[Peter Cornwell]

Jim,

I know of no evidence to suggest that the Do18 in question made an attack on any ship. It was one of two aircraft of 2./606 tasked with maintaining contact with enemy shipping in the area and tracking its position following an early morning search mission for a missing Ju88 of I./KG30 ( see Adam’s Post #2). At 08.50 hours the 8L+BK reported a light cruiser some 125 sm east of Sunderland which they later identified as the Polish destroyer ‘Grom’. 8L+BK was ordered to continue shadowing the cruiser and report its position while 8L+DK was instructed to simply shadow the enemy vessel. At 12.40 hours three Gladiators of No.607 Squadron were sent off from Acklington to see off the Do18s and around 13.30 hours engaged the 8L+DK which was damaged and retired east but eventually forced to ditch 35 sm east of Berwick around 13.42 hours. Meantime, the earlier contact report triggered six He115s of 1./406 being sent off from List at 09.57 hours on an armed reconnaissance Flamborough Head - Aberdeen plus three more armed with bombs and at 10.20 hours they were followed by 13 He111s of KG26 who took off from Westerland. At 15.07 hours two He115s of the Bombenkette 1./406 found and attacked the destroyer six sea miles north of Berwick dropping four SC-250 bombs without result and at 13.55 hours He115 7T+XH of 1./406 reported three He115s being chased by three Gladiators and coming under attack by the fighters themselves but suffering no damage.

KTB Gen d. L. beim Ob.d.M: Evening Report 17.10.39 23.35 hours

“13.48 hours second shadowing aircraft D 2/606 forced-landed in Qu.5240. 1 man wounded. Rescue of the crew by (other) shadowing aircraft not possible as dinghy shot through and approach of the destroyer ‘Grom’. This picked up the crew of D.

“… several combats between long-range reconnaissance aircraft and the bombing Kette (of 1/406) with enemy fighters. (Aircraft) D of 2/606 probably shot down.

“Do18 of St.2/606 40 sm 76° Berwick shot down by enemy AA fire 100% crash. 1 man believed wounded, crew presumed captured.” [Crew listed as quoted in Post #4]