He111P-2, 5J+NL of 3/KG4, WNr 1623, 1 April 1941?

[Steve Brew]

On 1 April 1941, 41 Squadron attacked and damaged (at least one engine on fire) a He111 over Leeming, but it was lost in cloud and not seen again.

In my notes, I have that this was possibly He111P-2, 5J+NL of 3/KG4, WNr 1623, which crash-landed at Soesterberg in the Netherlands on return with 35% damage.

Could someone confirm if this is indeed the case, and if not which aircraft it may have been.

Were there any casualties amongst the crew?

Thanks
Steve

[Jaap Woortman]

1-4-41 Genst.Gen.Qu.6.Abt.(1C) Nr.1460/41 g.Kdos. H.Qu., den 3.April 1941.
Luftflotte 2. 5. 1.4. 5./K.G.4, F, Soesterberg, Bruchlandung nach Luftkampf, He 111 P2, Wnr.1623, 35%. Er.
Fw. Rahrig, Wilhm Bm. verletzt.

Jaap

[Steve Brew]

Hi Jaap

Thank you very much for that information.

In "Luftflotte 2. 5. 1.4.", I understand Luftflotte 2 and 1 April, but what is the 5, please?

Also, should I understand that "Bm." is Bordmechaniker"? i.e. the WOp/Gunner?

Thanks
Steve

[Chris Goss]

BM=Flight Engineer

[bill norman]

5th Staffel./KG4

[bill norman]

Ah, sorry - the wrong 5!!

[bill norman]

Steve - perhaps to add a little more confusion..Do you have the time of the 41 Sqdn encounter? The War Diary of No.43 AA Brigade records that at 15.15hrs on 1 April 1941, a lone He.111 was engaged over Leeming by 40mm AA fire from defenders at RAF Leeming and was hit in a wing. Seemingly, the machine was also engaged by by the Tees' HAA guns and 'Z' guns as it crossed out over the coast. It seems that it got away.

Bill

[Jaap Woortman]

Originally Posted by Steve Brew

Hi Jaap

Thank you very much for that information.

In "Luftflotte 2. 5. 1.4.", I understand Luftflotte 2 and 1 April, but what is the 5, please?

Also, should I understand that "Bm." is Bordmechaniker"? i.e. the WOp/Gunner?

Thanks
Steve

Steve, that number 5 means 5th entry on that losslist of the Gen.Qu.

Jaap

[Steve Brew]

Thanks Chris, Bill and Jaap

Chris, I understand the direct translation, but would the flight mechanic also man the wireless or a machine gun? I'm trying to establish this as, after the first attack by 41 Sqn, the ventral gunner did not fire again, despite further attacks, and it was assumed the gunner had been hit.

Bill, I have two pilots of 41 Sqn attacking the aircraft at 15:35.

Regards
Steve

[Chris Goss]

No the Bordfunker would man the radio and yes, both would be gunners