What became of Mertens?

[hebog5]

Most of us know what became of Erich Hartmann after the war, but I have often wondered what became of his mechanic Heinz Mertens.

I have been unable to find anything about him post war. Did he survive and remain friends with Hartmann?

Does anyone know? 

[Sowercrowd]

According toTolliver/Constable,  they had contact after the war in 1956 when Hartmann called Mertens  to persuade him to join the newly established West German Air Force.

They hadn't had any contact for 11 years and Mertens almost dropped the phone when Hartmann suddenly called...

But Mertens had a good position in the municipal water supply in Düsseldorf and was father of two children and Hartmann recognized that Mertens wouldn't trade that in and so Hartmann didn't ask him in the end.

[hebog5]

Hello Sowercrowd,

Only just seen your answer to my question.

I thank you very much as I had all but given up hope of finding anything about him.

Nice to know that Mertens too got over the war and carried on with life.

Much appreciated.