Military Career
Joachim Helbig was born on 10 September 1915 on the estate called Börln, which is located in Dahlen, Saxony. He grew up in the countryside and was very fond of horse back riding. He volunteered for military service in 1935 and initially served one year with the Artillerieregiment 4 (4th Artillery Regiment) in Dresden. In the fall of 1936, he transferred to the Kampffliegerschule (Combat or Bomber Flying School) in Lechfeld. After completing his training as an observer and aerial gunner in April 1937, he was posted with III. Gruppe (3rd Group) Kampfgeschwader (Bomber Wing) 152 "Hindenburg" in Schwerin. III./KG 152 "Hindenburg" became II. Group of Lehrgeschwader 1 (1st Demonstration Wing) on 1 November 1938, where he started his informal pilot training.
His two friends, Oberleutnant Fritz Sohler and Oberleutnant Gerhard Schröder, taught "Observer" Helbig to fly and he earned his Luftwaffe Advanced Pilot's Certificate (Erweiterter Luftwaffen-Flugzeugführerschein), also known as 'C'-Certificate, confirming proficiency on multi-engine aircraft. Helbig's informal training was unique in the entire Luftwaffe bomber force.
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