[Oxby R]

Gentlemen - thank you for your responses to my question(s) about Lundy's mystery Heinkels. To summarise, my understanding of your information is as follows :

Two Heinkels attack MV Port Townsville (twice), which is in convoy with other vessels. The first is He 111 H-5 (1G+AL) from 3./KG 27. This aircraft crash landed on Lundy, and was destroyed in subsequent fire. There were 5 survivors, subsequently taken prisoner. The second aircraft involved in the attack on MV Port Townsville was He III (1G+HL), but this a/c crashed in Co Wexford, Eire.

At one of the crash sites, even after all this time - there is considerable evidence of an intense fire - the patch of ground remains charred, and there are countless small blobs of aluminium, scattered amongst a few larger pieces of engine casing, and what looks like u/c components. From your information, I would venture to suggest this is the wreck site of He 111 H-5 (1G+AL).

The second a/c to crash on Lundy is also a Heinkel III H-5, 3837, 1G+FL also of 3/KG 27. This a/c was flown by Uffz Guenther Nicolei who attempted a forced landing on April fool's day 1941 (!) due to engine failure.

Those troublesome Jumos remain visible close to the crash site, (but rather inaccessible as they now lie down a ravine) which is located as you say, near the top of the rocky cliffs on the west side of the island. (not the place to land an a/c, unless you have to!) Incidently, the a/c wreck was the subject of an ownership dispute some years ago, when the RAF complained to Lundy's landowner that islanders were salvaging the a/c grade aluminium from the wreck - which belonged to the British Government. The dispute ended when the landowner suggested that the RAF remove its property from Lundy. An RAF detail were duly despatched by boat to remove the wreck, but evidently they found it difficult to transport from the site. Not to be defeated by a Luftwaffe relic - they attempted to heave it over the cliffs, and into the sea. They seem to have failed in achieving any of their objectives !

There remain a few gaps to fill. Did Uffz Guenther Nicolei survive his crash, and does anyone have any details of what became of his crew ? Any details of his target ? Finally, could I enquire Gentlemen, can anyone supply any source documentary evidence that can assist, in backing up your information ?

Thanks guys !!