Erich was a Obergefreiter in the Luftwaffe and served as a Radio Operator. The card states he went on a mission with his combat squadron over London and was killed in action on March 22 1944. Based on the date he would have been involved in Operation Steinbock. He is buried in England. Unfortunately I don’t have much info on his specific unit, plane type etc. I’ve hit some roadblocks with researching him.
Quite a bit on the internet Detailansicht Kriegsopfer 1914-1918 und 1939-1945 CWGC Erich Schiml | War Casualty Details 7510383 | CWGC Aircrew Remembered https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1665520503788822&id=611611449179738 Ross
The middle link I had found previously but didn’t give much info. The 3rd link though gives me everything. Thank you so much.
The rather unusual family name made me looking for other Schimls. Found one in Regensburg/Bavaria, who worked for Infinion Technologies. May be the same family, this is turning into a really interesting post. Stefan.
Have spoken to another Erich Schiml in Maxhütte- Haidhof, but no luck. I assume, the information you found was provided by the right family, which is common practice, especially in South Germany. Stefan.
As I said, a really interesting thread. Thanks for adding the link to that other internet site. Stefan.
From Findagrave:- Photocredit:-Buttershap The official loss report states: Ju 188 3E+BK, Operations in the West, 22 Mar 44. Missing from an attack on London. 2/KG 6 Lt Guenter Lahl (pilot) Uffz Julius Fromm (observer) Ogefr Erich Schiml (radio operator) Uffz Rudolf Budrat (gunner) Uffz Erwin Kosch (gunner). Mosquito crew were directed to a contact, which was Ju 188 E-1 3E+BK of 2./KG 6 (Leutnant G. Lahl). Mosquito chased e/a through tight turns and steep climbs before firing multiple bursts from 250 yards astern. E/A crashed and exploded near Butlers Farm, Shopland, Essex, with four crew KIA and one POW. Aces High gives the location as Great Wakering. Kyle
The four Luftwaffe casualties must have been buried local to Shopland on their deaths before their remains were transferred to the newly created German consolidated military cemetery at Cannock Chase which opened in 1967 The construction of Cannock Chase German Military Cemetery followed the Anglo/West German 1959 Agreement to consolidate each others war dead in cemeteries of the country of death.
