A quick introduction; My name is Simon Brown, I'm an underwater photographer with an interest in aircraft crash sites. Over the years I have photographed a Junkers 52 in Hartvig, a pair of of HE 115s in Trondheim (both in Norway), a P47-D in the English Channel and the Goodwin Sands Dornier Do-17 . Here;s a link to one image from the Dornier.

I have been working with a Weymouth-based skipper to identify some of the aircraft crash sites in the waters around Portland Bill. Of particular interest are Luftwaffe losses on the 25th of August 1940 between 17:00hrs and 18:30hrs (approx).

From the ORB's of 17 Squadron, 87 Squadron & 609 Squadron respectively four pilots claimed a Bf 109, and a further two pilots claimed a 'probable' for the same type.

Listed as MIA from that day is Hptm MACULAN, Alois of 6./JG 53 and we believe he was an Bf 109 pilot shot down during the battle. This pilot, and his participation in the action, is of specific interest.

I have many, many questions and I hope the forum may be able to help. Please excuse me if these questions are somewhat basic or naive, but here goes:-

Do the Luftwaffe records still exist?
Is it possible to search them?
Is there a record of Luftwaffe records listing specific losses on a given day?
Would there be detailed records of the battle from a Luftwaffe perspective?
Would it be possible to trace relatives of an individual pilot?

I have no idea if the above can be answered, but look forward to reading what the forum can share.