Loss of 2 He111 of KG 54 on May 15th 1940 - The Netherlands

[RudiS]

Does anyone have more information about the loss (100%) of 2 He111's of KG54 in The Netherlands on May 15th 1940?

One went down near Vlissingen, the other one apparently ditched in the Westerschelde near Borssele.

Thanks in advance,
Rudi.

[Pieter H]

Hi Rudi,

No, am not aware of any such claims.
On the 15th only one Luftwaffe loss in that area, a Ju88 of 2./KG30.
Are you confused with May 17, when two He111's of Stab/KG4 were lost around Vlissingen?

Pieter

[leospitcon]

Take a look at www.wingstovictory.nl and go to database.
You will find all crashes in Zeeland.


Leo Bakker

[RudiS]

Thanks Leo & Pieter for your input. Very much appreciated.

My info is coming from both the SGLO & from Brongers.

SGLO mentiones the following:
May 14th, 1940: He 111 down at Yerseke, no unit given
May 15th, 1940: He 111 of Stab./KG54 down in the Vlissingen area
May 15th, 1940: He 111 of Stab./KG54 down in the Westerschelde near Borssele

Brongers mentiones the following:
May 14th,1940: He 111 of Stab./KG54 down near Vlissingen
May 15th,1940: Ju 88 of 2./KG 30 down in the Westerschelde near Borssele
May 15th:1940: He 111 of Stab./KG54 down near Yerseke

Wings to victory mentiones the same as the SGLO.

Just wondering if anyone could confirm which of these were KG 54 & if anyone had more info on these losses.

Regards,
Rudi.

[Peter Cornwell]

Rudi,

The answer to your question is none of them. There is obvious confusion in the sources that you quote and, I suspect, duplication of spurious information as one incorrect source spawns another. Like Pieter, I know of no He111 loss on May 14, 1940, to match either of the locations given and I believe Stab KG54 suffered no such loss on that date.

As for the losses on May 15, 1940, I currently have only the following listed:

2./KG30 Junkers Ju88A-1. Failed to return from low-level attack on shipping at Vlissingen and crashed into the Westerschelde estuary off Beveland, possibly victim of AA fire from destroyer HMS Whitley. FF Uffz Ludwig Wengert, BF Uffz Martin Stampfer, and BO Obergefr Josef Wunder all killed, BS Flgr Adolf Trinkl rescued by Dutch steamer and captured badly wounded – later released. Aircraft 100% write-off.
The body of bomb-aimer, Josef Wunder, was washed ashore at Borssele on May 29.

Again, I believe Stab KG54 suffered no losses on that date. Hope this is helpful.

[RudiS]

Peter,

Thanks for your reply. It's very much appreciated. I think that you're right & that no Stab./KG54 aircraft was lost that day.

Regards,
Rudi.

[Bas Maathuis]

[quote=Peter Cornwell;105690]Rudi,

The answer to your question is none of them. There is obvious confusion in the sources that you quote and, I suspect, duplication of spurious information as one incorrect source spawns another. Like Pieter, I know of no He111 loss on May 14, 1940, to match either of the locations given and I believe Stab KG54 suffered no such loss on that date. [quote]

Peter,

I've got a He 111 of 1./F 121 crashed at St.Kruis Aardenburg Zeeland on the 14th at 0600 hrs. Shot down by French Fighters
Ff Ofw. R. Schnegotzki
Bo Oblt. H. Spillmann
- Uffz. W. Collosseus
- Uffz. W. Gers
All crew kia.

And Peter, may I ask what source you are using for your statement of no losses for KG54 on the 14th and the 15th.
Just trying to get our list up to date!

Cheers

[Bas Maathuis]

Peter, Pieter,

Thanks to both of you for clearing this matter.

I don't have access to the original documents, and have to trust others for their info, which is dangerous I know.

Peter, sorry for the incorrect quote of your words.
No offense mend.

[Peter Cornwell]

Bas,

None taken. Good luck with your revisions.

[Jaap Woortman]

Rudi,

I can solve the problem.
Your information is from the Losslist of the Study Group Airwar 1939-1945.
There the two crashed planes are mentioned under T685 and T686.
You can delete both crashes.
I just have seen the transcription of the "Flugzeugunfälle und Verluste
bei den Verbänden am 15.05.40".
There both "crashes" are mentioned under "Ergänzung" for a "Meldung"
at an earlier date and most probable two "Ergänzungen" for the same
"Meldung". The original files at the film are not very well readable.
I am in discussion with Bas Maathuis and will bring this also under the
attention of the other members of the Study Group.

Jaap Woortman