Guernsey June 1940

[Brian]

Hi guys

On 28 June 1940, six He111s bombed St Peter Port, Guernsey. Do we know from which unit the Heinkels belonged?

On 30 June, three Do17s landed at Guernsey Airport. When the first one landed, piloted by a Ltn Huber, did it carry Hptm Liebe-Pieteitz on board? Which unit were the Dorniers from?

Any information will be most useful.

Here's hoping

Cheers
Brian

[niallc]

Brian
According to the Lfl.Kdo 3 SitRep No 7 of 28/6 the bombing was carried out by a force of 9 aircraft (covering both St. Helier and St. Peter Port) from I/KG55 up at 18.50 from Villacoublay and dropping 180 x SD50s.
The Dorniers that landed on the 30th were from (F)123. I know nothing more about who was on board them, but Winston Ramsey’s “War in the Channel Islands: then and now” suggests that Hptm Liebe-Pieteritz was present and it was he who took the decision to take a chance and land.
BTW there is quite a lot of material covering these events at Kew in GCCS files HW5/2 and 5/3 and in AIR22/478 (Y Service).

HTH
Niall

[Brian Bines]

The Guernsey (30th June T/O 1253 Hrs.) landings were 3(F(/123 according to the book ''The Easter Bunnies'' by Roman Gastager. He was flying in Do17 4U+FL pilot Ltn Hauber which was the first to land of three Dorniers and Gastager was the first the get out on British soil. It also says the flight was carried under the command of St.Kap Liebe-Piderit and Goering came to congratulate the crews on their return at Buc. It would appear that Liebe-Piderit was later killed flying the Bleriot monoplane that made the first Channel Crossing. Gastager says of Liebe-Piderit that he was a great St.Kap and an enthusiastic pilot,

Hope this helps

Regards

Brian Bines

[Brian]

Thanks Brian

I do have a copy of EASTER BUNNIES but it is out on loan at present! Thanks for the reminder. The mystery deepens, however!

Cheers
Brian