What seems strange to me is that according to description from that day in the book JG 26 Luftwaffe Fighter Wing War Diary: 1943-45 by Donald Caldwell, the geschwader formations where unable to make contact with the bombers.
The third gruppe seems to have engaged the spitfire escort of No. 41 squadron over Poperinghe, claiming 3 victories and it is speculated that one of those spitfires shot down the Bf 109 of Lt. Ernst Todt.
According to the mission description, which can be read on the following website:
http://www.b26.com/historian/chester_klier/025.htm? The fighters seem to have made several attacks on the formation.
Pictures show the damage caused by the attacks.