PQ 17 losses

[Adam]

Perhaps someone can shed light on the following for me, please:

In PRO AIR 16/540 it notes that the Christopher Newport was torpedoed by a 'solitary He 115'. It does not give a date or the results of the attack but as, from what I have read, the ship was sunk by U-457 I am a little confused. Any help on identifying the crew and aircraft of this possible attack would be appreciated.

In addition if anyone could shed any light on aircraft (Wnrs, Vkz, Units, etc) and crews that claimed the eight ships sunk from PQ-17 and the ten from PQ-18 I'd be most appreciative.

Thanks in advance for any assistance

Adam T

[Heuser]

Hello Adam!
PQ 17 was attacked by He 115´s of the Küstenfliegergruppe 406 (02/07/42 and 03/07/43, 1 Liberty-Ship destroyed), the II./KG 30 (Ju 88 ) and 26 He 111 of the I./KG 26 (both 04/07/42). The KG 26 losses: 4 Heinkels, almost all others damaged. They claimed 3 ships destroyed, 3 damaged.
Ship losses altogether: 24 ( including submarine-claims)

PQ 18 was attacked by I./KG 26, III./KG 26 (Ju 88 ) and parts of KG 30 at 13/09/42, 14/09/42 and 18/09/42. KG 26 losses: 12 He 111, 8 Ju 88. OKW-report:10 ships (52908 BRT) destroyed by air raids.

VKZ: Kü.Fl.Gr. 406: K6+, KG 26 1H+, KG 30: 4D+

Sorry for my terrible english, regards
Heuser

[Adam]

Hi Heuser

Thanks for the prompt responce - there's nothing wrong with your English! Aside from what you mention I seem to remember 1./KuFlGr 906 also being involved, IIRC, in PQ 17 at least.

Still would appreciate further details on a/c and crew particulars for those claiming ships sunk and/or damaged from either convoy.

Cheers

[Heuser]

Hello Adam!
You´re right, the Kü.Fl.Gr. 906 (VKZ 8L+, ???) was involved in the attacks at 2./3. of July.
I´ve got only one information about a PQ17-ship:
The "William Hooper" was torpedoed by He 111 of Hauptmann Eicke, Gruppenkommandeur of the I./KG 26.
Tomorrow I can give you all personal losses of KG 26, but I gotta go to bed now. Wake up call in 5 hours...
Greetings from upper middle-rhine valley, Germany
Heuser

[Heuser]

Hello, it´ me again!

Losses 04/07/42, I./KG 26:
Lt. Konrad Hennemann MIA
Uffz. Herbert Gabriel MIA
Uffz. Johann Zopes MIA
Ogefr. Artur Scholz MIA
Lt. Georg Kaumeyr POW
Fw. Felix Schlenkermann POW
Uffz. Helmut Clausnitzer POW
Gefr. Theodor Mands POW
Fw. Emil Klara WIA
Oblt. Joachim Müller WIA
Uffz. Erich Lendl KIA
Uffz. Gerhard Arnold KIA

t.b.c.

[Heuser]

Hello Adam!
I´ve found two links in German language about PQ 17 and PQ 18, including everything: convoy ships, escort-group ships, Luftwaffe-units, submarines, losses...:
PQ 17, look at "1.-28.7.1942 Nordmeer"

http://www.wlb-stuttgart.de/~www/seekrieg/42-07.htm

PQ 18, look at "12.-18.9.1942 Nordmeer"

http://www.wlb-stuttgart.de/~www/seekrieg/42-09.htm

Send PM if you need an awful translation.
Regards, Heuser