Still seeking ID info for photos of Ditching & Rescue of 1 or 3./ZG26 U8+GH or GL in the Channel during 8.40

[Larry Hickey]

Brian,

A loss during the last week of September is ruled out by the publication date of 1 October for the Dutch issue of "Signaal" that was my photo source, give production lead times. I completely concur with John Vasco's statement about the thin white rear fuselage band only being used on I./ZG26 aircraft during the Battle of Britain (but not the Western Campaign). This does not appear at any time on any photo that I know of for II or III./ZG26. Also, the absence of white nose markings, known to be carried by I./ZG26 aircraft from the first week or so of September onward, confines this incident to about Sept. 4th at the latest, and probably more likely sometime in August, 1940. So, that still leaves this certain Bf110 loss as unidentified. It seems unlikely that a ditched and unrecoverable Bf110 would have been left off the QM loss reports, even though the crew clearly survived. But I see no likely candidates among what we currently know about I./ZG26's plane losses during August to very early Sept. during the Battle of Britain.

Unfortunately, the unit diary (KTB) for I./ZG26 did not survive the war, so we aren't gong to get an answer there, and we haven't been able to find a KTB for the German air sea rescue service operating in the Pas de Calais area, which might also have provided an answer. If someone knows something different than that about either of these possible sources, I'd sure like to hear from them.

Both John Vasco and Peter Cornwell are similarly at a loss to explain this one. What are we missing here?

Regards,

[Brian Bines]

Larry,

Last go for me, the QMs returns dated 2-9-40 has that on 30-8-40 I/ZG26 lost a Bf110C-4 in Air Battle with Fighters 100%, with location Kanal. No crew are shown as lost or injured and the code appears to be U8+CX w.n. 3582, in John and Peters book it is noted the X is incorrect and it is shown as lost on return. As the location is shown as Kanal 100% I wonder if this could be your missing aircraft, unless John or Peter has further info. confirming its loss on return. I could not see anything else that might fit, Hpt Kaminski and Bf I/ZG26 ditched on 18th.Aug were picked up after 4 days by a vessel (German Minesweeper in one book)
Hope you finally get to the bottom of this one,

Regards

Brian Bines