Bv 138 loss 23 May 1944

[Seaplanes]

According to my source (KTB Gen.d.Lw.b.Ob.d.M./O.Qu. for 27.May 1944), the aircraft was on a routine training flight south of Bornholm, when the starboard engine caught fire in 500 meters altitude. A forced landing was carried out, but due to wind and heavy seas, the plane was thrown up in the air and crashed on impact with the water after some 60 meters in the air. Three crewmembers were rescued by a nearby German submarine, Hptm. Kopp and Fw. Benders both dead and Obfhr. Hans Hagelstein unhurt. There is no mention of involvement of enemy aircraft.
This particular aircraft started service as K6+AL of 3./406 and was passed on to 1./Fl.Erg.Gr. (See) in Copenhagen on 31.05.1943 and became 6H+LH.
Some sources give the date of death of Hptm. Joachim Kopp as 23.06.1944.

[Knut Larsson]

Hi Seaplane

Thank you very much for this informations. I think it provre what happen to this flying boat out probably from Kopenhagen See.
Looking always forward to learn more about what happen to all the German seaplanes during the war.

Greetings

Knut

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Thanks seaplanes

[Rainer]

It was U-873 (Kptlt Friedrich Steinhoff) that picked up one survivor and two bodies from a crashed Bv 138 in naval grid AO8432 (approx. 55°27N, 16°45E) at 10.55 hrs on 23 May 1944 and landed them at Pillau in the evening.

[RT]

You hv a message Knut !

Rémi

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Thanks Rainer for this added data.