Do17 submarine claims 5.7.1940

[Adam]

Can anyone provide information on the identity of the unit/crew that were apparently responsible for the loss of HMS Shark on 5 July 1940? The crew claimed a Do17 shot down before it was forced to surrender - likewise, any info on the apparently lost bomber would be appreciated

TIA

[Peter Cornwell]

No sign of any related Dornier casualties but I do have the following:

1./BoFlGr. 196 Arado Ar196A. Returned to Stavanger-Sola starboard wing slightly damaged by return fire during attack on submarine HMS Shark off Skudesnes 11.15 p.m. Lt zur See Gerhard Gottschalk and Uffz [ ] Manjok both unhurt. Aircraft T3+LH repairable.

If anyone can provide the first name of the second crewman it would be most helpful.

[Matti Salonen]

Ofw Gerhard Manjok was MIA on 30 Nov 1942 when acting as a pilot of 4./Fl.Erg.Gr. (See) Ar 196 A-3. He had an EKM from 5./B.Fl.Gr. 196, so probably the same guy.

Matti

[Peter Cornwell]

Nice one Matti. Many thanks.

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

So are we suggesting that the loss was due to an attack by the Ar196 rather than a Do17? Does anyone know if photos exist of this seaplane from 1,/BoFlGr196? It would make an excellent profile subject and we're working on the engineering drawings for the Ar196 right now for the EoE Project. Was this a/c flying off a German warship, or from a land base?

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

According to the German after action report on this incident, discovered by one of our researchers, there were three Ar196s involved in the attack on the "Shark," as well as two Bf109s that strafed it. The sub was also shadowed after it surrendered by a Do18 flying boat. It was taken under tow by a German trawler but sank before it could reach Stavanger, Norway. There were no Do17s involved. We now have the full story from both sides for the EoE project, including the names of several of the German aircrew men involved. We also have photos of one of the Ar196s involved, which will make an excellent profile subject. Quite a story. Are there any photos known of the "Shark?"

[Peter Cornwell]

My reply to Adam's initial question was only the tip of the iceberg. Total Lw casualties resulting from this incident over two days stand as follows:

5 July 1940 1./BoFlGr.196 Arado Ar196A. Returned to Stavanger-Sola starboard wing slightly damaged by return fire during attack on submarine HMS Shark off Skudesnes 10.15 p.m. Lt zur See Gerhard Gottschalk and Uffz Gerhard Manjok both unhurt. Aircraft T3+LH repairable.

6 July 1940 1./BoFlGr.196 Arado Ar196A-2 (0041). Port float holed by return fire during attacks on submarine HMS Shark surfaced off Skudesnes. Landed and tied up alongside to prevent further strafing by Bf109s but capsized and sank 4.00 a.m. Oberlt zur See [ ] Junker and Oberlt zur See Gerhard Schreck both taken aboard unhurt. Aircraft T3+BH 100% write-off.
HMS Shark (S54) was badly damaged astern in an initial bombing attack by two Ar196 of 1./BoFlGr.196 around 10.25 p.m. on 5 July 1940 and forced to the surface. Subjected to repeated air attacks over a period of several hours she was finally forced to surrender. Her badly wounded captain, Lt-Cdr Peter Buckley, and his Chief Engineer, along with both Ar196 crew, were later taken aboard Do18 M2+FK of 2./KüFlGr.106 and flown to Stavanger. Of the 35 submariners, one was reported missing, two killed, while six were seriously wounded and about ten more slightly injured. Most of these injuries occurred during strafing attacks by two Bf109s at 3.15 a.m.

6 July 1940 1./BoFlGr. 196 Arado Ar196A. Returned to Stavanger-Sola hit by return fire during attack on submarine HMS Shark off Skudesnes 3.00 a.m. Lt Eberhard Stelter and Uffz Helmut Stamp both unhurt. Aircraft T3+GH repairable.

6 July 1940 2./KüFlGr.106 Dornier Do18. Returned slightly damaged by AA fire during attack on HMS Shark off Skudesnes 3.45 a.m. FF Oberlt Johannes Heuveldop, BO Lt zur See [ ] Rass, HBO Fw [ ] Möller, and BM Uffz Ewald Brasch all unhurt. Aircraft M2+EK damage state not recorded.

6 July 1940 2./KüFlGr.106 Dornier Do18. Reportedly damaged on return following sortie to pick up survivors from captured HMS Shark on the surface and under air escort off Skudesnes 4.30 a.m. Major Karl Stockmann (Gruppenkommandeur KüFlGr.406), Oberlt zur See [ ] Kindelbacher, Oberfw [ ] Trost, Fw [ ] Scheindel, and HBO Uffz Werner Kahlfeld all unhurt. Aircraft M2+FK damage state not recorded.
This aircraft returned to Stavanger carrying two captured RN officers from HMS Shark and both crewmen of the scuttled Ar196 T3+BH.

[Adam]

Thank you to all concerned. Much appreciated!

[Matti Salonen]

Very useful info, Peter. Two first names can be added: Heinz Möller, Martin Scheindel.

Matti