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Re: 504 Sqn RAF vs He 115 on 2 April 1940
Laurent,
The German losses on April 2, 1940, were as follows:
3./KüFlGr. 506 Heinkel He115B-1. Both engines badly damaged in attacks by Blue Section of No.504 Squadron following armed-reconnaissance south-west of Terschelling Bank. Ditched in the sea off Lowestoft following attack by F/O D. Phillips 7.50 a.m. BO Lt zur See Erwin Dirking (Funkoffizier) slightly wounded, rest of crew believed unhurt - all rescued by He115B S4+GL. Aircraft S4+EL sunk by gunfire 100% write-off.
3./KüFlGr. 506 Heinkel He115B-1. Returned with one float punctured in attacks by Blue Section of No.504 Squadron following armed-reconnaissance south-west of Terschelling Bank 7.40 a.m. No crew casualties. Aircraft S4+HL damage state not recorded.
Phillips was hit by return fire, wounded in the leg, and forced to ditch his badly damaged aircraft in the North Sea the rest of his section having already broken off and returned being low on fuel. He was picked up by a British steamer. And, yes, it was the same Lt zur See Dirking who was killed near Loosduinen on May 10, 1940.
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