Need info on two Luft. pilots from II./KG30 that attacked the Lancastria on 17.06.40

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

Chris is right. Willi Erkens was an Uffz as of 27.4.40, not a Lt. as I indicated above. This reduces the names of known 5 Staffel pilots from this period to seven. Lt. Werner Baumbach, another well-known member of 5./KG30, was away on a special assignment during this period and is not included in this total.

Chris, I now believe that the 3./KG30 crew attacked and damaged the 20,000-ton "SS Oronsay" in an earlier attack on the Loire Estuary that day. Luftwaffe records make it virtually certain that the attack on the "Lancastria" was conducted by 14 Ju88As from II./KG30, including a/c from 5 Staffel. Several pilots from that attack wave claimed hits on or near the "Lancastria." Unfortunately, we don't know the names of the pilots making the bomb damage claims. It appears to me highly likely that certificates such as you published for Uffz Willi Erkens for his 27.4.40 ship attack were issued to each of those pilots claiming bomb damage on what turned out to be the "Lancastria." However, whether we ever find any of them is impossible to know at this point. Probably very unlikely.

Regards,