8/ZG26, 09.07.1940.

[srob48]

On 9th July 1940, 8/ZG26 lost one Bf110c and one damaged. The reports are:

8/ZG26.
Messerschmitt Bf110C ( ). Sortie to the south coast of England, shot down by RAF Hurricanes and crashed in the sea off Margate, Kent, 4.00pm. Fw. Hans Langbein (F) and Obgefr. Walter Franzke (Bf) both missing. Aircraft lost.

Messerschmitt Bf110 ( ). Sortie to England. Damaged by RAF fighter and returned to base. Pilot unhurt, 1 crewman (Bf) baled-out and missing. Aircraft 50% damaged.

Anyone know the identity of the Wireless Operator who baled-out?

Many thanks, Steve

[sidney]

No input for 9 July 1940. The closest match: 10/07/1940, Bf 110 C-2, 3U+GS, 8./ZG 26
Pilot: Ofw. Willi Meyer
Bordfunker: Gefr. Willi Rohde +

Source: Nigel Parker, Luftwaffe Crash Archive, Vol.1, page 64

[srob48]

Thanks for your reply Sidney.
On the 10th July 1940 III/ZG26 lost 3 Bf110C and 1 damaged:

III/ZG26.
Messerschmitt Bf110C ( ). Sortie to England, hit by RAF fighters and returned to base. Crew unhurt. Aircraft 50% damaged.

8/ZG26.
Messerschmitt Bf110C ( ). Escort sortie to England for KG2, shot down by RAF fighters and crashed in the Channel off Folkestone, Kent. Oblt. Siegfried Kuhrke (F) killed, Uffz. Heinz Brinkmann (Bf) missing. Aircraft lost.

Messerschmitt Bf110C ( ). Escort sortie to England for KG2, shot down by RAF fighters and crashed in the Channel off Folkestone, Kent. Oblt. Leo Siegmund (F) and Obgefr. Günther Linke (Bf) both missing. Aircraft lost.

Messerschmitt Bf110C ( ). Escort sortie to England for KG2, shot down by RAF fighters and crashed in the Channel 3 miles off Folkestone, Kent. Gefr. Willi Rohde (Bf) missing, Oberfw. Willi Meyer (F) captured. Aircraft 3U+GS lost.

Its the second Bf110C on the 9th July 1940 that I need the name for.

[sidney]

You are welcome. Perhaps the quoted reference just do not cover all the Luftwaffe aircraft crashed in the Channel.

[Chris Goss]

The book Zerstörer makes no mention of a second Bf 110 on 9 July 40 but does mention the loss of Brinkmann on 10 July 1940. Mason doesn't help with listing 4 aircraft on 9 July when Zerstörer states all but Langbein were lost on 10 July 40

[John Vasco]

srob48,
It might be useful if you quote your source(s) when you post such as you have done in your first post in this thread. If you do that, then the knowledgeable on here may be able to provide better replies for you.

[John Vasco]

Originally Posted by sidney

No input for 9 July 1940. The closest match: 10/07/1940, Bf 110 C-2, 3U+GS, 8./ZG 26
Pilot: Ofw. Willi Meyer
Bordfunker: Gefr. Willi Rohde +

Source: Nigel Parker, Luftwaffe Crash Archive, Vol.1, page 64

No, it isn't the closest match on 10th July. What you quote above is a 100% loss. There was a 50% damaged Bf 110 that returned to base on the same day...

[srob48]

To John and everyone else that mentions quoting sources.
All my information comes from the Luftwaffe Loss Records kept on microfilm at the Imperial War Museum in London. Wast in Berlin, and the VDK. All official sources. I do not tend to use books as most contain errors. If you wish me to repeat this message on every new thread I will, but it will get a bit boring.
Kind regards, Steve Roberts

[Chris Goss]

Steve.

There are now books out there (i.e Zerstörer, which John Vasco co-wrote, and Jochen Prien's series of books) which are as accurate as you are going to get and which are based on those sources you quote (plus more you don't quote)

[sidney]

Originally Posted by John Vasco

No, it isn't the closest match on 10th July. What you quote above is a 100% loss. There was a 50% damaged Bf 110 that returned to base on the same day...

Yes, you are perfectly right about that. I was referring to the complete loss, while the original query was related to the 50% damaged aircraft.