Attacks On Shipping December 1940

[Doug Stankey]

The main limitation of our book was that we do not have comprehensive coverage. While it is possible that we missed some information from some source, we had used multiple sources to try to eliminate or at least minimize errors. Fundamentally, we had tapped every accessible source, but this still left us with some gaps.

I looked at our notes on I./KG 28 which in fact used He 111s for mine laying in the Irish Sea and St. George's Channel at about this period, but these missions were flown at night and they would in any case be unlikely to directly attack ships with mines! For He 111s or Ju 88s to a attack ships in this region would mean a long flight around British air space or to take a chance crossing it in daylight, and these possibilities seem unlikely. Condors of I./KG 40 does seem to be the most likely possibility.

[Chris Goss]

Doug: I should have noticed you were the co-author! I did some research on maritime ops in my book Sea Eagles (I am surprised that Classic did not point you in their direction). In respect of KGr 126/I/KG 28, one Staffel (1/KGr126) was engaged in mining ops but then in Nov, began experimental torpedo ops from nantes-their first loss being 9 Nov to a 236 Sqn Blenheim. However, I will delve deeper as to these dates

[Chris Goss]

....and I/KG 40 it is.

On 18 Dec 40, a Condor (not He 111) took off at 0602 hrs and at 1020 hrs (0920 hrs UK time) in PlQ 15W/6454 (east of Dublin) attacked a 3500T ship with a SC 250, hitting the ship and the crew then jumped. At 1100 hrs, a little further north, they reported attacking the Cambria (which fired back with MG fire).

The following day, a Condor took off at 0506 hrs and at 1145 hrs in PlQ 15 W/7224 (50 km south of Carnsore Point) attacked a 1200 ton ship (which they acknowledge was from the "Leighthouse Service") with 4 x SC250s hitting and sinking it. They then flew north to the Solway Firth, then back south passing 30 kms east of Dublin.

Not a torpedo attack and not a He 111!

[Mark McShane]

That's exceleent Chris, thanks for this.

Regards,

Mark