He. III lost 23 Sept 40 at 15.20 nr Bishops Rock

[andy bird]

In Pilot Officer Aubrey ‘Sinbad’ Inniss (236 Sqn) log book there is an entry for:

240 degrees Bishops Rock 180 miles "1st Kill" also written is -

Crew observed on wing, Air Gunner heaved out dinghy "For the benefit of Crew."

Blenheim "L- Love" no serial. Three took off on an offensive patrol at 12.30 landing at St Eval 16.00.

I've checked Battle of Britain Then and Now for claim, and Battle over Britain but can see a reference to loss.

Kind Regards

Andy Bird

[Brian Bines]

Andy, from my notes I have a He111 of Wekusta 2 shot down 270 miles off Lands End, the only crew details I have are Reg.Rat. Dr Hans Reinhardt as missing. The loss of this aircraft is dealt with in the Wekusta book but my copy is on loan at present as I recall Reinhardt was killed, but others of the crew were rescued,

Regards

Brian Bines

[andy bird]

Hi Brian,

Thank you most helpful.

Best Wishes

Andy

[Brian Bines]

Andy I have sent you a PM but your box is full,

Brian Bines

[Peter Cornwell]

Andy,

Check again. This loss is listed in both Battle Over Britain (1969) p408 and BoBT&N (1980) on p655. Current details are as follows:

Wettererkundungsstaffel 2 Heinkel He111H-3 (5396). Port engine set alight under attack by three Blenheims of No.236 Squadron (P/O A.R.de L. Innes, P/O G.H. Russell, and Sgt Smith) during search mission for RH+NT and ditched 400km west of Brest 2.40 p.m. BO Reg.Rat Dr Hans Reinhardt killed, BM Uffz Franz Liebl badly wounded in the arms - died next day, FF Oberlt Rudolf Prasse (Staffelführer) and BF Uffz Max Mrochen took to dinghy and rescued unhurt. Aircraft TG+KA 100% write-off.
The two survivors were eventually rescued by French fishing boats two days later.

[Brian Bines]

Photo of Max Mrochen on the Flyvrak site under Axis, 1945 list, as Ju188 at Leka

[Jim P.]

Though listed as an He 111H-3, WNr. 5396 appears to be an H-2 WNr.

[Peter Cornwell]

Thank you Jim. Sub-types were never my strong suit. Amended entry.

[andy bird]

Amazing what you find: Here is the RAF Wireless Transmitter Intel' Report of the ditched He III that Prasse had gone to search for.
Prasse is then bounced by the three Blenheims:

Intel Report: 12.15 GMT


“[Ofw Hans Giermann relays this] Forced landed owing to engine trouble in position approximately 48° 50’ North 10° 15’ West.” In reply to this distress message the operator [Ofw Hans Giermann] was informed that a flying boat was starting at once. “He [Fw Horst Dümcke] landed near a small merchant ship.” After which no more was heard from him.

The Blenheims of Inniss, Russell and Smith scrambled at 12.30 hrs and intercepted at 15.20 hrs.


Andy

[Peter Cornwell]

Andy,

Interesting stuff. I have the second piece of this particular puzzle documented thus:

Wettererkundungsstaffel 2 Heinkel He111H-2 (5551). Suffered engine failure during return from weather reconnaissance sortie over the Atlantic and ditched 400km west of Brest 12.05 p.m. FF Fw Horst-Max Dümcke, Lt Friedrich-Karl Deicke, and rest of crew all rescued by Seenotflugkdo.1 next day, BO Reg.Rat Hans Siegmund believed wounded. Aircraft RH+NT 100% write-off.

Time of interception of the TG+KA by No.236 Squadron also noted with thanks.