Red-Cross marked He59s July 1940

[Brian Bines]

Brian,

Mason page 226 describes the shooting down on 11-8-40 of two He 59's of Seenotzentrale Cherbourg by the RAF. The first fell to two Blenheims of 604 Sqd. escorted by Spitfires of 152 Sqd. themslves on an ASR mission, the Heinkel being white with Red crosses. Later for the loss of two Spitfire pilots a second Heinkel was shot down by 610 Sqd. Luftwaffe QM's returns show the loss of these two Heinkels but do not indicate any crew losses.
Apparantly Hpt. Wiggers of I/JG 51 claimed one of the Blenheims as shot down but I could not find a loss for 604 sqd. this day,

Regards

Brian Bines

[Brian]

Hi Brian

Good to hear from you. Trust you are well.

The 'Blenheim' claimed by Hptm Wiggers may have been an Anson of 217 Squadron. Perhaps someone will confirm etc.

The He59 shot down by 604 Squadron Blenheims - what was its registration markings?

Regarding the He59 shot down by 610 Squadron - I have no details. Are you able to provide names of the Spitfire pilots etc?

A fascinating subject. Thanks for all the responses.

Cheers
Brian

[Brian Bines]

Brian,

The He 59 that fell to 610 Sqd. was claimed by F/L Edward Smith (according to Mason in the text for 11th Aug. but not shown in the pilot victory list ) who next day was shot down off Dover and baled out into the Channel. He was picked up by an MTB, lucky he did not need the services of the Seenotdienst. Unfortunately at this stage the Luft. QM's returns are very light on aircraft details just giving the type, in this case no mark, code or werk-nummer for the He59,

Regards

Brian Bines

[Chris Goss]

D-AFFK fell to a Hudson of 206 Sqn if my memory serves me right-if someone has access to my book they can confirm this

[Seaplanes]

I can add the following details:
23.07.1940 He 59N W.Nr. 838 D-AKAR of Seenotflugkdo. 4.
100%. Missing, probably shot down, while on ASR-sortie from Cherbourg.
Fw. Degel, Fw. Luppe, Gefr. Rosenthal and H.Gefr. Filz all reported missing.

28.07.1940 He 59N W.Nr. 1851 D-ASUC of Seenotflugkdo. 3.
100%. Shot down by enemy fighters during an ASR-sortie in the English Channel in pos. 51 degrees 12 mins. north and 10 degrees 40 mins east.
Oblt. Erich Chudziak, Uffz. Ernst Melzer, Uffz. Josef Baumüller and Gefr. Willi Paddags all missing. Uffz. Josef Buess rescued.

28.07.1940 He 59N W.Nr. 1989 D-AROO of Seenotflugkdo. 3.
100%. Shot down by enemy fighters while on an ASR-sortie.
Fw. Niwiadowski (F), Lt.d.R. Helmut Sandgaard (B) and Gefr. Feugel (Bf) all wounded. Gefr. Berg (Bm) and Obgefr. Nüchter both missing.

15.08.1940 He 59E W.Nr. 2606 D-AFFK of Seenotflugkdo. 4.
100% in Pl.Qu. 6997. Forced landing due to fire from a Lockheed Hudson.
Lt.z.See Siegfried Bömer (B) killed. Remaining crew injured.

[gogh]

Hi Seaplanes

I have in the LEMB stkz list D-AROO as W.Nr.1889.

Regards

Peter van Gogh

[Seaplanes]

According to my list the 18-- series of He 59D and E aircraft built by Arado, end with W.Nr. 1858. The next series begin with W.Nr. 19--.

[Chris Goss]

In respect of D-AFFK, no other crew were injured apart from the BO who was killed; no injuries to the III/KG 26 crew they had picked up earlier, albeit they were slightly unders the influence of alcohol when the Hudson attacked!

[Brian Bines]

Seaplanes,

I have a query on the SeenotKdo.4 loss w.n. 838, this has been previously published as being lost on 20th July. The entry in the Luftaffe QM's Returns dated 5th August does state 4 crew missing on the 20th July, however there is and admentment note pencilled in for the 25th. Oct. On looking this up it shows '' Ziffer no18 v. 5-8-40 (Seenotflugkdo 4 v. 20-7 ) . Streiche ganz da identisch mit Ziffer 4 v. 24-7 Streiche 4 Vermisste, 1 He59 total '' does this mean the loss date was 24th July or is your date of the 23rd July correct ? I know your information has always been spot on before and the QM's list has frequent errors, also would you have the details of the Seenotflugkdo1 He 59 claimed by 601 Sqd. off Selsey Bill on the 20th July,

Thanks

Brian Bines

[Brian]

Many thanks guys - what a brilliant response.

Chris: Which III/KG26 crew was aboard D-AFFK when it was attacked? I note several fell on 15 August. I assume they and the survivors of the He59 were rescued by German craft? Any ideas on the Hudson involved?

Cheers
Brian