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Luftwaffe and Axis Air Forces Please use this forum to discuss the German Luftwaffe and the Air Forces of its Allies. |
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#1
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Aircraft wrecks (Heinkel 111s) on Lundy Island 1941
Gentlemen - sometime in 1941, two Heinkel IIIs made forced landings on Lundy Island in the Bristol Channel. After 60 years, the remains of these aircraft have been badly plundered by souvenir hunters, but the heavy engine casings of the Jumos, and some u/c parts are still recognisable (Summer 2006). I would be very interested in hearing some details on these aircraft, and the fate of their crews. Does anybody know the reason for landing, were the aircraft attacked by the RAF, or suffer engine problems, or were they maybe hit by flak ? What were their units, and base - Brittany maybe, KG40 perhaps ? What were their targets - Cardiff, Newport, or Bristol ? Did the German crew survive ? Any info appreciated. Cheers.
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#2
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Re: Aircraft wrecks (Heinkel IIIs) on Lundy Island 1941
From what I recall (and I am away from home at the moment), both were from KG 27. I can check again tomorrow
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#3
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Re: Aircraft wrecks (Heinkel IIIs) on Lundy Island 1941
Hello
one was He 111 H-5 (1G+AL) from 3./KG 27. It had its port engine badly damaged by AA fire during the 2nd attack on m.v. Port Townsville, which sank a day later because of the damage caused by the 2 attacking He 111s, in an escorted convoy off the SW coast of Wales on 030341. The other He (1G+HL) was also badly damaged by convoy's AA fire and made a force landing in Co. Wexford in Eire. 1G+AL was unable to maintain height on one engine and the pilot made a force landing on Lundy. The plane burst into flames on landing and was destroyed but the 5 crew members escaped the blazing a/c without injury and surrendered to the island's lighthouse keeper. IIRC the other He 111 which force landed on Lundy was damaged by Hurricanes but I may well be wrong in this. Hopefully Chris Goss can clear this one. HTH Juha |
#4
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Re: Aircraft wrecks (Heinkel IIIs) on Lundy Island 1941
2nd one was 1 Apr 41, intercepted by 316 Sqn but Ofw Lorra of 3/KG 27 crash-landed in Eire; however, Uffz Guenther Nicolei of 3/KG 27 suffered engine failure but crashed into cliffs trying to force-land his He 111 H-5, 3837, 1G+FL. Juha was almost right!
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#5
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Re: Aircraft wrecks (Heinkel 111s) on Lundy Island 1941
Gentlemen - thank you for your responses to my question(s) about Lundy's mystery Heinkels. To summarise, my understanding of your information is as follows :
Two Heinkels attack MV Port Townsville (twice), which is in convoy with other vessels. The first is He 111 H-5 (1G+AL) from 3./KG 27. This aircraft crash landed on Lundy, and was destroyed in subsequent fire. There were 5 survivors, subsequently taken prisoner. The second aircraft involved in the attack on MV Port Townsville was He III (1G+HL), but this a/c crashed in Co Wexford, Eire. At one of the crash sites, even after all this time - there is considerable evidence of an intense fire - the patch of ground remains charred, and there are countless small blobs of aluminium, scattered amongst a few larger pieces of engine casing, and what looks like u/c components. From your information, I would venture to suggest this is the wreck site of He 111 H-5 (1G+AL). The second a/c to crash on Lundy is also a Heinkel III H-5, 3837, 1G+FL also of 3/KG 27. This a/c was flown by Uffz Guenther Nicolei who attempted a forced landing on April fool's day 1941 (!) due to engine failure. Those troublesome Jumos remain visible close to the crash site, (but rather inaccessible as they now lie down a ravine) which is located as you say, near the top of the rocky cliffs on the west side of the island. (not the place to land an a/c, unless you have to!) Incidently, the a/c wreck was the subject of an ownership dispute some years ago, when the RAF complained to Lundy's landowner that islanders were salvaging the a/c grade aluminium from the wreck - which belonged to the British Government. The dispute ended when the landowner suggested that the RAF remove its property from Lundy. An RAF detail were duly despatched by boat to remove the wreck, but evidently they found it difficult to transport from the site. Not to be defeated by a Luftwaffe relic - they attempted to heave it over the cliffs, and into the sea. They seem to have failed in achieving any of their objectives ! There remain a few gaps to fill. Did Uffz Guenther Nicolei survive his crash, and does anyone have any details of what became of his crew ? Any details of his target ? Finally, could I enquire Gentlemen, can anyone supply any source documentary evidence that can assist, in backing up your information ? Thanks guys !! |
#6
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Re: Aircraft wrecks (Heinkel 111s) on Lundy Island 1941
Eviednce is NVMs and Foreman's 'The Turning Point'; there will also be K Reports for both crashes which I do not have but can get. From what I can see Nicolaei and his observer, Uffz Heinz Kunze were killed but Uffz Hans Kroker, Uffz Franz Keuchel and Gefr Adolf Hohenbaum were all taken POW
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#7
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Re: Aircraft wrecks (Heinkel 111s) on Lundy Island 1941
Sorry, no documents. My source was Patrick Cummings’ article in 18-31 Dec 1992 Aviation News.
Juha |
#8
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Re: Aircraft wrecks (Heinkel 111s) on Lundy Island 1941
Dear Juha and Chris,
Just a quick word fellas, to express my thanks for your valued information. It's very much appreciated, and at least provides me with something tangible to follow up in terms of published research. Chris, you say you can obtain copies of the K reports for these incidents ? Well, anything that usefully adds detail to fill in the gaping info black hole that I have at present would be welcome !! So, if you are able to access them without too much hassle - may I take up your kind offer ? Also, am I correct in thinking there may be a Prisoner Interrogation record knocking about in PRO Kew ? My email address is richard.oxby@btinternet.com Thanks guys, once again. Richard. |
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