BV 138 loss Norway 8.May 1944
 

Searching for names of crew, serial no etc. Regarding the loss of two BV 138 flying boats. They were shot down by Wildcats of 898 Sqdn, north of Ålesund. I'm searcing for names of the crews. Pilot on one of the flying boat was Otto Dippel. One of his crew was killed(Fw.Ernst Haug) Three men were saved from the other BV, two drowned. The BV's belonged to 2./(F) Seeaufklärungsgruppe 130

TIA Kjell

Re: BV 138 loss Norway 8.May 1944
 

Hallo Kjell,

1st : Bv 138 C-1 ; WkNr 311 032 ; 6I + EK ; no Crew-Infos available

2nd : Bv 138 C-1 ; 6I + BK ; Fw Ernst Haug KIA, Uffz Johann Krölls MIA, Uffz Willy Wolf MIA, Uffz Herbert Röder WIA

Regards
Ralf

Re: BV 138 loss Norway 8.May 1944
 

Hallo Ralf
Thank you for your input. I see two of the crew are reported Missing in Action.
According to a written story by a local witness, three men from Otto Dippel's BV came ashore, borrowed a boat and rescued one of the crew swimming in the in the sea. One was dead in the plane.
Otto Dippel (then 68) made an interview in 1988 in the local newspaper. He stated two of the crew jumped to the sea because of the fire. They were brought ashore and taken care of by a Norwegian family. Their mechanic was dead. He also claimed they were attacked by 14 Grumman Martlets!! According to other sources, they were attacked by four Wildcats of 898 Sqdn.
This story gives a few answers, but rises a few more questions too.

regards Kjell

Re: BV 138 loss Norway 8.May 1944
 

Hi Kjell

Most interesting. Thanks. Would you happen to have a copy of the newspaper account by Otto Dippel, and if so, would you be able to translate it into English?

You can contact me, if you wish, at briancullauthor@fsmail.net

I very much look forward to hearing from you.

Cheers
Brian

Re: BV 138 loss Norway 8.May 1944
 

This is a puzzle. I have reports that these aircraft were shot down by aircraft of 882 Squadron, and that Lt John Cotching claimed in both victories. Ray Sturtivant indicates several aircraft of 882 and 898 were involved, but LCdr Stanley Orr (Wing Leader) credits them both to Black Flight, 898 Squadron (presumably just 4 Wildcat Vs).

Re: BV 138 loss Norway 8.May 1944
 

I have now made a page based on the information received:
http://ktsorens.tihlde.org/flyvrak/gamlemshaug.html

Still missing is the werkenummer of the A/C, and the rank of Dippel. Haven't managed to find the names of the other crew either, so far.

Kjell

Re: BV 138 loss Norway 8.May 1944
 

These losses are tricky ones. Please remember that 2.(F)/130 lost two BV 138's on 6 May 1944 and one on 8 May 1944. All losses were in the same area. I have been trough several sources and they conclude with the same figures as I mentioned above, 2 + 1 losses. This is also supported by the Namentliche Verlustmeldungen where all three losses are rported on the same form. The same is the case for Kriegstagebuch General der Luftwaffe beim Oberkommando der Marine who also recorded 2 + 1 losses.
Opinions please.