REASON FOR LOSS:

Five aircraft approached the land, near the River Dart, four, carrying bombs flying line astern very low, while the fifth at 150 ft, slightly to starboard on a south westerly course, when a search light battery opened fire with light AA and this aircraft was seen to break formation with smoke coming from its engine. It hit a bank, broke up and scattered wreckage over several fields and burnt out. The other four aircraft dropped their bombs in the Torcross area.

Markings: in black, H in green, outlined in black. Camouflage; duck egg blue on the underside, with the underside of the engine cowling in yellow, along with the whole of the rudder. Engine: BMW 801. Armament: two MG 151/20 were found from the wing roots with no guns mounted over the engine. A bomb carrier marked ETC 500/12A was recovered. Equipment: four steel oxygen bottles were carried, as opposed to the normal three.

The only effects recovered from the pilot were a German and a Polish coin and his identity disc. It was later established that he was the Gruppe Adjutant.

Note; It is worth mentioning that this crash site was investigated by the Devon Aircraft Research and Recovery Team but very little was found.

A manufacturer’s label which was found at the crash site. (Parnell/Goss)

Oswald Laumann pictured first on the left during happier times. (Lewis)

Pilots certificate to Uffz. Laumann dated 8th March 1940 (Adam Lewis).

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Oswald Laumann’s pilot badge in the private collection of Adam Lewis. (Lewis)

Oswald Laumann as Leutnant. (Lewis)


Gymnastics and Sports Badge award document stamped; Dusseldorfer Aero Klub 15th May 1934 (Lewis)

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Remains of Oswald’s burnt Oberleutnant rank insignia now in the Lewis collection (Adam Lewis)

Death notice for Oswald Laumann. (Adam Lewis)

In remembrance of Luftwaffe Oberleutnant.

Assessor Dr. Oswald Laumann, who gave his young life for the fatherland during a mission over England on 23rd March 1943. He was born in Berlin on March 11th 1915 as son of Heinrich Laumann and his wife Elly, born Lingenbrick.

He spent his youth in Duesseldorf-Oberkassel. After completion of secondary school (Comenius Gymnasium) he started studying law in Freiburg and made his degree in Cologne in Spring 1939. His interest and delight in flying already started during his early days in school. He served as a pilot for his fatherland from the first day of war until his death.

His life was covered with happiness and love to his parents and brothers and sisters; the more he was saddened of the early death of his younger sister five years ago. His direct and open mind made him a beloved fellow to his teachers, senior officers, friends and comrades. He was an upright catholic and son of his church. His promising life found an end much too early.

We ask for a common prayer for our beloved deceased, Parents and his both sisters

Duesseldorf-Oberkassel 1943

Translaled from the German (Rabeder)

Burial details:

Oswald Laumann's remains were claimed by his family in June 1962, and reburied in Field 012, Grave 0453 in Heerdt Friedhof, Düsseldorf.

The parents of Oswald Laumann pictured in 1938. (Adam Lewis)

Heerdt Friedhof Dusseldorf (Net)

Researched by Melvin Brownless A.R. society. Special thanks to Adam Lewis, and Joe Potter for their great contribution to this page, also thanks to Harry Rabeder for translation. Updated March 2015

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