He59 9 October 1941 at Oostende Harbour (Belgium)

[Luc Vervoort]

Hello,
The orb of 615 Squadron (AIR 27/2123) mentions for 9/10/1941 :
…
Off Ostende they found a 140 foot barge, and 800 ton M/V and a 240 feet 1,500 ton M ton M/V with a flakship and a ‘R’ boat for company. The C.O. climed into cloud and from this cover dived onto the ships. When the attack had finished the 800 ton vessel which was attacked four times was left damaged and smoking, the 1,500 tonner attacked eight times was belching steam, black and white smoke and was burning. The flakship was shot up by four aircraft and was claimed as damaged. The A.A.battery on the harbour entrance was attacked once. Squadron Leader Gillam flew right up the harbour and shot up a 200 ton barge and then flew into the Nouveau Bassin and destroyed one and damaged another He59 seaplane on the water. He then attacked a hangar and men running towards it. In all 5583 rounds of .303 rounds were fired and 645 of 20 mm.
...
It was subsequently learned that the second He59 was set on fire by Squadron Leader Gillam and has been given as an ‘officially’ destroyed.

Are any additional details about these He59’s available ?


Many thanks and best regards


Luc