First build of the new year for me and I'm liking this kit ,lots of pe goodies and a mask for the canopy. I've decided to use the markings for Hptm. Wilhelm Johnen of 7./NJG6
Wilhelm "Wim" Johnen
Hauptmann
Wilhelm “Wim” Johnen was born on 9 October 1921 at Homberg in Niederrhein. In June 1941, Johnen was posted to NJG 1. Leutnant Johnen was assigned to 3./NJG 1. He gained his first victory on the night of 26/27 March 1942, when he shot down a RAF Wellington twin-engine bomber. He then attacked a RAF Stirling four-engine bomber but his Bf 110 D-3 (W.Nr. 4224) “G9+FL” was hit by return fire from the bomber’s gunners killing his crewman and wounding Johnen in the left leg. Johnen managed to bale out of the burning aircraft. He was to spend a considerable time in hospital for treatment to his burns and wounded leg. He returned to combat duty in July 1942. On 1 October, 3./NJG 1 was redesignated 1./NJG 5. In December, 1./NJG 5 was redesignated 5./NJG 5. Johnen recorded seven victories during 1943. In January 1944, he added a further seven victories, including three RAF Lancaster four-engine bombers on the night of 27/28 January to record his 13th through 15th victories. He downed a further three Lancasters on the night of 15/16 February (16-18). On 3 March 1944, Johnen was appointed Staffelkapitän of 6./NJG 5. On the night of 27/28 April, Johnen shot down a RAF Lancaster four-engine bomber. He and his crew then made contact with another over Lake Constance heading west for Switzerland. Johnen attacked the Lancaster but his Bf 110 G-4 (W.Nr. 740 055) “C9+EN” received hits in the encounter setting the port engine alight. Coned by Swiss searchlights and with a dead engine Johnen was obliged to land at the Swiss airfield at Zürich-Dubendorf. Johnen and his crew were interned only to be repatriated some days later amid much political manoeuvering. Johnen was appointed Staffelkapitän of 8./NJG 6 on 10 May 1944 based in Hungary. In a little over two months, Johnen added 11 victories to his tally, including four Russian Mitchell twin-engine bombers. Oberleutnant Johnen was awarded the Ritterkreuz on 23 July for 33 victories. In autumn 1944, Johnen was appointed Gruppenkommandeur of III./NJG 6. He led the unit until the end of the war. Post-war, Johnen attended university and gained an Engineering degree. In 1952 he worked with Professor Willi Messerschmitt before taking up construction engineering, successfully running his own business. Johnen died on 7 February 2002 at Überlingen.
“Wim” Johnen was credited with 34 victories in over 200 missions. All his victories were recorded at night. Included in his victory total are 24 four-engine bombers.
NoDateTimeA/c TypeUnitLocation / Comments1
Awards : Ehrenpokal (20 March 1943)
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold (23 July 1944)
Ritterkreuz (29 October 1944)
Units : NJG 1, NJG 5, NJG 6
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Wilhelm "Wim" Johnen
Hauptmann
Wilhelm “Wim” Johnen was born on 9 October 1921 at Homberg in Niederrhein. In June 1941, Johnen was posted to NJG 1. Leutnant Johnen was assigned to 3./NJG 1. He gained his first victory on the night of 26/27 March 1942, when he shot down a RAF Wellington twin-engine bomber. He then attacked a RAF Stirling four-engine bomber but his Bf 110 D-3 (W.Nr. 4224) “G9+FL” was hit by return fire from the bomber’s gunners killing his crewman and wounding Johnen in the left leg. Johnen managed to bale out of the burning aircraft. He was to spend a considerable time in hospital for treatment to his burns and wounded leg. He returned to combat duty in July 1942. On 1 October, 3./NJG 1 was redesignated 1./NJG 5. In December, 1./NJG 5 was redesignated 5./NJG 5. Johnen recorded seven victories during 1943. In January 1944, he added a further seven victories, including three RAF Lancaster four-engine bombers on the night of 27/28 January to record his 13th through 15th victories. He downed a further three Lancasters on the night of 15/16 February (16-18). On 3 March 1944, Johnen was appointed Staffelkapitän of 6./NJG 5. On the night of 27/28 April, Johnen shot down a RAF Lancaster four-engine bomber. He and his crew then made contact with another over Lake Constance heading west for Switzerland. Johnen attacked the Lancaster but his Bf 110 G-4 (W.Nr. 740 055) “C9+EN” received hits in the encounter setting the port engine alight. Coned by Swiss searchlights and with a dead engine Johnen was obliged to land at the Swiss airfield at Zürich-Dubendorf. Johnen and his crew were interned only to be repatriated some days later amid much political manoeuvering. Johnen was appointed Staffelkapitän of 8./NJG 6 on 10 May 1944 based in Hungary. In a little over two months, Johnen added 11 victories to his tally, including four Russian Mitchell twin-engine bombers. Oberleutnant Johnen was awarded the Ritterkreuz on 23 July for 33 victories. In autumn 1944, Johnen was appointed Gruppenkommandeur of III./NJG 6. He led the unit until the end of the war. Post-war, Johnen attended university and gained an Engineering degree. In 1952 he worked with Professor Willi Messerschmitt before taking up construction engineering, successfully running his own business. Johnen died on 7 February 2002 at Überlingen.
“Wim” Johnen was credited with 34 victories in over 200 missions. All his victories were recorded at night. Included in his victory total are 24 four-engine bombers.
NoDateTimeA/c TypeUnitLocation / Comments1
26.3.1942
23:30Wellington3./NJG 1Essen217.6.1942
1:00Wellington3./NJG 1Holland322.6.1943
1:43Halifax3./NJG 15km E Roosendaal422.6.1943
2:33Wellington3./NJG 1NWHaamstede525.6.1943
1:01Halifax3./NJG 13km N Rosenburg624.8.1943
1:03Stirling5./NJG 5NW Berlin724.8.1943
1:08Halifax5./NJG 5WNW Berlin81.9.1943
0:58Lancaster5./NJG 530km SW Berlin93.1.1944
2:56Lancaster5./NJG 520km SW Berlin103.1.1944
3:16Lancaster5./NJG 570km SW Berlin116.1.1944
3:27Lancaster5./NJG 5Near Tütos1220.1.1944
19:36Lancaster5./NJG 5NNW Berlin1327.1.1944
20:36Lancaster5./NJG 5SSE Berlin1427.1.1944
20:57Lancaster5./NJG 5SSE Berlin1527.1.1944
21:17Lancaster5./NJG 5SW Berlin1615.2.1944
20:34Viermot5./NJG 5SE Damgarten1715.2.1944
20:44Lancaster5./NJG 5UF1815.2.1944
21:20Lancaster5./NJG 5NNW Berlin1928.4.1944
1:31Lancaster6./NJG 5Near Besançon2026.6.1944
0:22Wellington8./NJG 6SE Hungary / Wellington X (LN748) “E” of the 205th BG217.7.1944
1:17Wellington8./NJG 67km N St Polten227.7.1944
1:25Wellington8./NJG 6S Pyhra2311.8.1944
2:08Mitchell8./NJG 6SE Hungary2415.8.1944
22:59Mitchell8./NJG 6SE Hungary2521.8.1944
22:42Mitchell8./NJG 6SE Hungary2622.8.1944
22:23Halifax8./NJG 613km S Szombor / Halifax II of the 614 Sq 205 BG2726.8.1944
21:53Halifax8./NJG 6SE Hungary / Halifax II of the 1586 Flight 205 BG (Polish crew)2826.8.1944
22:30Mitchell8./NJG 6SE Hungary2927.8.1944
21:50Halifax8./NJG 6SE Hungary / Halifax II of the 1586 Flight 205 BG (Polish crew)3028.8.1944
22:12Halifax8./NJG 6SE Hungary3110.9.1944
22:38Halifax8./NJG 6SE Hungary / probably Liberator VI of the 1586 Flight 205 BG3213.9.1944
21:30Halifax8./NJG 6SE Hungary / probably Liberator VI of the 1586 Flight 205 BG3321.9.1944
20:32Halifax8./NJG 6SE Hungary / probably Liberator VI of the 31 Sq 205 BG3416.3.1945
2:45LancasterStab III./NJG 615km SE Würzburg Victories : 34Awards : Ehrenpokal (20 March 1943)
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold (23 July 1944)
Ritterkreuz (29 October 1944)
Units : NJG 1, NJG 5, NJG 6
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