[Peter Cornwell]

There is considerable confusion in the official reporting of these casualties (see attached). Despite the initial RAF Intelligence report to the contrary, it seems that FOKUHL and SCHAEFER were never found.

1.(F)/Aufkl.Gr.Ob.d.L. Heinkel He111H-2 (5542). Shot down by Red Section of No.603 Squadron (F/L H.A.J. MacDonald, P/O J.G.E. Haig, and P/O G.K. Gilroy) during high-level photo-reconnaissance sortie to the Firth of Forth and the Clyde and crashed in sea 60 miles east of Aberdeen 1.15 p.m. FF Uffz Fritz Schneider and BM Uffz Heinz Hartwig both killed, BO Lt Johann Fokuhl and BS Uffz Otto Schäfer both missing. Aircraft T5+UH 100% write-off.
Originally attacked at over 20,000 feet by Sergeant J. R. Caister of No.603 Squadron whose guns froze at that height. Two bodies, originally reported as those of Fritz Schneider and Johann Fokuhl, were washed up at Rattray Head on January 31. However, their identities were subsequently resolved as Heinz Hartwig and Fritz Schneider who were buried together in Grave 1506 of Buckburn Cemetery, Aberdeen, on February 3.