Lost Heinkel III near Leros 14 Nov 1943
 

Does anyone have information about a Heinkel shot down over the sea about 10 miles East of Leros, around midday on 14th November 1943? My father was with 46 Squadron planes involved in the incident and they were immediately chased by 6 ME109s, who shot down one Beaufighter and possibly another as it fled towards the Turkish coast. Is there any way I can find out about the ditched Heinkel, and whether the crew survived? Does anyone know which unit the ME 109's would have been from?

Re: Lost Heinkel III near Leros 14 Nov 1943
 

Hi E.J.Halls,

I have this loss (vw=injured, v=missed)

FF. Uffz. Walter Pink (vw.), He 111 H (6N+EP, W.Nr. 8011) 100% m. BO. Fw. Kurt Bruder (v.),BF. Fw. Johann Sonnenschein (vw.), BS. Uffz. Helmut Grundke (+), Feindbeschuss, 14.11.43 nördl. Leros

Byron

Re: Lost Heinkel III near Leros 14 Nov 1943
 

E.J.

I forgot the Me 109. III. or IV./JG 27

Byron

Re: Lost Heinkel III near Leros 14 Nov 1943
 

Luft GQM shows- 14-11-43 II/KG100 'F' North Leros, due to enemy fire, He111H 8011 6N+EP 8011 lost Ff Uffz Walter Pink, B Fw Kurt Bruder, Bf Fw. Johann Sunnenschein, Bs Gef. Helmut Grundke all missing. A later admendment dated 26-11-43 shows Pink and Bruder as zuruck (returned), Sunnenschein as injured and Grundke as dead,

Regards

Brian Bines

Re: Lost Heinkel III near Leros 14 Nov 1943
 

If you would like to PM me, I have photos of this plane being shot down plus a synopsis of the combat report

Re: Lost Heinkel III near Leros 14 Nov 1943
 

Hi Brian,

I think the He 111 belonged to "Einsatzstaffel KG 100" [aufgestellt am 10.04.43 mit 17 He 111 H und 3 Ju 88 A4 aus der II./KG 100,
15.04.43-10 .11.43 Kalamaki
St.Kpt., 10.04.43-15.06.43 Hptm. Karl-August von der Fecht]


Was the pilot`s name Pink or Fink? I am not sure

Re: Lost Heinkel III near Leros 14 Nov 1943
 

Hi Byron,

I have magnified the name on screen and must agree with you that the name is Pink both on the original and later report, both he and the B are shown as returned without injury,

Regards

Brian Bines

Re: Lost Heinkel III near Leros 14 Nov 1943
 

Thanks Brian and regards

Byron

Re: Lost Heinkel III near Leros 14 Nov 1943
 

Flt Lt D J A Crerar/Plt Off L Charles in JL913 & Fg Off B T Wild/FS R W Gibson in JL898 10 miles east of Leros between 1135-1700 hrs. I have Pink, Sonneschein, Grundtke & Bruder as the crew

Re: Lost Heinkel III near Leros 14 Nov 1943
 

Hi,

"Fighters Over The Aegean" by Brian Cull (Fonthill 2012) pp 98 covers the details of this action and also all 46 Squadron's combats in this area.

Bruce Lander