Trying to ID photo of He111, poss 1H+KK on beach Norway or France? 1940?

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

Trying to ID the attached foto of He111 FL on beach in the West during 1940. This appears to have an insignia on the nose, but it doesn't appear to be KG26. The code appears to be 1H+KK (1H+KN or 1H+NK?), but I can't find a loss that fits in the EoE DB.

Chris Shores in "Fledgling Eagles" published this photo on P. 162 as 1H+AA, but this doesn't look like "AA."

According to the SeenotNord KTB entry for Jan 30, 1940, 1H+FA was lost on that day: "Stabsstaffel KG26 Heinkel He111H-2. Forced-landed near Neumünster damaged in attacks by Blue Section of No.111 Squadron during anti-shipping sortie east of Moray Firth 12.30 p.m. Crew unhurt. Aircraft 1H+FA 30% damaged but repairable, but this still does not appear to be correct coding for this one.

Anybody got any ideas or info; other photos?

Regards,

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

Based upon further study of this image, I now think that this is 1H+KA of the Stab of KG26, which might be a plane with this code that crashed in Norway on May 24, 1940. This doesn't look like an incident from the Blitz of 1940-41, as there is no temporary black paint on this a/c, as was typical of aircraft operating during that period.

According to the EoE Loss DB: May 24, 1940: MAY 24, 1940 SCANDINAVIAN CAMPAIGN:

Stab KG26 Heinkel He111H-3 (2411). Both engines damaged in attacks by Gladiators of No.263 Squadron (F/L C.B. Hull, F/O H.T. Grant-Ede, and F/O W. Riley) over Bardufoss and crash-landed near Storholmen, north of Gratangsbotn (Norway). FF Oberlt Hartmut Paul captured unhurt, BM Uffz Günther Eickmann and BS Uffz Hans Blunk both captured wounded – later released, BO Oberfw Eduard Strüber and BF Fw Alfred Stock both killed. Aircraft 1H+KA 100% write-off.

Can any of our Norwegian Board readers confirm that these are the same incident and perhaps provide more information on the mission of the a/c and the capture of the crew?

Regards,

[John Fredrik]

Hi Larry!

Regarding to this link I don't think this is 1H+KA, it looks like that particular plane landed on land and not on a beach.

http://ktsorens.tihlde.org/flyvrak/lavangen.html

John Fredrik

[RT]

All the letters, Larry hv straight legs , so no A there

Rémi

[Larry Hickey]

Rémi,

That's why I initially thought that this must be 1H+KK, but I've since acquired a better resolution image of this photo and the last code letter appears to be an "A" and not a "K."

I'll send you a copy of a close up of this if you'd like to see it.

Regards,

[RT]

Pls , I hv already noted , when we hv decided to see something , wrong to change mind..

Remi

[Larry Hickey]

Remi,

I just emailed you a copy of this photo. Would appreciate your comments.

Comments from elsewhere via email indicate people in Germany Navy uniforms in picture, so perhaps near a German Navy base?

Also, all examples that I know of He111 of 1./KG26 during 1940 show white code letters. This is dark (red, blue, green or black), so this isn't 1H+KH or any other 1 Staffel a/c. I think that the prop spinners are blue, which reinforces to me the idea that this is 1H+KA, although not necessarily the one downed on May 24, 1940, in Norway.

Regards,

Larry

[RT]

Finally , on reverse colors, could yes, very be KA, what about the one landed near Wulsdorf on 18. december 39 ??

Rémi

[ChrisS]

No chaps, it IS 1H+KK and you can just see the top of the KG27 emblem on the cockpit side. Looking at the greatcoats I would reckon Norway as summer 1940 was a hot one. Larry I think your picture is taken after mine as the starboard prop is off and attempts to remove expensive interior equipment must have taken place, hence the sand trail to the upper gun position:

[Larry Hickey]

Chris,

It looks like you've settled this, back to my original thought that this was 1H+KK! I already had the 2nd photo that you posted, but not the first in the EoE photo DB. Thanks for sharing that. Incidentally, you meant KG26 vice KG27 in your post. Now that we've settled the codes, we still need to ID the date/circumstances of the FL. We're obviously looking for a 2./KG26 incident, probably in Norway during the late-winter, spring, or early summer of 1940.

Any ideas?

Regards,