He115 Convoy PQ17 query
 

Hi guys

Perusing the book PQ17 Convoy to Hell (Lund & Ludlam) I noticed reference to a seaplane (presumably a He115) alighting near the abandoned freighter Paulus Potter, the seaplane crew climbing aboard, whereon they found the ship's code books and other secret documents that should have been destroyed (circa July 1942).

Can anyone confirm the above and provide additional details, please? Perhaps the incident is recorded in German records?

Cheers
Brian

Re: He115 Convoy PQ17 query
 

From the book by David Irving "The Destruction of Convoy PQ-17" page 349 "Finally, early on 13 July, Commander Reinhard Reche radioed that he had found a deserted and drifting freighter about six hundred miles north of Murmansk -Dutch Paulus Potter, still afloat eight days after being bombed and brought to a stop. Reche's signal added, "Papers salvaged"." Nothing about a seaplane. Reche was the C.O. of U-255.

Re: He115 Convoy PQ17 query
 

Hi Nokose

Yes, I was aware of the vessel's fate etc and U-255's involvement, but is it not correct that the crew of a He115 had inspected it previously?

Cheers
Brian

Re: He115 Convoy PQ17 query
 

Irving's book mentioned the code books and future convoy information was recovered by U-255 on the same page but nothing about a previous boarding that I recall.