Lufttorpedostaffel ?/1KG26 shipping claims

[BIG TYKE]

I am researching the Allied convoy PQ15 to Murmansk between 10 APr 1942 and 5 May 1942. In particular I would like to track down records or accounts from the luftwaffe unit that attacked this convoy on 2 May and ultimately discover the pilot and crew of the plane that sunk the CAPE CORSO. It is believed from my searches that the aircraft were Heinkel He 111 H-6 torpedo bombers of 1/KG26. 3 Merchant vessels were sunk during this convoy CAPE CORSO, BOTOVAN both by aircraft according to sources & JUTLAND by U251. A 4th ship was mined in port.

My main interest is the sinking of CAPE CORSO as a relative was killed on board. So any help or pointers in the right direction in finding this info would be gratefully recieved.

[Chris Goss]

The attack was led by Hptm Bert Eicke, acting Gr Kdr of I/KG 26, St Kap of 3/KG 26. 6 aircraft were involved in the action that sank the Botavon and Cape Corso AM 3 May 42. Apparently the latter exploded, damaging the Jutland which was later sunk by U-boats. 2 He 111s were claimed shot down, 1 damaged. St Kap of 2/KG 26, Oblt Kurt Sauer, was lost in this attack

[BIG TYKE]

Many thanks for the extra info Chris. The CAPE CORSO did infact explode, it was carrying munitions and from an eyewitness account, it sank within minutes of being hit.

i have come across the name Hptm Bert Eicke during my search but not the other name. this may give me something to check for possible leads.

Many thanks again

[Chris Goss]

All I know is Sauer was the St Kap of 2/KG 26 and was awarded DKiG posthumously. I will check tonight if I have time as to the details of the I/KG 26 losses this day

[Chris Goss]

German records state He 111 H-6, Wk Nr 4950 was shot down by Flak in Quadrant 9481/17; Uffz Paul Rofalsk-pilot, Oblt Kurt Sauer-observer & St Kap, Uffz Karl Wagner-WOp & Uffz Gustav von Rambow-gunner missing

[Rune Rautio]

Hello,

I have two German aerial photos of "Cape Corso" being hit and sinking. I received them some years ago from a veteran of I./KG 30. If you do not have such photos, I can send you scanns as you have a family interest in this case.

Rune

[BIG TYKE]

Originally Posted by Rune Rautio

I have two German aerial photos of "Cape Corso" being hit and sinking. I received them some years ago from a veteran of I./KG 30. If you do not have such photos, I can send you scanns as you have a family interest in this case.

Dear Rune

I would be very grateful for scanned copies of the photo,s you have. These photo,s would certainly make my research for the family more interesting.
Do you have any knowledge of the LUFTWAFFE units in Norway during 1942? I have tried to gather info on which unit actually attacked and sank Cape Corso.
Many, Many thanks. Nick

[Rune Rautio]

Hello Nick,

I do have some knowlede about ythe German anti-convoy operations in the Barents Sea, and I notice that the sinking of Cape Corso in this forum has been dated to 3 May 1942, which matches with the loss of the He 111 of Staffelkapitän Oblt Sauer of 2./KG 26.

But the sources I have examined put the date to 2 May 1942, during an air raid where there were no German losses. A friend of mine, prof. Michael Suprun of the University of Archangel, Russia, has made comprehensive archive studies of the Lend-Lease programme and the Arctic convoys, and he writes that the attack on 2 May 1942 resulted in sinking of the "Botavon" and "Cape Corso", and crippeled "Jutland" so badly that she afterwards was finished by the German U-boat "U-251".

The air attack was, according to him, conducted by 12 He 111H-6 of 3./KG 26, commanded by Hptm Bert Eicke.

Best regards Rune

PS! Send me your e-mail, allowing me to send you the pics.

[BIG TYKE]

I have been looking at this thread again and searching for new information to clarify who was actually lost in the attack on the Cape Corso.

From a Russian source who was on board the "Krasin" ice breaker he says that two torpedos hit the Corso.

He 111 H-6, Wk Nr 4950
Crew:

Uffz. Paul Hofalski (F) MIA
Oblt. Kurt Jauer (B) MIA
Uffz. Karl Wagner (Bf) MIA
Uffz. Gustav von Rambow (Bs) MIA

was shot down on the attack on "Botovan" but I cannot find any other losses for Lftwaffe a/c on this day.

My new question then would be : Is there any way of identifying which crews were involved on the attacks of 2/3 May 1942 on PQ15?
Did the Luftwaffe have the equivalent of the RAF ORB?
These would suggest the pilot who believed he had sunk the Cape Corso.

[Chris Goss]

If you look at my earlier post, these names match albeit with slight errors. There would have been War Diaries for these units but I am afraid they do not exist any longer