Author Topic: Luftwaffe question re: Werner Moelders (Read 544 times)

Guppy35 · « **on:** November 29, 2003, 01:14:00 PM »

Since I find the men far more interesting than the machines, I'm curious as to what the Luftwaffe fans know about the death of Werner Moelder's and the "Moelders Letter".

I first saw it referenced in the Diarie's of Joseph Goebbels, that were edited by David Irving. I've since seen it mentioned in a couple different places.

Essentially as I understand it, the devoutly Catholic Moelders was upset at the arrest of the Bishop of Munster for protesting against the atrocities committed by the Nazi's. Moelders sent a letter of protest, along with his medals and Nazi Party membership card to Nazi Party HQ.

Shortly afterwards he died in the plane crash on the way back from Russia. Some being convinced he was killed before hand.

Any other info on this would be welcome.

On a somewhat similar note, but only found in one source, there is some suggestion that Hans Joachim Marseille faced a similar battle of conscience after learning of the Final Solution sometime after his 100th victory, and only returned to combat under threat to himself and his family.

I'm less inclined to believe that one, but the Moelder's story showing up in Goebbel's diary entries does lend it some credibility.

Dan/Slack

Crumpp · « **Reply #1 on:** November 29, 2003, 02:54:58 PM »

I don't know of any specifics regarding a conspiracy by the Nazi Party Leadership. I do know that Moelders lost all faith in the Nazi's and refused to wear any decorations of a criminal regime. He took off all his decorations and in the last weeks before his recall to Berlin did not do his job as General of Dayfighters. He only flew around visiting various squadrons and seeing the men.

gripen · « **Reply #2 on:** November 29, 2003, 07:25:53 PM »

IIRC there was something like that about Mölders on Ernst Heinkel's Memories.

gripen

Gulbert · « **Reply #3 on:** November 30, 2003, 10:56:02 AM »

"Next I decided to fake a letter allegedly written by Mölders expatiating on the doubts he and his comrades felt about fighting for the atheist Hitler... For it was in keeping with the character of young Mölders to have written such a letter. He alone could have denounced it convincingly, and he was dead - murdered, so everyone believed, by the Nazis themselves."

Sefton Delmer, Black Boomerang (pp. 139-140)

No clue if his his statements are true or not tho.

Arlo · « **Reply #4 on:** November 30, 2003, 11:17:19 AM »

Ahhh .... Delmer's "Black Propoganda." Interesting stuff, that.