Shot down Fw 189 on 16.5.1940

[Marius]

Peter,
I am sure the type could has been misifdentified by French pilots as a "Do 17".
Otherwise, the 79 Sqd achieved all 3 victories in the evening. The simplest way to compare and check both Fw 189 losses is to find out when exactly they flew their missions.
Any idea who could know these details ?

[Peter T]

Hi Marius,

German sources do not provide any detail.

I have an account by P/O TC Parker, and it’s clear that he shot down the Focke-Wulf Fw189A-0 of FF Uffz Heinz Schmitz: “ Led Green section with P/O Dorien-Smith and Sgt McQueen. Saw Focke Wolfe (sic) at 3000 ft so attacked with good lookout for Me’s, enemy/a dived down very low but closed up and fired until he hit the ground and exploded. We were then subjected to extremely heavy ground fire of all kinds which damaged all the a/c. …”

The second Focke-Wulf Fw189A-0 was claimed by P/O Clift, and Sgt Cartwright. Although I do not have a combat report, I see no reason to question the validity of these claims

Peter

[Seaplanes]

Considering that not a single FW 189A-1 series had left the production lines by 30 June 1940, one must anticipate that any aircraft must have been a V-muster or one of a few A-0 pre-production series. On 30.6.40 most of these were serving as test aircraft either at Focke-Wulf or at Rechlin.

[Marius]

Thanks Peter.
But what about the third shot down Fw 189 ???
And why don`t you think that all three pilots claimed the same aircraft (Seehase) ? Or maybe one of the British pilots shot at the Hs 126 of 4.(H)/13 ?

[Peter Cornwell]

Marius,

There were only two Fw189s lost that day. So why not accept the simple fact that No.79 Squadron shot them both down as claimed ?

Sealanes,

Yes, they were pre-production A-0s under operational evaluation with 9.(H)/LG2.

[Marius]

Peter, because there is a French fighter section which could have destroyed one. According to a personal account the "Do 17" forcelanded in the Gembloux area.
On the other hand it is difficult to believe 3 new recconaissance aircraft flew a mission in a Kette. But maybe this was a "bombing mission", but could the Fw 189 A-0 version carry bombs ?

[Peter Cornwell]

Marius,

I have nothing further to add. You must believe what you wish.

[Marius]

Peter, no problem. But I think the British records from that period (France 1940) are not very accurate and full of mistakes and overclaiming.

Nevertheless I hope somebody can provide us with the hours of action of the Fw 189 due to German records.

[ClinA-78]

Hello

If I remember the only witness of the FW 189 I met told me it occured in the morning and sure he remembered very well the allied fighters (2-3?) firing at the German aircraft. He was even injured at one finger by a bullet splinter (?) and 'nursed' on the crashsite by... Germans as he told me. I don't check the location of the second aircraft which was recorded between Orbais and Walhain (quite large area) if I remember.

May 40 will remain for ever 'une foire d'empoigne' ;-)

Best regards

[Marius]

Hello,
what is your source please ?
One Fw 189 shot down in the morning ?