Paul Bley

Born

 14 October 1918 at Oldendorf, Germany

Died

28 October 1944

Allegiance

Nazi Germany

Service/branch

Balkenkreuz (Iron Cross) Luftwaffe     

Years of service

1938–45      

Rank

 Balkenkreuz (Iron Cross)  Oberleutnant 

Unit

 Zerstörergeschwader 26 "Horst Wessel", EKdo 262, Kdo Nowotny

Battles/wars

Eastern Front

Awards

Balkenkreuz (Iron Cross)   Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse

 

 

Paul Bley
ZG26

Paul Bley was born on 14 October 1918 at Oldendorf. He joined the Luftwaffe at the outbreak of World War 2 initially serving in a ground role. In January 1940, Bley commenced flying training with Fliegerausbildungs-Regiment 33. On 23 November 1942, Bley was posted to ZG 26, based in Sicily flying Bf 110 Zerstörer twin-engine fighters. Leutnant Bley was assigned to 8./ZG 26. He was particularly successful against USAAF P-38 twin-engine fighters claiming at least five of the type in early 1943, including two on 2 February and a further two on 5 April. Later, Bley was appointed Staffelkapitän of 9./ZG 26, based at Konigsberg-Neumark. On 15 May 1944, Oberleutnant Bley was ordered to join the newly formed Erprobungskommando 262 at Lechfeld in Germany for conversion to the Me 262 jet fighter. However, at the end of May, the formation of Erprobungskommando 262 was seriously disrupted when Hitler decided to deploy the Me 262 as a high-speed bomber. Bley was deployed as an acceptance and delivery pilot based at Leipheim. On 26 September, Erprobungskommando 262 was disbanded to become Kommando Nowotny. Bley was appointed Staffelkapitän of 2./Kdo Nowotny. On 7 October, Bley participated in an interception of USAAF B-24 four-engine bombers attacking Magdeberg. In the ensuing engagement, escorting USAAF P-51 fighters shot him down. Bley safely baled out of his stricken Me 262 A-1a (W.Nr. 170 307) near Achmer. It is thought that his victor was American ace Lieutenant Urban Drew (6 confirmed and 1 damaged victory) of 361 FG, USAAF. On 10 October, Bley claimed his first victory in the jet, when he shot down a USAAF P-51 fighter. However, on 12 October, Bley was required to make a forced-landing in Me 262 A-1a (W.Nr. 110 388) near Steenwijk when he ran out of fuel. On 28 October 1944, Bley was killed in Me 262 A-1a (W.Nr. 110 388) when he lifted off too late on take-off and struck a steam pile driver. His aircraft crashed and exploded.

 

Paul Bley was credited with at least nine victories. He recorded at least one victory flying the Me 262 jet fighter. Included in his total are five P-38`s.

Victories Achieved:

Oberleutnant Paul Bley was credited with at least nine victories (10). He recorded at least one victory and possibly 2 flying the Messershmitt Me 262 jet fighter.

Included in his total are 6 victories flying the Messerschmitt Bf 110 over the Mediterranean/North Afrika Theatre, and five P-38 Lightnings.

From the Magnus Report, his victory count may be higher

Paul Bley
he was awarded with the Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse

He joined the Luftwaffe at the outbreak of World War 2 initially serving in a ground role. In January 1940, Bley commenced flying training with Fliegerausbildungs - Regiment 33.

On 23 November 1942, Bley was posted to ZG 26, based in Sicily flying Bf 110 Zerstörer twin-engine fighters. Leutnant Bley was assigned to 8./ZG 26.

He was particularly successful in combat flying his Bf 110 (coded 3U+AT) against USAAF P-38 Lightning twin-engine fighters, claiming at least five of the type in early 1943, including two on 2 February 1943 and a further two on 5 April 1943

Later, Oberleutnant Bley was appointed Staffelkapitän of 9./ZG 26, based at Konigsberg-Neumark.

Bf 110G-2; coded '3U+AT', flown by Oblt. Paul Bley, Staffelkapitän of 9./ZG 26, Wunstorf, spring 1944

On 15 May 1944, Oberleutnant Bley was ordered to join the newly formed Erprobungskommando 262 at Lechfeld in Germany, for conversion to the Messershmitt Me 262 jet fighter.

However, at the end of May 1944, the formation of Erprobungskommando 262 was seriously disrupted when Hitler decided to deploy the Me 262 as a high-speed bomber.

Bley was deployed as an acceptance and delivery pilot based at Leipheim.

On 26 September 1944, Erprobungskommando 262 was disbanded to become Kommando Nowotny.

Oberleutnant Bley was appointed Staffelkapitän of 1./Kdo Nowotny.

 Nowotny’s Kommando was established with a Stab of four aircraft, together with three Staffeln, each with a nominal strength of 16 Messerschmitt Me 262s.

As an adjutant, Nowotny was assigned Oberleutnant Günther Wegmann, who had served as adjutant to Geyer, with Hauptmann Streicher as Technical Officer.

The 1. Staffel was led by Oberleutnant Paul Bley, while commanding 2. Staffel was Oberleutnant Alfred Teumer, with Hauptmann Georg-Peter Eder leading 3. Staffel.

On 7 October 1944, Bley participated in an interception of USAAF B-24 four-engine bombers attacking Magdeberg.

In the ensuing engagement, escorting USAAF P-51 fighters shot him down.

As Oberleutnant Bley, Leutnant Gerhard Kobert and Oberfähnrich Heinz Russel prepared to take-off, a P-51D from the 361st FG, piloted by ace 1Lt Urban L Drew, swooped down from 5000 metres to open fire on the Me 262s just taking off.

Russel’s aircraft collapsed under the American’s machine gun fire, Kobert’s aircraft blew up and Bley’s machine crashed, but he was able to bale out.

Bley safely baled out of his stricken Me 262 A-1a (W.Nr. 170 307) near Achmer.

However, on 12 October 1944, after claiming his 10th victory, Bley was required to make a forced-landing in Me 262 A-1a (W.Nr. 110 388) near Steenwijk when he ran out of fuel.

On 28 October 1944, Bley was killed in Messerschmitt Me 262 A-1a (W.Nr. 110 388) when he lifted off too late on take-off and struck a steam pile driver at the end of the runway.

His aircraft crashed and exploded.

Photogallery Paul Bley
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