F/O A.J.O. Jeffrey 2 He115s 19 July 1940

[Col Bruggy]

Hello,

Gerhard Huemmelchen, in his "Die Duetschen Seeflieger 1935-1945 (p.166), mentions the loss on 19th July, 1940, of a 3./906 He 115 due to enemy action (Feindeinwirkung). As does the late Francis Mason, in his 2nd edition of Battle Over Britain (pp.139-140):

A Heinkel He 115, apparently attempting to sow mines in the Thames Estuary in broad daylight, was shot down by a Spitfire flown by Fg Off Alastair Jeffrey of No.64 squadron.

LUFTWAFFE LOSSES - FRIDAY 19th July 1940.

6. 3/906 CM Shot down by Spitfire of Jeffrey of 64 Sqn over Thames Estuary at approx. 1600 hrs.
Heinkel He 115 100% Three crew missing.

Col.

[Frank Olynyk]

The claim for two He-115s appears in the Fighter Command Combats and Casualties list for July 19, as Confirmed. The combat report is in Air 50/24-78&79.

It is mentioned in Jack Foreman's RAF Fighter Command Claims 1939-1940.

Enjoy!

Frank.

[Laurent Rizzotti]

This is a translated extract from the book "Les Hydravions de la Luftwaffe, volume 2", by Jean-Louis Roba and Hans-Werner Neulen (ISBN 978-2-914017-55-8), page 333:

"On 19 July 1940 a formation of nine Spitfires of 64 Sqn flying an offensive patrol intercepted a group of He 115s laying mines under escort by Bf 109s. Two floatplanes were claimed shot down, but only one of 3./106 was actually shot down."

Note that the unit here is given as 3./106, not 3./906, but I don't know which source is correct.