Story behind photo of B3+LM

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

I'm trying to caption a photo of the fuselage of He111P B3+LM which appears on the rear deck of a German ferry, apparently being salvaged and returned to Germany for repair or rebuilding.

According to the KG 54 history, a B3+LM of 4 Staffel, with Oblt. FNU Willerding piloting, was lost on a 21.4.40 mission over the Baltic. This was one of four II./KG54 aircraft that got lost and ran low on fuel during a mission against the Steinkjer RR Yards in Norway on that date. Two or three of these Heinkels force-landed on the Island of Gottland (2 for sure and one uncertain where it came down, but all three crews were interned in Sweden), while a fourth (B3+LM) apparently came down in the sea near the Danish Island of Bornholm, which is in the Baltic sea directly south of Sweden. Apparently the crew was returned to German control. Was that aircraft subsequently salvaged from the sea and returned by ferry to Germany, thus explaining my photo? Does anyone know of any source of eye-witness accounts of the losses of any of these four KG 54 Heinkels? Last September, two photos and a WNr. plate from one of the Gottland crashes was discussed on this board.

Also, does anyone know the full name of Oblt Willerding, and/or the names of any of the other crewmen aboard B3+LM? Thanks for any help concerning this flight and these aircraft and crews.

Regards,