Me. 110 damaged in operation Weserübung (The attack on Vaerloese airfield, Denmark)

[Andreas Brekken]

Hi, Junker.

Long time.

I can assure you that if you share information with Larry Hickey and the people of the EOE project it will be treated with the discretion it deserves, and ultimately be included in a project which would be of great interest and value to us both in the future.

Pls contact me offboard if you need further information - I would assume you have already read the sticky post regarding the project.

Regards,
Andreas B

[Larry Hickey]

Orla & Junker,

Based on the info above, we've added a "ghost" entry to the EOE Luftwaffe loss DB which needs further research. It seems possible that these are duplicate entries that actually refer to the same a/c and crew. I ask your help in making sure that we get this, and the Falck entry as accurate as possible. Further research on the Vaerlöse attacks is another issue which I'll explore with you, Junker, by PM.

"April 9, 1940:

1./ZG1 Messerschmitt Bf110C. Forced-landed at Skejby, north of Aarhus,
en-route to Aalborg with one engine damaged by AA fire during attack on
Vaerlöse airfield 5.45 a.m. Crew both believed unhurt. Aircraft 2N+HH under
10% damaged - repairable. (TOCH 1/11)
This aircraft later flew on to Aalborg following field repair.
(Potential duplication for below ?)

1./ZG1 Messerschmitt Bf110C. Returned damaged by AA fire during strafing
attack on Vaerlöse airfield 5.45 a.m. BF Uffz Arthur Schön wounded, pilot
unhurt. Aircraft 10% damaged - repairable."

Regards,

[Orla Kragh Jensen]

Hi Larry, Andreas and Junker.

Thanks for the enlightment, having been looking at the EOE sticky one and your replies, I realize that a day of only 24 hours simply is not enough for all needed to be researched, checked, double checked and published etc. etc.

For myselves, I have narroved it down to researching the Danish Army Airforce, aeroplanes and actions from around 1930 onwards to the last date it is possible to find records regarding the Danish build and operated aircraft, and as important, their fate.

My first attemt was a small (90 pages) book about the IV Recce. Type Fokker G.1, supposed to have been build and flown with the Danish Army Airforce.

My second book as about the III Fighter Type Fokker D.XXI in Danish service, and whereever the remaining 11 of them went in late 1943. As part of the book, I'm trying to clerify facts about the attack on Vaerloese Airfield as all i have read and researched states everything from 9 to more than 20 Bf. 110 attacking with Do. 17 hanging high above with bomb loads to deliver and He. 111 hanging over Copenhagen, just in case the "peasefull" annexation of Denmark should fail.

As a lot of things happened in Denmark around April 1st., the defence seemed to have been completely and liberately "confused" making it so much more interesting and nessasary to have all available (and very well documented) facts presented as valuable information.

That's why I find that the attack on Vaerloese Airfield is important to document, seen both from the ground as from the air. There is absolutely no aim intended pointing fingers at anyone, just to disclose the facts as well documented as can be.


Regards

Orla Kragh Jensen

[Orla Kragh Jensen]

Hi Larry.

Yes, it could be, but it seems to conflict a bit with Falck's information, as he might have mentioned that one of his crew was hurt, also he's talking about a replacement engine, not field repair. A bit confusing ?

Turning toward the northwest, I head for Aalborg where my unit should be waiting. On the way, I see one of my Bf 110’s that has force-landed in a meadow. Banking around, I can see the pilot standing on the wing surrounded by a mob of Danish soldiers. “A bad situation! What do I do?” I decided to take a chance and land, as I taxi over to the downed aircraft, there is no overt hostility from the Danish troops. The pilot explains that he was hit by ground fire and had been treated very well by the Danes who were under the command of a young captain to whom he introduces me. The pilot has already been in touch with Aalborg, which was in our hands after a paratroop drop of only a platoon. Aalborg was already sending a replacement engine. I thanked the Danish captain for the treatment of my pilot, got back in my aircraft and continued on to Aalborg.

Regards

Orla

[Larry Hickey]

Orla,

In what language was your 90-page book on the Danish AF published? I sounds like your research could provide some very important help to us in getting the Danish part of the story accurately told, although, as you say, it is a very brief period in the overall story of the air war 1939-40. However, the EOE Working Group must rely on experts such as yourself and Junker to help us get this right and comprehensively told.

Regards,

[Orla Kragh Jensen]

Hi Larry, unfortunately in Danish as it was my first try in this decipline. The D.XXI book will at least have English descriptions for the pictures and a planned English "short" coverage as well.

Most interesting ofcause is what happened to the 11 remaining D.XXI fighters repaired and updated after the attack just to be stored away for some tree years then to be sieced by the German occupation troops and, until now, not to be seen again, only small records from 1944 seems to be disclosed.

Orla

[Larry Hickey]

Orla,

Obviously, the Danish Air Force falls within the purview of the EOE project (1939-40), including the evolution pre-war of the air forces involved. Can you advise me of what sources, preferably in English, I should have in my library to ensure that Denmark gets its proper and accurate coverage in our EOE Vol II? If there are not reliable and comprehensive sources available in English, what fall back books in Danish should we acquire and get translated?

Regards,

[ju55dk]

Just a few notes on the Vaerlöse attack. Only Stab I and 1/ZG 1 attacked the airfield. It's stated clearly in the Einsatzbefehl for I/ZG 1 for Weserübung. There were no bomber attached to attack Vaerlöse. However one Gruppe of KG 4 were indeed over Kopenhagen, all He 111 with 1/2 a bombload. The other half carried leaflets.

Junker

[Larry Hickey]

Junkers,

Thanks for the clarification on that. As soon as I get a chance to PM you, I'd like to discuss how you can perhaps get involved with our project. Vaerlöse was just one of probably hundreds of AF attacks we have to deal with in the course of the EOE Project, but with your 20-years of research and study of the story, you are probably the best person in the world to make sure that this gets covered accurately. With the EOE Project, we always go to the best resource that we can find to help with our project.

Regards,

[Evgeny Velichko]

Gents:

While with 2./ZG76, Falck flew M8+GK, as "G" was his personnal and "lucky" digit. AS far as I remember, Falck used "G" with Stab I./ZG1, and his code was 2N+GB. Photos of his Bf110 during Battle of France confirm it.