Stuka Attacks on Portland, July 11, 1940

[Peter Cook]

Thanks for the LG1 information Chris. If it is not too much trouble I wonder if you could let me know what your sources are for the Geschwader takeoff times in your first reply?

Thanks for your reply Nick, I am pretty sure that the SOS off Start Point relates to a series of actions on that day involving Coastal Command aircraft. An Anson brought down an He59, which was disabled on the sea and is presumed to have sent out an SOS. Two destroyers were sent out to recover the aircraft and crew, escorted by 236 Squadron Blenheims. Two Ju 88s appeared on the scene at different times and both were believed to have been shot down. Larry Donnelly gives a detailed account of this action in The Other Few.

[Chris Goss]

Luftflotte 3 Einzelmeldung-all times German

[Andy Mitchell]

Not sure if this is any help but.....

According to the "Durch Luftangriff versenkte oder beschädigte Handelschiffe in der Zeit vom 1.7-31.7.40" Anlage 5 zum Lagebericht Nr 335.
the following claims on shipping in the vicinity of Portland were made on 11.7.40:-

I and III./St.G. 1 Handelschiff 3,000t versenkte(sunk) südostw. Portland
I and III./St.G. 2 Handelschiff 1,000t versenkte(sunk) südostw. Portland
I and III./St.G. 2 Handelschiff 2,500t beschädigt(damaged) südostw. Portland
II./St.G 2 Tanker 15,000t versenkte(sunk) südostw. Portland )against these
II./St.G 2 Transp. 10,000t versenkte(sunk) südostw. Portland)two 18 SC250 are recorded. Additionally, in the remarks column these two are marked "gesunken" (declined?)

All of the above units are marked, on the document, as operating under Luftflotte 3.

There is no mention of LG1 with shipping claims for 11.7.40 except for II./LG 1 (Luftflotte 3) with a claim for a 10,000t Tanker damaged in Falmouth Harbour (remarks indicate that the tanker was burning).

Further down the document IV.(St)/LG1 (operating under Luftflotte 2) claimed damage to shipping (including a destroyer) "südl. Dover" on 14.7.40.
On the same day (14th) V./LG 1 (operating under Luftflotte 3) claimed damage to a 3,000t ship 10 km "südüstl." Portland.
On 15.7.40 II./LG 1 (Luftflotte 3) claimed a 10,000t freighter sunk in Portland harbour for the expenditure of 4 SC 250.