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Re: JG51 Escort 24th August 1940 08:30 to 10:00
Ross,
No evidence that the first mission by JG51 on 24 August 1940 was escort for bombers. Certainly, 9./JG51 engaged RAF fighters over 'S England' between 08.30 - 10.00 (CET) that day Lt Karl-Heinz SCHNELL claiming a 'P36' at 09.40 hours. I believe that this is the 'Spitfire' mentioned in the diary obtained from Uffz Kurt KOCH on his unscheduled stop in this country on 7 September 1940. This possibly equates to the loss of ARNFIELD of 610 Squadron who was lost over Eastry around 08.50 hours (BST) though other German pilots filed equally persuasive claims.
A pre-strike recce over Canterbury resulted in the loss of a Ju88 of 5.(F)/122 in the Channel off Boulogne. Is this the aircraft that interests you ?
According to Heinrich WEISS, elements of JG51 were certainly among Lw fighter units that provided escort for a later attack on 'Canterbury' by He111s of KG1 planned for around 10.35 (CET) that morning.
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