Oberleutnant
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.
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1.2.1943
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P-38 | 8./ZG 26 | - |
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2.2.1943
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P-38 | 8./ZG 26 | - |
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2.2.1943
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P-38 | 8./ZG 26 | - |
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5.4.1943
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P-38 | 8./ZG 26 | - |
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5.4.1943
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P-38 | 8./ZG 26 | - |
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22.2.1944
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B-17 | 9./ZG 26 | not confirmed |
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8.3.1944
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B-17 | 9./ZG 26 | not confirmed |
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8.3.1944
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P-51 | 9./ZG 26 | Burg b. Magdeburg |
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10.10.1944
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P-51 | 1./Kdo Nowotny | - |
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12.10.1944
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P-51 | 1./Kdo Nowotny | Possibly Spitfire of 341 Sqn, RAF – not confirmed |
Victories : 9
Awards :
Units : ZG 26, EKdo 262, Kdo Nowotny
