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

[Peter Cornwell]

Hello Bas,

That is not what was said. I stated that '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' also, 'As for the losses on May 15, 1940, ... I believe Stab KG54 suffered no losses on that date'.

In fact KG54 lost two He111Ps on May 15, 1940, as follows:

1./KG54 Heinkel He111P-2. Reportedly set alight by AA fire over Hoeilaart, south of Brussels, during armed reconnaissance sortie but believed that attacked by Adj Leblanc, S/Lt Bevillard, and Sgt Gouzi of GC III/3. Crash-landed and burned out at Huizingen 7.00 a.m. FF Lt Hans-Burkhard Eymer, BF Gefr Heinz Huhle, BO Gefr August Müller, and BM Flgr Hermann Meister captured unhurt. Aircraft B3+KH 100% write-off.


3./KG54 Heinkel He111P-2. Returned damaged in attacks by Adj Leblanc, S/Lt Bevillard, and Sgt Gouzi of GC III/3 between Tirlemont and St Trond 7.00 a.m. BM Uffz Fritz Göggel and BF Uffz Karl Ilsemann both slightly wounded - admitted to hospital in Quakenbrück, rest of crew unhurt. Aircraft 10% damaged - repairable.

My main source are my own records which I have assembled over many years based upon a thorough analysis/comparison of surviving Lw records; in this particular case the QMG Returns & NVMs for KG54. Wherever possible I prefer to rely upon original documentary sources to establish the facts rather than simply accept previously published/compiled records/databases etc. May I recommend that you consider adopting a similar 'back to basics' approach to any revisions that you may feel are necessary to your own listings - still viewed by many as a valuable research tool ?

I am in full agreement with Pieter's response.

Regards,

Peter C