The Airborne Museum Hartenstein currently has a supposedly guest book of the German Nightjagdgeschwader 1 of the Luftwaffe from the Second World War to see.
This unique copy was recently given to the museum on permanent loan by an individual who prefers to stay private.
This “guestbook” was signed by visitors of the German Nightjagdgeschwader 1 of the Luftwaffe and contains various hand-drawn cartoons and photos of people and events.
The German Nightjagdgeschwader 1 of the Luftwaffe was founded in June 1940 and was a unit of night fighters. These pilots mainly flew in the night where navigating was very difficult.
Headquarters German Nightjagdgeschwader 1
During the Second World War the night hunters were stationed at Deelen airfield. Here was also the headquarters of the unit. It is plausible that this “guestbook” was kept by a member of this headquarters.
The first registration in the book dates October 1940, the last in April 1945. Meetings of the officers from the unit were mentioned in the book, but also parties and the arrival of ‘entertainers’ from Germany.
In June 1942 the unit existed for two years. The announcement for a festive gathering in this context can be seen on the page of the open book in the Aiborne Museum.
The announcement shows how Wolfgang Falck, commander of the unit, is at his ‘nest’ in Deelen while other parts flew over Europe. In addition, a poem in which talks about the commander of the Nachtjagdgeschwader and his meeting with Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring.
Mystery
The “guestbook” was recently given to the Airborne Museum Hartenstein on permanent loan.
Sammy Roording: “We found the book, after a distant great grant aunt passed away, in an attic in Haarlem. We soon realized that it might be a unique historical piece.”
“We immediately went to the Airborne Museum for further research and advice because of their great interest, knowledge and expertise, we immediately had the idea the book is in good hands.”
“Unfortunately, it remains unclear to date how a book from Deelen in Haarlem could have ended up in an attic, but who knows that mystery will be resolved in the future.”
The “guestbook” of the Nightjagdgeschwader 1 of the Luftwaffe can be seen in the acquisition showcase of the Airborne Museum Hartenstein until August 2018.
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