[Peter Cornwell]

10 May 1940 Stab III./KG55 Heinkel He111P-2 (2848). Port engine disabled by AA fire during sortie to Xaffvillers then attacked by Capt Hyvernaud, Lt de la Bretonnier, Sgt Meunier, and Sgt de Puybusque of GC I/2 and belly-landed at Vahl-les-Benestroff 5.45 a.m. BM (67019/19) Fw Erich Meyer killed, BO (58246/1) Major Paul Schemmel (Gruppenkommandeur), FF (58246/3) Oberlt Fritz Gräf (Gruppen TO), HB (58246/4) Oberlt Heinrich Prüfer (Gruppen NO), and BF (58246/8) Oberfw Franz Lehmann all captured unhurt - later released, Aircraft G1+AD 100% write-off.
French sources report that this crew resisted capture and exchanged fire with troops of 414e Rgiment de Pionniers who arrived within minutes of the crash. At least two wounded crewmen were later admitted to hospital in nearby Dieuze. Carrying so many staff officers in one crew was officially discouraged, though it was to be some months before specific orders were issued forbidding the practice.

10 May 1940 Stab III./KG55 Heinkel He111P-2 (2856). Port engine disabled in attacks by Capt Pierre Hyvernault of GC 2/2 then engaged by Adjt H. Castel, Sgt J. Giordani, and Lt R. Lamaison of GC I/8 and belly-landed, under fire from ground defences (1032 DCA), on Velaine-en-Haye airfield where crew attempted to fire the aircraft 5.40 a.m. BO (58246/6) Oberlt Gustav Hecker, FF (58246/7) Oberfw Franz Glocke, BF (58246/12) Fw Robert Labandowsky, BM (58246/10) Uffz Hans Gentsch, and BS (55530/45) Gefr Fritz Günther (late of 1./KG4) all captured unhurt – later released. Aircraft G1+CS damaged but repairable.
An 8 Staffel machine assigned to the Stabsschwarm.

11 May 1940 6./KG55 Heinkel He111P. Hit by intense flak and ground fire near Baccarat following attack on Orléans-Bricy. Then port engine destroyed in attack by S/Lt Plubeau of GC II/4 and forced-landed and burned out at Hattigny 12.30 p.m. FF (67021/2) Oberlt Willi Radunz and BM 67021/12) Oberfw Wilhelm Krups evaded in Forêt de Harcholins but surrendered at Niderhoff later that night, BO (67015/29) Fw Roland Boiselle, BF (67021/15) Fw Alfred Meisel, and BS (67021/55) Obergefr Otto Jäger baled out over Badonviller and captured unhurt near Lunéville– all later released. Aircraft 100% write-off.