Coding for 3./506
 

I thought that the unit code for Küstenfliegergruppe 506 was S4+ but I have a /506 KTB report for 3rd June 1941 stating that He111 of 3./506 (and coded BK+CO) carried out a torpedo attack in the North Sea. Any comments?

Bill Norman (website: www.billnorman.co.uk)

Re: Coding for 3./506
 

Obviously still using its factory codes?

Re: Coding for 3./506
 

He111 really ???


Rémi

Re: Coding for 3./506
 

BK+CO is H-5 3891

Still in the inventory in 1943

Rémi

Re: Coding for 3./506
 

3./506 began conversion from He 115 to Ju 88 on 09.06.1941 at Westerland on the island of Sylt. What this He 111 did on unit strength I can not explain. Can anyone else ??

Re: Coding for 3./506
 

ah..my mistake. Words like 'egg', 'face' , 'on' and 'my' spring to mind! Should have stated He115 coded BK+CO. Does Chris's explanation still hold?

Re: Coding for 3./506
 

Sure it does, but the code is for an He111 ...

Re: Coding for 3./506
 

Iinformation has come to hand to shed a little more light - perhaps? The initial instruction was for 3 x He115 to transfer from List to Großenbrode 'for a special operation'. However, 3hrs after their arrival they were - for some unknown reason - instructed to return to List. Shortly after that, BK+CO ( specifically stated as He111) of 3./506 was transferred from Großenbrode to Westerland, from where it subsequently made an attack on the designated ship with 2 x torpedoes and a number of bombs. For this operation BK+CO is regularly referred to in the KTB as being an He111. It is even mentioned in the crew's debrief. There seems to be no doubt that He111 was the type. The crew of the ship that was attacked described their assailant merely as 'Heinkel' - but their description of the form of the attack mirrors the description given by BK+CO's BO. Any more comments?

Re: Coding for 3./506
 

Training ??

Re: Coding for 3./506
 

Unlikely: the target was an aircraft carrier.

Re: Coding for 3./506
 

In the KTB of F.f.Luft West for the period 01.06.41 - 15.06.41 the story is told. The convoy including this aircraft carrier was detected along the east coast of Britain by recce aircraft on June 2, 1941. The only available aircraft were the Ju 88's (bombs only) of 1./506 operating out of Westerland airfield on Sylt island. At the same time crews of 3./506 were ordered there to convert from He 115 to Ju 88. As no torpedo aircraft was available through normal channels, it was decided to use three He 111 aircraft which were at the Torpedoschule Grossenbrode. Three crews of 3./506 were flown there to take over the aircraft and carry out a torpedo attack against the convoy. However, only one aircraft was made serviceable and transferred to Westerland. From here it carried out the attack with take-off at 20.58 on 02.06.41 and landing at 01.32 on 03.06.41. The aircraft is reffered to as "B" 3./506, this being the first letter of the Stammkennzeichen. After completion of this operation the He 111 was returned to Grossenbrode at 13.44 hours on 03.06.41.

Re: Coding for 3./506
 

Seaplanes. Excellent. Thank you.

Re: Coding for 3./506
 

Always an explanation thks bjorn, usually with the unit code the letter given , refers to the third letter , in that case quite different indeed

Mid-41 nd no torpedo-plane available....

Remi

Re: Coding for 3./506
 

Seaplanes, you have a PM.

BN (website: www.billnorman.co.uk)