KGr100 losses 27.4.40

[Peter Cornwell]

2./KGr.100 Heinkel He111H-1. Both engines damaged in attacks by Skuas of No. 801 (FAA) Squadron (Lt R.C. Hay and PO C.H. Kimber) during armed reconnaissance to Dombås and ditched in Storfjord, south of Alesund, 5.40 p.m. FF Uffz Kurt Rippka, BO Uffz Heinz Thieme, BF Gefr Gerhardt Hunger, and BM Uffz Joachim Förster all unhurt and took to dinghy. Aircraft 6N+LK 100% write-off.
After five hours this crew reached Storholm lighthouse where they remained for four days until their capture by Norwegian troops. They were transported from Alesund to Narvik and later shipped to England.

2./KGr.100 Heinkel He111H-1. Badly damaged in attacks over Storfjord, south of Alesund, by Skuas of No. 800 (FAA) Squadron (Lt G.E.D. Finch-Noyes, PO H.A. Monk, and Mdsm L.H. Gallagher) during armed reconnaissance to Dombås. Retired south and forced-landed near Høyanger, north of Sognefjord, 6.00 p.m. FF Oberfw Hans Hensel, BO Stabsfw Richard Härtel, and BF Uffz Otto Böhne all captured unhurt, BM Fw Ernst Hansen captured badly wounded – leg amputated. Crew all later released May 4. Aircraft 6N+EK fired by crew 100% write-off.