Squadron of He 59 used to transport troops (taking a bridge along the Maas River)

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Good night to all.
I came across this information casually on a Portuguese written booklet about WW2. I do not know even if this operation took place, but I would like to confirm IF a Squadron of Heinkel He 59 transported German troops ( 120 men it is said ) during the Western Offensive ( 1940 ) to take a bridge on the River Maas.
I would like to know, if possible, and if someone can confirm:
1-Squadron involved
2-Number of He 59 involved
3-If there were losses or accidents
4-Any photograph available?
5-Any decoration awarded for this particular mission?

Many thanks in advance for any news about this particular mission.

Yours very friendly

Adriano

[Chris Goss]

Quite well known. 12 ac from Sonderstaffel Schwilden carrying 150 men of the 11 Komp. Inf.Regt 16. There is a photo showing 2 He 59s that taxied into eachother I believe. Date was 10 May 40

[Chris Goss]

According to Peter Cornwell, 4 He 59s were wrecked and Hptm Horst Schwilden never received any major award and ended the war still as a Hptm!

[RT]

> 1995
> 2593
> 1830
> 2599

The Wn of the 4 He59 lost, seems difficult to land in some narrow canal,
Hptm Wilden self hv been killed, the planes were owned by Kgrzbv.108/Kdo Wilden

rémi

[Chris Goss]

It was Kdo Schwilden not Wilden and according to Luftwaffe records, Schwilden was still alive in Jan 45?

[Andy Mitchell]

Please see Adam Thomson's article here

[RT]

My mistake the Wilden was just under those planes in my list, I exageratly
"consolided"
It seems that Adam, has to put all the info available in his article

Remi

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Chris, RT and Andy;
I do thank you for your kind and valuable help on this thread. There is a lot of information that I will have to digest slowly. I already started to research about the Infantry and Pioneer Divisions mentioned. I do thank both of you for sharing your vast knowledge with me.
It seems interesting that such a fantastic operation was given so few comments on books. I do not know if they landed by day or moonlight yet, but it seems to have been an incredible feat of airmanship.
I remain yours,
Adriano
PS: Please excuse me being so late to answer, I am away from home and access to computers and internet are not always easy.

[christian]

Hi

Hptm. Horst Schwilden Sta.Ka. 3./KG 26 was missing on the 25.06.1940.

Greetings Christian

[ju55dk]

Originally Posted by christian

Hi

Hptm. Horst Schwilden Sta.Ka. 3./KG 26 was missing on the 25.06.1940.

Greetings Christian

Something does not add up here. It is correct that he was reported missing from a Feindflug to Glasgow on 25.06.40. But he is still present in the Luftwaffenrangliste from 1945! At the end there is a listing of missing officers but Schwilden is not among them???????

Junker