He 115 Shot Down by Hudson on 7 September 1940

[Peter Cook]

Heinkel He 115 M2+FH of 1./Ku.FI.Gr.106 was shot down over the North Sea on 7 September 1940 by a Lockheed Hudson, but sources that I have checked cannot link a specific claim to this loss. However, F/O Terence Bulloch of 206 Squadron RAF Coastal Command supposedly claimed a He 115 on 5 September, but none were lost to enemy action on that date, and Bulloch's is the only Hudson claim within this approximate time frame. Any thoughts?

[phasselgren]

According to a combat report in AIR 15/371 Hudson "W" from 206 Sqn attacked a He.115 forcing it to land in the water at 1950 hours 6.9.40 about 85 miles NE of Cromer.

Nothing for the following date but at 0600 hours on 8.9.40. about 45 miles NW of Texel Hudson "S" attacked and damaged a He 115. There was also a comment: "It is of interest to note that a Blenheim of No.235 Squadron saw, on the following day, two upturned floats of a Heinkel 115, in a position 3 miles on a bearing of 170 degr from this position."

[Chris Goss]

CC Intsum has nothing for this date. 6 Sep He 115 damaged (1944hrs) and another probable (2020hrs) by 206 Sqn (latter bombed by Bulloch). One inconclusive (0600hrs) on 8 Sep to 206 Sqn. Nothing on 5 Sep

[richdlc]

Have you checked in our book?

07.09.40 1./106 He 115B 'M2+FH' WNr. 2724 100% Pl.Qu. 6779 (North Sea).

Shot down by a Lockheed Hudson. One crew member wounded. The RAF recorded this combat as taking place on the evening of 06.09.40 when aircraft 'W' of No.206 Sqn. from Bircham Newton attacked a He 115 flying at 250 feet 40 miles off Cromer.* In a half-hour engagement the He 115 was forced down onto the sea with an engine stopped and oil leaking.* 2 or 3 red Verey lights were then fired from the Heinkel.

[robert]

Hi Richdlc,

please consult war diary of German K.Fl.Gr.406. How this loss could take place on 7.9.40?
This damaged at 19.44 hrs was 8L+BH that actually was not hit and got on tail of the Hudson and then British crew broke off escaping into cloud.

In fact crew of M2+FH reported that 4 bombs were dropped by the enemy plane but they did not make any harm.

Best regards

Robert

[JoMe]

Hi
I read a lot of nonsense here.
This was the loss:
06.09.1940
1/KFGr.106
Norderney
He 115 B
WNo.2730 / M2 + FH
Durchstarten/Absturz (cancellation landing, but restart) über linke Fläche
1vw,2-

best wishes
JoMe

[Stig Jarlevik]

JoMe

I really can't even see the Germans totally misunderstanding a situation where an aircraft gets shot down
and a take off crash as reported for WNr 2730

Since I know Björn quite well (even if we never met) and his exceptional knowledge about
not only Norwegian aircraft but also everyting concerning seaplanes in WW 2 I am quite happy to go with
his version as listed by Rich above

Why there is a one day discrepancy (6th vs 7th) I don't know, but recordings by bored clerks did go wrong quite
a few times as we have seen many times before.

Cheers
Stig

[Peter Cook]

Thank you all for the answers to my original query, and Richdic, I would buy a copy of your He 115 book but it is out of print, not available on Amazon or AbeBooks, and too pricey on eBay!

Peter

[Chris Goss]

Just consulted my 1./106 KTB-sadly it ends 3 Sep 40

[robert]

according to war diary of K.Fl.Gr.406 it was M2+EH, which crashed on landing sometimes between 22.30 and 23.10 hrs German time.