Fredriech-Karl Bachmann of 3/JG 52

[NickFenton]

Bristol Blenheim IV ‘L’ for Leather, V6258 XD Piloted by Sgt Kenneth Fenton of 139 (Jamaica) squadron of 2 Group, Bomber Command left from Horsham St. Faith, Norfolk and at 12.26 Hours, was attacked by a Messershmitt Bf 109F piloted by Fw Fredriech-Karl Bachmann of 3/JG 52 based at Leeuwarden, Holland.

Sgt. Fenton successfully managed to ditch the Blenheim at 12.48, 60 Kms. North-West of Vlieland in the Dutch Frisian Islands in the North Sea at position 4435.

V6258 had reported in that they had been damaged over Oldenburg near Bremen and were going to ditch in the North Sea, North-West of Tercheling
Island.

The Blenheim had already been damaged before being finished off. Does anyone know how?

I also would like further details on Backmann. In a drawing from the pilot's diary, the Blenheim is being attacked by two BF. 109's. Does anyone have a record of this?

Any idea where l could get copies of radio communications?

Nick

[NickFenton]

To add to this story:-

On 1st July 1941 at 12.26 Hours, Bristol Blenheim IV ‘L’ for Leather, V6258 XD of 139 (Jamaica) Squadron was attacked by a Messershmitt Bf 109F piloted by Fw Fredriech-Karl Bachmann of 3/JG 52 based at Leeuwarden, Holland and the pilot successfully managed to ditch the Blenheim at 12.48, 60 Kms. North-West of Vlieland in the Dutch Frisian Islands in the North Sea at position 4435.

The Blenheim crew was eventually rescued by a Heinkel He.59 DB-MV seaplane from 4 Seenotflugkommandos based at Nordeney taking them to the Air-Sea Rescue base at Schellingwoude, North of Amsterdam. DB-MV was piloted by Fw Unterspann with crew members Uflz Barwitzki, Flieger Fischer and Flieger Rhase.

He.59 NE-UY was also involved piloted by Lt W Ehrardt (killed in action October 1944). Other crew members were Fw R Gerster (Died 27th July 1985), Fw K Logemann (Killed in action with 4 Seenotflugkammando, 27th March 1943) and Uffz. W Strauss(Last recorded as a member of 10 Seenotflugkammando in November 1943, no further records exist).

Various Arado Ar. 196's were also involved in the days event ending in the destruction of a Short Stirling from 7 Squadron and the capture HSL 108 which was sent to recover the Blenheim crew. HSL 108 was then used by the German's as a recovery boat after it's renovation.

The first Ar. 196 piloted by Pilot Hptm Schmidt and his wireless operator Fw Harings attached from 50 meters below and from a position 30 degrees to the port side of the Stirling. The Ar. 196 pulled up in a left turn and fired it’s 22x20mm ammo from 300 meters until 50 meters away, hitting the upper cockpit and starboard wing between the inner starboard engine and the front fuselage (Luftwaffe GHQ Report July 1st 1941), before levelling off below the Striling. Fw Harings, the top gunner fired his flexible machine guns from 20 meters below the Stirling but his gun jammed.

The Crew of the Stirling were completely surprised and Kinnane turned his Stirling on a western course, later destroyed.

The second Ar. 196, 6/ZG76, piloted by Oblt. Stav and wireless operator Fw Sturtz attacked from the port side of the Stirling, diving from 50 degrees and 400 meters distance, firing its cannons. Strikes were seen from the port inner engine along the fuselage to the rear turret.
NE-UY was piloted by Lt W Ehrardt (killed in action October 1944). Other crew members were Fw R Gerster (Died 27th July 1985), Fw K Logemann (Killed in action with 4 Seenotflugkammando, 27th March 1943) and Uffz. W Strauss(Last recorded as a member of 10 Seenotflugkammando in November 1943, no further records exist). DB-MV, the plane that rescued the Blenheim crew, piloted by Fw Unterspann returned to base after an unsuccessful search at 08.02 Hours.

Can anyone tell me more about He. 59 DB-MV, the crew mentioned and the eventual history of HSL 108? anything on this story at all wouyld be helpful.

Regards,

Nick