In his combat report, Broadhurst stated that, following his attack, the Heinkel was trailing smoke when it dived into cloud. Broadhurst followed but when he emerged below cloud 'the sea seemed desperately close' and he (Broadhurst) averted disaster only be pulling up violently. He subsequently measured the cloud ceiling as being 1,000ft above sea level. Given that the cloud base was also low, Broadhurst reckoned that the German would have had considerable difficulty recovering from his dive. Broadhurst did not see the Heinkel crash but he suspected that it had and submitted a claim for one 'destroyed'. We are told that the claim was subsequently substantiated by land-based observers. So - big question-mark!
BN (
www.billnorman.co.uk)