Crew positions in He 111 Wnr.3178 Please!

[Melvin Brownless]

Hi all, Can anyone please supply me with details regarding crews positions in the aircraft, I know the pilot was Horst Schopis but I am unsure of his rank? Any further details greatly appreciated!

Information taken from Kjell Sorensen's excellent website Flyvrak:

Mission: Åndalsnes-Dombås area
Date: 27th April 1940
Unit: 9 Staffel/Kampfgeschwader 26
Type: Heinkel He 111H-3
Werke Nr. 3178
Code: 1H + CT
Location: Heilstuguvatnet, Grotli Oppland, Norway.
Took off from Aalborg West in Denmark on a mission to Åndalsnes-Dombås area.
They made a bombing run on the British cruiser "Flamingo" in Romsdalfjord when they were attacked by three Skuas(803Sqdn)
from "Ark Royal". The Heinkel bomber made a forced landing beside lake Heilstuguvatnet. Pilot Fn. Horst Schopis.(27)
Fw.Karl heinz Strunk, (25) accidentaly shot dead by a Norwegian soldier after landing. Uffz. Hans Hauck, (26) killed in the
attack. Uffz.Josef Auchtor,(25) wounded by fire from the Skuas.

Regards

Melvin

www.aircrewremembrancesociety.com

[Larry Hickey]

Melvin,

Our entry in the EoE Luft Loss DB: "April 27, 1940: 9./KG26 Heinkel He111H-3 (3178). Starboard engine damaged by naval AA during armed reconnaissance between Dombås and Åndalsnes, also attacked by Skuas of No. 800 (FAA) Squadron (Capt R. J. Partridge, Lt E. Taylour, and Sub Lt B. H. Hurle-Hobbs). Retired south but finally crash-landed by Lake Heilstuguvatnet in hills near Grotle, west of Bremanger, Norway at 1.30 p.m. (FF) Lt Horst Schopis, and (BM) Uffz Josef Auchtor both captured unhurt, (BeO) Fw Karl-Heinz Strunk, and (BF) Uffz Hans Hauck killed. Aircraft 1H+CT 100% write-off.
This crew took shelter in a nearby shed where they were later joined by the crew of one of the Skuas that had attacked them - brought down by return fire. Reports differ, but one of the German crew, who set out next day with one of the British airmen to get help, was reportedly shot dead by a Norwegian patrol."

Regards,

[peter.werry]

'Fledgling Eagles' by C.Shores et al. Grub Street (1991) states that the Skua (6A) was piloted by Capt. R.J.Partridge, RM with Lt. Bostock. It was Capt. Partridge and Uffz. Hauck set out together on 28th to try and find help for the wounded German observer (not identified) and were discovered by a Norwegian patrol, who shot Hauck before the situation became clear.
Regards
Peter Werry

[Melvin Brownless]

Many, many thanks Larry & Peter. a very interesting story indeed. Kjell tells me that there has been a film released about this story called "Into the white", I believe released in March!

Kind regards to you both,

Melvin

www.aircrewremembrancesociety.com

[Peglar]

http://www.intothewhite-film.de/

Greetings Peglar