1/Auf.Gp.Ob.d.Luft

[Brian Bines]

Could anyone help with the crew details of the following missing He111's please 19-1-1940 crew of Ltn. Febuhl, 22-2-1940 crews of Ltn Grote and that of Oblt. Kruger,

Thanks

Brian Bines

[Peter Cornwell]

Brian,

This is what I have currently:

1.(F)/Aufkl.Gr.Ob.d.L. Heinkel He111H (5542). Shot down by Red Section No. 603 Squadron (F/L H. A. J. MacDonald, P/O J. G. E. Haig, P/O G. K. Gilroy, and Sgt J. R. Caister) and crashed into the sea 60 miles off Aberdeen, Scotland 1.15 p.m. (Beo) Lt.d.R. Johann Fokuhl, (Ff) Uffz.d.R. Fritz Schneider, and (Bm) Uffz.d.R. Heinz Hartwig killed. (Bm) Uffz. Otto Schäfer missing. Aircraft lost.
The bodies of Uffz Schneider and Lt Fokuhl were washed up at Rattray Head on January 31, that of Uffz Hartwig coming ashore on February 2. They were originally buried together in Grave 1506 of Buckburn Cemetery, Aberdeen.

1.(F)/Aufkl.Gr.Ob.d.L. Heinkel He111P-2 (1594). Sortied on photo-reconnaissance of the Firth of Forth but intercepted by Squadron Leader A. D. Farquhar of No. 602 Squadron and Pilot Officer G. V. Proudman of No. 65 Squadron. Belly-landed at East Coldingham, near St Abb’s Head, Berwickshire 12.30 p.m. (Ff) Lt.d.R. Erich Grote, (Beo) Fw. Fritz Sprigath, (Bf) Uffz. Wilhelm Berger captured unhurt. (Bm) Uffz. Walter Bachmann captured badly wounded, admitted to hospital in Berwick. Aircraft T5+OH fired by crew.
Squadron Leader Farquhar landed beside the Heinkel but his Spitfire overturned and he had to be rescued by Fw Sprigath, whose action was later acknowledged in the British Parliament.

3.(F)/Aufkl.Gr.Ob.d.L. Heinkel He111P-2 (2694). Engaged on photo-reconnaissance sortie to Carlisle but intercepted by F/L P. W. Townsend and Sgt C. A. H. Ayling of No. 43 Squadron and shot down in the North Sea 30 miles off Farne Island. Oberlt Hans-Werner Krüger and crew missing. Aircraft L2+CS lost.
Note: Werk Nummer duplication of later KG27 loss.

I would be most grateful for full crew details of this third loss - anyone ?

[Brian Bines]

Peter,

Thanks again, much appreciated,

Regards

Brian Bines