Mauling of Stabstafffel of KG54 on 19.5.40

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

I'm trying to sort out if any identified photos exist from the loss of three He111Ps from the Stabstaffel of KG54 that was mauled by British fighters during a mission to the Arras area of France on 19.5.40. I have Radtke's account and info in his KG54 history, and brief interrogation reports from some crewmen. Does anyone know the precise locations of each of the three crashes (other than what is in "Twelve Days in May") and are any photos known from these crashes? It does not appear that any of these aircraft came down substantially intact, although there were POWs from all three crews. The Gesch Kdre, Oberst Karl Lackner, reportedly bailed out of one of these aircraft (B3+AA?) and wounded, became a POW of the French, while the Gesch Adj, Oblt. Heinrich Howe, also bailed out of the same aircraft and at least initially was listed as a POW of the British. However, he may have subsequently died, as Radtke lists him as "gefallen." Perhaps he died of his wounds or injuries while in captivity. Lackner subsequently escaped from captivity, apparently returing to German control on 25.5.40, but did not resume his duties as Gesch Kde.

Does anyone know any other details of the events surrounding this action or know of any sources of photos of the crashes?

Thanx