Allied claims against He115s 28/29.10.40

[bill norman]

Anyone aware of an Allied claim against a He115 over the southern North Sea (c. midway between Lincolnshire coast and the Fresian Islands) at 1525hrs BST (1625hrs GST) on 28 October 1940? Also a claim against a He115 in almost the same location at 1308hrs BST (1408hrs GST) on 29 October 1940?

[RT]

Hello on 28th nothing but one on 26 th Nordsee, an other on 29.th no location for both no causes

rémi

[Chris Goss]

Yes: Hudson K of 220 Sqn had an inconclusive combat with 2 He 115s off Borkum at 1522 hrs 28 Oct and Blenheims Y, X, U of 235 Sqn also had an inconclusive combat with 2 He 115s east of Spurn Point at 1310 hrs the next day. I have a report on the latter

[bill norman]

RT, thanks for your reply: Chris Goss has provided the answers I was looking for. Chris, I have sent you a private message.

[gedburke3]

Hi,
I have a letter from Paul Heimes a Belgian that flew with 235 Squadron during the Battle of Britain. In the letter he writes

"On one occasion during the Battle I was flying in a vic of three Blenheims when we spotted a He115 Float plane which was heading across the North sea towards Denmark. We gave chase and it dived for cover. Before we were in range the Heinkel flew straight into the sea and nosed over. We hadn't shot at it at all."

Could this be the reason that you can't find a claim for it.
Gerry

[Chris Goss]

Heimes apparently arrived on 235 26 Aug and was then posted to form 272 Sqn 22 Nov 40. His name is not listed in any combats nor is their any mention of a He 115 being chased into the deck

[bill norman]

Gedburke,
Thanks for replying. The He115s I am interested in got away. Chris Goss provided the answers I was looking for. Is Paul Heimes' letter dated?

[gedburke3]

Hi Bill,
I was involved in the Battle of Britain Monument and Paul Heimes stayed with me for a few days before the unveiling. I am collating information for Ken Wynn regarding his book 'Men of The Battle of Britain' and Paul recounted his service history for me to forward to Ken. This event was mentioned several times by him. He is very unassuming and I am certain it is quite true. I transcribed his history onto paper and he duly signed it as accurate and we sent it to Ken Wynn in New Zealand. I still have a copy at home.
As an aside he told me how he won his caterpillar club badge; He was flying from Friston with Venesoen whilst flying Spits with 350 Squadron. They were trying to intercept a Mustang Squadron that were out of radio contact. They were recalled and on returning to base a storm had settled over the aerodrome. On attempting to land he clipped the roof of a hut which pushed his undercarriage into the radiator, he pushed the throttle forward to climb away and the engine rapidly began to overheat. He decided to bail out. A few days earlier he had been in the mess and had overheard another airman telling a story about how he had undone his straps, slid the canopy back and then performed a bunt (forward loop). Ths had thrown him clear of the aircraft. Paul decided to do the same thing. He managed to injure his shoulder but otherwise landed high up in a large oak tree relatively unharmed.
He returned to base only to recount his story in the mess - to his surprise the other pilot admitted that he had made the whole story up in the first place!
Best wishes
Gerry