Fw 58 or He 59 - 11 August 1940

[Nick Beale]

From TNA HW 13/28: German Naval Air Activity Vol. II: Carrier- and land-based units (28 Dec 1939–31 Dec 1940)

11 August 1940, North Sea

… the bulk of the work was done by CWA (Cherbourg?) who controlled surface craft CWW, CWT, LWH and LWB between 0545 and 1705. CWW left port at 0545 and reported a strong swell and state of sea 3–4. At 1104, he sighted 5 aircraft in close formation 50 km 330º W. of Cherbourg. He sent out an SOS at 1246 reporting a salvage aircraft in flames. The crew was picked up and control was asked to have an ambulance and surgeon at the harbour for a severe casualty. Meanwhile, at 1244, CWT also sent out an SOS announcing that he was engaging enemy fighters. At 1301 a third unit LWH told control he was proceeding to place of accident (position was not given) … CWT informed Control at 1405 that he had pcked up a Flight Serjeant [sic] (Nr. 14 60027) and handed him over to an S-boat.

"Salvage aircraft" is (I think) what the British listeners were calling what we'd term a rescue aircraft.