Luftwaffe Activity over the Bay of Biscay
 

I am researching to see if any Luftwaffe units were operating over the Bay of Biscay on December 16 & 17, 1943. I would be grateful for any help, thanks.

Re: Luftwaffe Activity over the Bay of Biscay
 

Any types in particular?

Re: Luftwaffe Activity over the Bay of Biscay
 

For 16 December the Bletchley Park Air Operations Watch team noted: a routine security patrol by a Ju 88 of 3.(F)/123 from 1550 GMT and a "special night operation" by an aircraft the same unit to the area NNW of the Scilly Isles. There was also an evening search operation by 3 Ju 88 thought to be looking for an aircraft of Westa 2 that had reported being in difficulties. (Piere Babin's "La Wekusta 2 au Combat" says this was Ju 88 D-1 W.Nr. 430005, D7+KK. It suffered engine failure and crashed into the sea with the loss of all four on board).

On the 17th: "No operations were carried out on account of adverse weather conditions".

Re: Luftwaffe Activity over the Bay of Biscay
 

For starters, 16 Dec 43:


Ju 88 TO 0818 hrs on weather recce. Engine failure 1150 hrs, last message 1302 hrs
Ju 88 TO 1338 hrs looking for missing Ju 88
Ju 88 TO 1802 hrs "


17 Dec 43


Ju 88 TO 0733 hrs
Ju 88 TO 0728 hrs
2 x Fw 190 TO 1145 hrs

Re: Luftwaffe Activity over the Bay of Biscay
 

Thanks Nick & Chris, I know this is a long shot but in December 1943 there was a naval battle in the Bay of Biscay between HMS Glasgow and Enterprise and the German blockade runner Alsterufer and it's escort ship which were all sunk.
I am looking into this incident and was wondering if the Luftwaffe were providing air cover for this operation ? I do know that after the battle a Fw200 Condor circled the surviving German sailors, I assume this was from KG40 ?
Did KG40 also operate the He177 at this time too and would it have been possible for one to have been over the battle scene at this time ? Thanks

Re: Luftwaffe Activity over the Bay of Biscay
 

You are a week early-there was one hell of a battle with Condors and He 177s involved in numbers. I have just obtained a photo of FAW 7 PB4Y-1s in action. Have a look at my Condor book............

Re: Luftwaffe Activity over the Bay of Biscay
 

Cheers Chris, as always am most grateful for your help.The battle was in late December but were KG40 operating the He177 over The Bay of Biscay on December 16, 1943 ?

Re: Luftwaffe Activity over the Bay of Biscay
 

No mentions of KG 40's He 177s that day from what I can see. Why do you ask?