He115 claimed by Blenheims 3 August 1940

[Tim O.]

Hi Larry

I assume it was M2+FH referenced in the story but I have all Gaul's Flugbuchs and there is no record of him flying FH, although he was in plenty of others. He was also an Observer rather than a Pilot when he was in the He115 units. He qualified later as a military pilot and flew the Fw200 but up until then his Flugbuch suggests he only flew when not on active service inside Germany and France. Some poetic licence perhaps?

I have another great story from the collection where Gaul and his crew landed their He115 on the sea and picked up 5 Allied survivors from a crash in the Bay of Biscay. That definitely happened as I have the letters from two of those he rescued.

Best wishes
Tim O.

[Chris Goss]

I have a number of similar war reporter submissions and as Tim says, to rely on them would be unwise. For example the bombing of Driffield on 15 Aug 40-if you believed what was written Driffield would be a wasteland. In this case, no date, no accurate location, incorrect crews (unless he meant Gaul as the Aircraft Commander) and incorrect aircraft code

[Tim O.]

Originally Posted by Chris Goss

I have a number of similar war reporter submissions and as Tim says, to rely on them would be unwise. For example the bombing of Driffield on 15 Aug 40-if you believed what was written Driffield would be a wasteland. In this case, no date, no accurate location, incorrect crews (unless he meant Gaul as the Aircraft Commander) and incorrect aircraft code

I completely agree with Chris but I think the spirit of many missions is captured in the story even if it is manufactured and I rather like it.

Best wishes
Tim O.