Fw200 loss

[Andy Mitchell]

Alex,


Battle of Britian Then and Now (Mk IV) gives the following for F8+EH -
1/KG40 Fw200 Shot down by AA fire during mine laying sortie. Crashed into the sea between Hartlepool and Sunderland 11.55 pm (19 July 1940).Hptm Stesszyn, Fw Meier and Gefr Zaunig drowned. Fw Kulken and Fw Nicolai captured.

Mason's Battle over Britain gives broadly the same detail except records it as happening at 00.15 on 20 July and that the aircraft was from 2./KG40.

According to Mason 2./KG 40 did incur another loss that night, but not near Sunderland.
2./KG40 Fw200 Lost off N Ireland Two killed, Hptm Zenke+2others POW.

Mason has the following to say regarding both of these losses:-

"Although both these losses were reported in 6th Abteilung returns, the loss of the Fw 200 of Hptm Stesszyn was recorded on 22nd July as having occurred on 13th July. The other, commanded by Hptm Zenke, was stated in the German returndated 28th July to have occurred on the 23rd. All crew interrogation records relating to the survivors from these aircraft, together with the Observer Corps and coastguard records (of the Sunderland area) confirm beyond any doubt that both losses occurred during the night of 19th/20th."

With regard to the second aircraft I have also found reference in BoBTaN indicating that it was lost on July 24th, detail as follows:-

1./KG40 Fw 200 - Forced to ditch into the sea 15 miles NE of Belfast due to petrol failure while on armed reconnaissance mission. Hptm Zenker, Uffz Oeker, Gefr Hohmann rescues and POW. Fw Andreas and Uffz Wagner both drowned. F8+BH lost.

Hope that this helps.