F/O A.J.O. Jeffrey 2 He115s 19 July 1940

[Brian]

Hi guys

I've noticed, in print, F/O Jeffrey of 64 Squadron credited with shooting down two He115s off Calais on 19 July 1940, but can't find confirmation of claims/combat.

Any ideas?

Cheers
Brian

[gedburke3]

Hi Brian,

According to the Squadrons ORB F/O Jeffrey was flying Spitfire P9421 on a patrol which commenced at 15:30 and ended at 16:30.
He claimed two He115's shot down 10 miles West of Calais.
According to his combat report the attack was delivered at 16:10.

'As yellow 1 I was on patrol over Hawkinge when I saw two e/a which I took to be 109's going towards France. I pursued them but did not close appreciably. When about three miles off the coast of France I saw two float planes, one flying in an Easterly direction at about 200 feet the other taxying in a Westerly direction.
I dived on the first and after firing a short burst saw him spin in.
I broke away up to 4000 feet and attacked the other which was just taking off from the beam and followed it into the astern position firing. I saw him crash into the sea to starboard.
I experienced some AA fire so pushed my nose down and made for home. I continued the patrol over the forward base but saw no activity so returned to base landing at 16:45.'

P/O O'Meara and F/O Woodward claimed 109's each.

Regards

Gerry

[Chris Goss]

It is mentioned in Jack Foreman's Claims book?

[Brian]

Thanks Gerry.

Chris - I provided Jack Foreman with the majority of claims and loss for 1940 many moons ago!!

Perhaps Peter will be able to throw some light on this. Presumably neither aircraft was badly damaged and crews unhurt?

Cheers
Brian

[Peter Cornwell]

Brian,

Unfortunately I can not. I know of no recorded losses that correspond even remotely to these two claims.

[Col Bruggy]

Hello,

Gerhard Huemmelchen, in his "Die Duetschen Seeflieger 1935-1945 (p.166), mentions the loss on 19th July, 1940, of a 3./906 He 115 due to enemy action (Feindeinwirkung). As does the late Francis Mason, in his 2nd edition of Battle Over Britain (pp.139-140):

A Heinkel He 115, apparently attempting to sow mines in the Thames Estuary in broad daylight, was shot down by a Spitfire flown by Fg Off Alastair Jeffrey of No.64 squadron.

LUFTWAFFE LOSSES - FRIDAY 19th July 1940.

6. 3/906 CM Shot down by Spitfire of Jeffrey of 64 Sqn over Thames Estuary at approx. 1600 hrs.
Heinkel He 115 100% Three crew missing.

Col.

[Frank Olynyk]

The claim for two He-115s appears in the Fighter Command Combats and Casualties list for July 19, as Confirmed. The combat report is in Air 50/24-78&79.

It is mentioned in Jack Foreman's RAF Fighter Command Claims 1939-1940.

Enjoy!

Frank.

[Laurent Rizzotti]

This is a translated extract from the book "Les Hydravions de la Luftwaffe, volume 2", by Jean-Louis Roba and Hans-Werner Neulen (ISBN 978-2-914017-55-8), page 333:

"On 19 July 1940 a formation of nine Spitfires of 64 Sqn flying an offensive patrol intercepted a group of He 115s laying mines under escort by Bf 109s. Two floatplanes were claimed shot down, but only one of 3./106 was actually shot down."

Note that the unit here is given as 3./106, not 3./906, but I don't know which source is correct.

[Peter Cornwell]

The loss documented by Frank MASON on 19 July 1940 was lost five days earlier:

3./KüFlGr. 906 Heinkel He115C-1 (2763). Failed to return from mine-laying sortie over the Thames Estuary and capsized attempting forced-landing at sea north of Juist, cause unknown. FF Lt zur See Dr Gerhard Steinert and BO Oberlt zur See Hans-Joachim Hildebrandt both killed, BF Fw Hermann Plundtke missing. Aircraft 100% write-off.

[Chris Goss]

Laying mines in daylight seems a very risky venture as well!