Who sunk Dutch trawler Protinus 19.03.1940

[Andrei Demjanko]

Originally Posted by Leendert

another trawler from IJmuiden (Erin, IJm. 12), reported a strafing by a multi-engine German aircraft on 17-4-1940 (16 hrs.) at 58.50 N and 2.20 E.

Position 58.50 N, 2.20 E is the area roughly between Peterhead and Stavanger, certainly a hot spot during the Norwegian campaign. Back to Protinus, area around 51 N is roughly the area between Thames Estuary, Scheldt Estuary and Pas-de-Calais. If the position mentioned is true, it's unusual area for Luftwaffe anti-shipping operations at the time, although there were few. And it also makes the possibility of the attack by Allied aircraft highly improbable, as any surface craft sailing in those waters in March 1940 was almost certainly Allied or Neutral. With any evidence lacking, that version with the mine is also worth consideration. So, at present, the case is beyond solution