NSFK personnel files

[Art Sylvie]

Does anyone know where the NSFK personnel files are archived? I have consulted the 1945 NSFK SHAEF handbook, but it is incomplete.
Help would be appreciated.
Art Sylvie

[Richard T Eger]

Dear Art,

Have you checked the on-line search engine at NARA and, especially RG 242? The page for RG 242 is at http://www.nara.gov/guide/rg242.html .

I didn't see it listed there in my quick look. I'm not totally thrilled with the on-line search tools, so it might be worthwhile giving NARA II at College Park, MD, a call and talk to an archivist familiar with the captured German WW II material.

See also comments under topic titled "Studies on Nazi Party & para-mil. orgns., incl. the NSFK at the Army Mil. Hist. Inst." below.

The personnel records, however, could well be in Germany. Check the "Archives in Germany" forum. These may be at the Berlin Documents Center. Working in reverse, we might also have copies of the Berlin Documents Center records in the U.S., which probably brings you back to the NARA II.

Regards,
Richard

[This message has been edited by Richard T Eger (edited 12 April 2002).]

[Art Sylvie]

Richard:
Thank you for the reply. In the days of Robert Wolfe, the National Archives was quite helpful. My conversations with Amy Schmidt usually result in little or no help. She doesn't think the National Archives have the NSFK membership files. I have checked the Bundesarchiv with no luck. I am looking for the 1938-1940 NSFK senior personnel files for Austria. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Art Sylvie

[Todd Martin]

Dear Mr. Sylvie:
In the NARA Reich Air Ministry microfilm T177/46/3737493-506, is a copy of the 20 June 1938 edition of Flug und Werft, the Deutsche Arbeitsfront aviation publication. This contains an article on the annual glider model competition at the Wasserkuppe attended by a number of the members of the Austrian NSFK, newly designated as NSFK-Gruppe 17. Herr Lang of this gruppe won 1st prize for a model flight duration of 19 1/2 minutes. Also, in this same issue of the magazine, an NSFK-Obertruppfuhrer named Kraft of the Reichsschule fur Segelflugsport, Hornberg, is mentioned as setting a world's record in gliding, a record subsequently broken by Hanna Reitsch.
In the 15 August 1938 issue of the same publication (T177/46/3737523-536), a number of NSFK members are mentioned in a story about a long distance glider competition, June 30 - July 10, 1938: Schmidt and Beck, Gruppe 15, Reukauf, Gruppe 9, Wagner, Gruppe 6 and Fick of Gruppe 2. Hanna Reitsch also won this competition. In another story in the same issue, a Klugkapitan Dreschel of NSFK "Lufthansa" is shown in a photo seated in a glider cockpit at the Wasserkuppe competition July 24 - August, 1938.
In the 19 September 1938 issue of Flug und Werft (T177/37375
39-552), there is a report of two members of NSFK Gruppe 17 (Ostmark), Kahlbacher and Tauschegg, setting a world's 2-man glider record of 23 hours, 39 minutes on September 6-7, 1938.
Also, in the Volkischer Beobachter, May 14, 1938, is a story on the NSFK Deutschlandflug 1938 to be held May 22-28. 390 aircraft from 15 different verbande flying to Vienna. The different types of aircraft include the Kl 25, Bu 131B, FW 44, He 72, Kl35, Me 35 and Ar 79. A photo of Generalleutnant Christiansen is featured.
Best wishes, Todd Martin
toddemartin@gtmc.net