1/JG27 losses on 8 August 1940

[Peter Cook]

Ltn Igor Birkenbach, Ltn Karl-Heinz Bothfeld and an unknown pilot, all from 1/JG27, were shot down on 8 August 1940. Birkenbach and Bothfeld were killed. According to Simon Parry's BOB Combat Archive they were shot down by 145 Squadron during the first attack on convoy Peewit at approximately 9.15. However, John Weals' history of JG27 describes the three pilots being shot down in the early afternoon raid on Peewit (12.00-12.50). Can anyone shed any light on this? I have the Saunders book on Convoy Peewit but it doesn't help with these timings.

[robert]

None is correct. 1 was lost in the morning (approx. 10.00 hrs) and 2 in the early afternoon (13.30 hrs). Sources: logbooks and after-action report of VIII Fliegerkorps that was submitted on 9.8.40 at 19.30 hrs.
And Lt. Igor Zirkenbach.

Regards

Robert

[Peter Cook]

Thank Robert,

But the times I listed are BST — the times recorded by the Luftwaffe were ECT, one hour later — so 10.00 would match 09.00, the morning action, and 13.10 matches 12.10 the midday engagement. Which pilots were lost at these times?

Peter

[robert]

Hi,

I copied the times from Luftwaffe reports so yes they are ECT.
Sorry but the names I must keep for the forthcoming publication.

Regards

Robert

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by Peter Cook

Thank Robert,

But the times I listed are BST — the times recorded by the Luftwaffe were ECT, one hour later — so 10.00 would match 09.00, the morning action, and 13.10 matches 12.10 the midday engagement. Which pilots were lost at these times?

Peter

ECT and BST are the same, aren’t they (GMT+1)? Or did you mean that the Germans were using ECT+1?

[John Vasco]

Originally Posted by robert

Hi,

I copied the times from Luftwaffe reports so yes they are ECT.
Sorry but the names I must keep for the forthcoming publication.

Regards

Robert

What year would that be?

Just asking as a fellow member of the EoE...

[John Vasco]

Originally Posted by Nick Beale

ECT and BST are the same, aren’t they (GMT+1)? Or did you mean that the Germans were using ECT+1?

Nick,
Didn't we use 'double summer time' in 1940?

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by John Vasco

Nick,
Didn't we use 'double summer time' in 1940?

Very possibly John, but I’m out of reach of my reference just at the moment.

[Peter Cook]

Nick and John,

Herewith a quote re. BST/DST in 1940 from https://www.timeanddate.com/time/uk/...ackground.html

"There have been periods in UK history where DST was 2 hours ahead of standard time. This is known as “British Double Summer Time” (BDST), “Double Summer Time,” or “Double British Summer Time.” During World War II the UK went on an extended DST period from February 25, 1940 to October 7, 1945, effectively adding 1 hour to the time zone.."

Re. my original post, as Robert can't help, can anyone else help identify the times of the demise of Ltn Igor Birkenbach and Ltn Karl-Heinz Bothfeld of I/JG27 on 8 August?

Peter

[robert]

Zirkenbach!!!