Luftwaffe bomber losses Jan & Feb 1941

[Micetro]

Hello Guys,

I'm trying to find out whether there were any Luftwaffe bomber losses from Operations in the Scotland area from Mid-Jan to Mid-Feb '41. In John Foreman's RAF Victory Claims Part 2 all I can find are:

Jan:

12th - 3 Sqn - F/L A.E. Berry - Do 17 Destroyed - Fair Isle

17th - 3 Sqn - F/L A.E. Berry - He 111 Destroyed - Fair Isle

Feb:

13th - 111 Sqn - P/O Gage - He 111 Damaged - Off Aberdeen

I believe 602 Sqn based at Prestwick made a number of interceptions during both of those periods, especially on the 20th Jan off the Mull of Kintyre, allegedly against a He 111 and possibly on 18th Feb off Arran (could be up to 3 days later than the 18th), this time against two He 111s.

If anybody has access to Luftwaffe loss lists for that period I would be very interested to know if any losses were recorded for aircraft operating in that area.

Regards Tom

[Brian Bines]

Tom,

A couple I have from notes,

12-2-41 Ju88 1(F)/120 misssion the E.Coast of Scotland hit by AA crashed Pitarlie crew killed.

19-2-41 He111 I/KG26 mission to E.coast Scotland missing following AA damage .

21-2-41 He111 3/KG26 sent to attack oil tanks at thr Faroes Islands, hit by ground fire and ditched by the Faroes crew POW, picked up by ship and bought to Leith,

Regards

Brian Bines

[Bruce Lander]

Hi Tom

From John Freman's "1941-The Turning Point - Ftom the Battle of Britain to the Blitz,Vol 1"

12-1-41 11.30 hrs Red secton of 3 Squadron scrambled from Sumburgh & at 11.40
intercepted a Dornier 17 over Fair Isle and claimed probably destroyed by
F/Lt Berry. Air Intellegence reported a German aircraft cashing in Sea in this
area

17-1-41 2 Hurricanes of 3 Squadron on patrol intercepted a He111H-2 of Wekusta 1
over Fair Isle. This was shot down by F/Lt Berry and crashed on Fail Isle
it was T5+HU or EU (2645) of Wekusta 1 flown by Lt.Thurz,.

13-2-41 18.30 Hrs P/O Gage & P/O Tucker claimed a He.111 damaged off Aberdeen
Mr.Foreman ties this in with a He111 of 3/KG53 which force-landed at
Sangatte damaged 50% - NB:this seems unlikely

Cheers

Bruce Lander

[Micetro]

Hello Brian and Bruce,

Many thanks for digging out the additional info, if anybody knows of any further losses I'd really appreciate hearing of them.

Regards Tom

[Brian Bines]

23-2-1941 He115 3/506 wn 2774 missing from mission to E Coast of Scotland.

[Micetro]

Thanks again Brian,

Think I need to make a trip to Kew to look at the 602 Sqn ORB as I can't find any combat reports...

Regards Tom