Luftwaffe rescue buoys

[Bruce Dennis]

Originally Posted by Dennis Peschier

The first buoy was delivered in autumn 1940 but by autumn 1941 they were scrapped at Cherbourg.

I can confirm that there was a bouy in use off Berck, just up the coast from Cherbourg, in October 1942.

Who was responsible for the German bouys?


Bruce

[Seaplanes]

On 24. September 1940 the Generalstab Gen.Qu. 2.Abteilung, ordered the formation of three Seenotbojenkommandos with immediate effect. Seenotbojenkommando A in Cherbourg, the B-Kommando in Boulogne and the C-Kommando in Calais. The strength for each Kommando was 1 officer, 1 Feldwebel, 1 Unteroffizier and 10 enlisted men. The formation was to take place in Seefl.H.Kdtr. Wilhelmshaven for the A and B Kommandos, and in Fl.H.Kdtr. Stettin for the C Kommando. After completion of their formations, each Kommando was to transfer immediately to their respective locations in France. The A Kommando was then subordinated to Seenotzentrale (Luft) Cherbourg, the B and C Kommandos to the Seenotzentrale (Luft) Boulogne. The commanding officers were Major von Bredow for the A Kommando, Major Bruhn for the B Kommando, while the officer for the C Kommando was to be appointed later. To place the Seenotbojen in their locations at sea, two ships were reqired, the "Wik" from the Kriegsmarine and "Krischan" from the Luftwaffe.

On 5. May 1941 He 60D (W.Nr. 1515, St.kz. SD+WP) was shot down by a Spitfire while carrying out inspections of the Seenotbojen in the Seine estuary. The plane, belonging to 2. Staffel/Seenotgruppe Cherbourg, was a total loss. The pilot, Obfw. Paul Stockinger, was killed, while the observer, Oblt.z.See Hans Hilbirg, was injured.

[mathieu]

Hei to all,

Last week, after a sever storm the remains of a rescue bouy reemerged at the beach of Terschelling, Netherlands. This bouy stranded the 17th of November 1940. It was never salvaged but much steel was removed during the fifties.
Attached a photo of the remains. The quality is not to good, you can also see some of the adds at the other side of the page.

Regards,

Mathieu.

[Graham Boak]

I believe there is one on display at the Scottish Shipbuilding Museum at Irving. If that is not what I am remembering, please put my memories right!

[Franek Grabowski]

Crossing fingers it will be preserved this time!
BTW
You can avoid effect of translucency by putting a sheet of black paper behind the scanned picture.