 1937 extensively replaced by the Messerschmitt Bf 109 as a Luftwaffe standard fighter aircraft. At this time, the Fliegergeschwader Döberitz received the distinction "Richthofen", but received the final name "JG 2 Richthofen" only on 1 May 1939, under which it later participated in the Second World War.
