Breguet Bizerte in German service.

[cheesey]

Hello all.

I believe that approx 17 Breguet Br-521 Bizerte seaplanes were used by the Germans during WWII. Are there any Luftwaffe maritime experts out there who know the fates of these aircraft?

I know its asking alot but any help would be appreciated!

Steve.

[Peter D Evans]

This was posted by Jörg on the LEMB as part of this bigger thread on the type:

It's an interesting point of history that many of the "Bizerte" with German markings weren't captured but were bought. On July 26, 1940, in Wiesbaden the German armistice commission asked the French delegation if they had to sale some French a/c ... for non-military using machines from the free French territory (later Vichy-France). On July 27, 1940, the French admirality gave their "O.K." ... with a letter from July 30, 1940, that available only 8 "Bizerte" (4 in France and 4 in Karouba/Tunesia). On the same day a German float-Ju 52 landed with two complete crews (with Lt. Klingspohr and Lt. Unterhorst) in Hourtin and captured the W.Nr. 11 and 34 ... the French leaved the a/c because of technical failures and the lack of spare parts. French mechanics repaired the a/c's, they got German markings and then was flown to Brest-Poulmic on August 7, 1940 ---- this were "right captured machines". Other "right captured machines" were the W.Nr. 35, 36 and 37 from Le Havre which were never used official by French marine.

On August 9, 1940, 4 "Bizerte" (W.Nr. 23 -- with French marking 2E1, 26 -- 3E1, 6 -- 3E2 and 7 -- 3E4) arrived in Berre coming from Karouba.

On August 12, 1940, in Berre German engineers inspected the "Bizerte" W.Nr. 4,6,7,23,24,26,27 and 29. Together with French pilots they tested four machines in flight ... all the time with French markings.

The sales talks were in Berre. The French agent of admirality, an special supreme commissioner, insisted on that the a/c's start not until the German armistice commission give their "O.K." to the price ... on August 15, 1940, was it given and the machines were sold for 43.240.000 FFr. (the real value was 25.000.000 FFr.). Now the machines got German markings. On August 17, 1940, the W.Nr. 6,7,26 and 27 were flown to Brest-Poulmic, on August 19, 1940, followed the W.Nr. 4, 24 and 29, two days later the W.Nr. 23. It's interesting that the French admirality had more than 8 "Bizerte" (all in all 19 machines) but the Germans didn't insist on their demand for more flying boats.

With the occupation of the "free French part" in the South the Luftwaffe got new "Bizerte". On November 30, 1942, discovered two Do 24 in Berre two "Bizerte" with "Red Crosses" and something later the base Berre was occupied with the French a/c's.

"Bizerte" - list:

1.Seenotstaffel:

• W.Nr. 3 -- CN+UR, W4+FH
• W.Nr. 4 -- KD+BA, W4+GH
• W.Nr. 6
• W.Nr. 7
• W.Nr.11 -- SG+FM
• W.Nr.12 -- PG+FK, W4+IH
• W.Nr.23
• W.Nr.24
• W.Nr.26 -- KD+BE
• W.Nr.27
• W.Nr.29 -- KD+BG
• W.Nr.34 -- SG+FN
• W.Nr.35 -- BD+KH (?)
• W.Nr.36 -- BD+KI, W4+HH
• W.Nr.37 -- BD+XJ

3.Seenotstaffel:

• W.Nr.20 -- CN+UW, M6+HI
• W.Nr.22 -- KK+LB, M&+GL

Designations without W.Nr.: WZ+AA, WZ+AB, WZ+AD, CN+UU

Source: an three-piece article from Gerard Bosquet in the Flugzeug magazine 5,6/ 1987 and 1/1988 with a lot of pics

Best regards
Jörg

Cheers,

Peter D Evans
LEMB Adminstrator

[cheesey]

Thank you very much Peter. I think this has cleared up a minor mystery that has been bugging me for the last couple of months!

My interest lies with Breguet Bizerte Br-521 W.Nr.11 (SG+FM) of 1.Seenotstaffel. My freind Rémi from Brittany sent me some info regarding the loss of a Breguet seaplane near to the island of Jersey on the 6th November 1940.

The a/c crashed, burned and sank and the 3 crew were saved. But the type of seaplane puzzled me. Rémi very kindly sent me a photo of a small seaplane in German service which didn't quite fit the bill! I was convinced the true type to be a Br-521, this info has confirmed my belief.

To add 'meat to the bone' of this loss, I have a diary entry written by a local chap called Edward Le Quesne and published as a day to day account of the German occupation of Jersey.

“.... the local destruction of two enemy planes.One of the planes crashed at La Chaire, Rozel, the other at La Moye. The one at La Moye crashed at 3.30am and the flash and roar of the explosion woke us up with the first idea that it was a thunderstorm”.

The one at La Moye (which is in the SW corner of the island) is, I believe, possibly the Bizerte W.Nr.11! I may be wrong but it seems feesible. If anyone can confirm this loss/date then I would be grateful.

Once again thanks Peter....Steve.

Just found this via link in the LEMB article which confirms loss of SG+FM on 6/11/40. PS: Can anyone translate from Dutch the info re SG+FM mentioned in the article for me ?????

http://www.avianet.nl/redactioneel/2...00/red0086.htm

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by cheesey

Hello all.

I believe that approx 17 Breguet Br-521 Bizerte seaplanes were used by the Germans during WWII. Are there any Luftwaffe maritime experts out there who know the fates of these aircraft?

I know its asking alot but any help would be appreciated!

Steve.

Some served with Seenotkommando Berre until August 1944: see the article on my website about Operation Dragoon which includes a couple of Werk Nummern.

[Pilot]

One image if this worth any...

[Peter D Evans]

Originally Posted by cheesey

Thank you very much Peter. I think this has cleared up a minor mystery that has been bugging me for the last couple of months!

My pleasure Steve... and thanks for the additional link - and thanks Nick for your link too...

Kind regards

Peter D Evans
LEMB Administrator