Loss of Heinkel He 111s on 27 May 1941

[Chris Goss]

This was quite a busy period for the Luftwaffe thanks to the Bismarck. Barth's account (in German) can be found in the KG 55 history by Wolfgang Dierich. The Gruppen Kommandeur's analysis of II/KG 55's anti-shipping ops during this moonlit period is also in the book. I have a copy of the Luftlotte 3 report timed 1315 hrs on 28 May 41 which details the attack, the salient points being:

3 He 111s attacked between 2223-2245 hrs on a freighter headed south dropping 2 x PC 1000 and 4 x SC 250 bombs, hitting the ship and sinking it

2 He 111s attacked a freighter at 2310 hrs in Bude Bay with 1 x PC 1000 and 4 x SC 250 hitting it and setting it on fire

1 He 111 attacked a ship off Penzance with 1 x PC 1000 and 4 x SC 250 bombs no results seen.

One He 111 missing; one ditched crew rescued