Fw 200 Irish Sea Reconn Operation

[Oxby R]

Gentlemen - can anyone help with history of Fw200 coded F8+AB. Interested in its likely movements/scope of operations/theatre during 1941. Any specifics at all would be good, but in particular base/unit/crew list/loss details if known. Atb, richard.

ps For interest : I'm trying to link this a/c's patrol activity on 1st March 1941 to subsequent shipping strike reported 3rd March Irish Sea and He111 crash landing(s) on same date - one of which was in the Irish Republic.

[Chris Goss]

An F8+AB was lost with Stab I/KG 40 200 miles NW of Ireland on 10 Jan 41. Another one was lost of Spain 18 Jul 41

[Oxby R]

Many thanks for taking a look, Chris. Info I had suggested Western Approaches shipping strike made by KG27 Heinkels IG+HL & IG+AL on 3.3.41 came about following a Condor's reconn flight dated 1.3.41. The FW200 reported to be involved was coded F8+AB.. but how could that be, if you're info is correct and it was lost in January, 41 ? Hmm. Yet another 'Ghost of KG40' maybe ?? (chuckle). Was hoping to find a lead on this to chase up, but it's probably a wild goose. Btw : PM in your inbox on unrelated matter, Chris. Kind regards, Richard.

[Chris Goss]

Richard: Don't forget that there would be many F8+ABs. Following the loss of the first, another aircraft would be assigned +AB (different Werk Nummer). Nothing in my PM box?

[Oxby R]

Ok, so they re-assigned a/c codes following a loss ? I'd always assumed they were unique identifiers - but that's the werke number I suppose, huh ? That PM should be in your box now, Chris.

[Oxby R]

For interest fellas - here's an extract from Adolf Hohnbaum's account. He was IG+AL's wireless operator :

'On April 1st a report was registered by a Focke-Wülf Condor (FW200) that a British escorted convoy was heading from the west towards Cardiff. We were ordered to attack this convoy. I took off with a flight crew commanded by Pilot Corporal Nicolay III Staffel KG27. We were also accompanied by another Heinkel. After a few flying hours we sighted about 30 merchant ships and escorts in the entrance to the Bristol Channel. Our Flight Commander set up to attack one of the bigger freighters, and put us into a steep dive and at about 50 metres dropped our 12 50kg blast bombs in succession. We didn’t make a direct hit, but as we overflew we shot up the ship with our machine guns. The defensive Flak from the convoy escorts roared all around us. Then we suddenly heard the crack of a direct hit, and it became clear the cooling system of our starboard engine had been damaged. We could smell the grey white glycol as it streamed away behind us. Nicolay shut the damaged engine down and compensated by trimming the aircraft accordingly.'

Would be nice to confirm details of that Condor.. anyone else got anyfink ? I think there were possibly three operating from Rennes at the time. Was one of them F8+AB ?? Remember operational date would have to be around 1.3.41. Go on, take a look - you know you wanna solve this one !