He 59 21 April 1942 starboard float shot away

[marilynliddell]

On 21st April 1942 between 16.47 and 17.38 hours a He 59 clashed with a Beaufighter of 236 Squadron whilst searching for a dinghy believed to be from a Wellington lost the previous evening.

The Beau pilot shot away the starboard float could anyone tell me which unit it came from or its crew ?

He 59 fired of two star shells [from RAF Navs Logbook] and they were promptly set upon by two Me 110s which came out of the sun.

Any help appreciated thank you for your time and consideration.

[Chris Goss]

The time of the combat was 1741 hrs off Vlieland. The Beaufighter was coded B and just claimed a damaged before it spotted a Bf 110 and a Bf 109 and then headed for home. No He 59 or any other seaplane unit reported major damage due to combat on this date. If it indeed was an He 59, the unit could well have been 2 Seenotstaffel

[Nick Beale]

I've not seen this particular National Archives file but, judging by other in the series, it may help:

HW 13/31: German Naval Air Activity (GNA) 1942 Apr 1–1942 June 30

These files include information from German radio traffic including sea-resuce aircraft and boats, so if the Heinkel put out a distress call, you may be in luck.