REASON FOR LOSS:

Started from Paris - Buc on a reconnaissance mission over the eastern portion of the English Channel. The aircraft was flying at low level in thick mist when it crashed into a hillside at a shallow angle and scattered wreckage over a wide area. Markings: 4U+GH was found painted on a flame damper although identification lettering have never been found on this unit before.

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Pilot; Robert Beeg – Killed (Brownless)

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Radio/Op: Horst Schwarz – Killed (Brownless)

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Gunner; Rudi Schorler – Killed (Brownless)

Observer; Werner Möbius (Brownless)

In December 1942, the 1 Staffel received a letter from Werner Möbius...

Hochverehrter Herr Hauptmann!

When a few days ago I received my first mail, I was particularly pleased to find greetings from Herr Hauptmann (Goebel) and therefore from the Staffel, for which I thank Herr Hauptmann respectfully. I have reported immediately the receipt of the EK.1 (Iron Cross 1st Class) to me to the camp commander Hauptmann Gumbart. The medal was pinned on to my tunic during a brief ceremony. I even received the three „Hurrahs“ as customary in our Staffel. I left hospital a few weeks ago, I am reasonably well. The last flesh wound healed a couple of days ago, but I still need a walking stick as my left foot is still in plaster.

Now the events of the 25th August. We had reached the vicinity of the Isle of Wight, when we noticed a veil of mist that looked a bit suspicious, so we decided to go closer and investigate. We were just inside the first mist cloud when the Isle of Wight was right next to us! For reasons of safety, Leutnant Beeg climbed immediately high up above the Isle and, still within the mist, we made for home. What happened next was just a matter of seconds. I heard a surprised frightened exclamation from our Radio/Op Unteroffizier Schwarz and had a queer sensation then of slipping down to the left. After that I feel unconscious, apparently for a long period. On waking I found myself on the ground approximately 10m behind the machine. It was not possible for me to examine our plane, - the starboard engine was on fire – I was unable to move as both of my legs were broken. That is all I can remember of the happenings of the 25th August.

Even though, because of mail restrictions I will not be able to write often, every message from my Staffel would please me greatly. I have another request: Whatever is left of my uniform is completely in shreds with the exception of my fur flying boots. So as not to be forced to prance around in the prisoner of war uniform – reddish with coloured dots! Can the Herr Hauptmann arrange for a new uniform to be sent to me? I wish the Staffel furthermore good success’s with warrior’s luck. To the crews a loud and forceful „Hals und Beinbruch“. With the request to pass on to the Herren Officers and all the comrades my very, very best greetings and I remain, Herr Hauptmann, your devoted comrade.

Signed Möbius

Burial detail: Deutsche Soldatenfriedhof Cannock Chase, England.

Robert Beeg – Block 8 Grave 1

Horst Schwarz – Block 7 Grave 250

Rudi Schorler – Block 8 Grave 22

Researched and compiled by Melvin Brownless with special thanks to Armin Goebel and Fritz Schlichting for their help in constructing this page, August 2013.

The British Library is preserving this site for the future in the UK Web Archive at www.webarchive.org.uk All Aircrew Remembered on our Remembrance pages, are therefor not just remembered here, but also subsequently remembered and recorded as part of our nation’s history
and heritage at The British Library.