Ju 88 of 3(F)/122, 11 May 1940, shot down

[DavidIsby]

On 11 May, 1940, a Ju 88 of 3(F)/122 was shot down over the Channel by three Spitfires of 19 Squadron. This was the first Spitfire victory after the opening of the German offensive in the west.

Can anyone refer me to sources on this combat above its mention in THE BATTLE OF FRANCE, THEN AND NOW?

Did Wilfrid Clouston talk about this combat in his memoirs, published in the 1980s?

Thanks.
David Isby

[Jim P.]

This probably won't help much since 'The Battle of France, Then & Now' is later publication. Cull's book may have a bit more detail....

Ju 88A-1, , Heyer?, Ltn. (B), , , 3.(F), 122, , , , , 11-May-40, MIA due to Luftkampf with Spitfires from 19 Sq. 1 other POW, 1 KIA., , Lfl.2/Westfeldzug, Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #1)-Vol.1; Cull, et al, Twelve Days in May, p.60, , 15km östlich East Dudgeon lightship, 100%, F, , ,

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Jim, if by Cull's book you mean "Twelve days in may", there is no detail for this, only:

"Fighter Command scored a further victory during the early afternoon, when three Spitfures of 19 Squadron encountered a Ju 88 of 3(F)/122 off the Dutch coast and shot it down into the sea, ten miles east of the East Dudgeon lightship."

The summary of day's claims and losses at the end of the chapter is not including this, as it covers only AASF and Air Component Units.

[Hans Nauta]

Hi David,

Actually this Ju 88 managed to fly back to the Dutch coast where it had to be ditched near the Frisian Isle of Terschelling.

I do have the combat report of Clouston with a brief account of the encounter somewhere if you're interested.

Kind regards,
Hans Nauta

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

Our present holding for this loss in the EOE Luftwaffe loss DB is provided below. Virtually all entries for Luftwaffe losses have been revised, many substantially, over what was published in TBoFrT&N, and many new entries, not previously known, have been added for losses or damages, especially for recon a/c. This entry accurately reflects what Hans says about the location of the ditching, for which we have located some photos, as well. You'll note that all losses now report crewmen first names and crew positions:

"May 11, 1940: 3.(F)/122 Junkers Ju88A-1. Port engine and radiator badly damaged in attacks by Blue Section of No.19 Squadron (F/L W.G. Clouston, F/Sgt H. Steere, and F/O G.W. Petre) during reconnaissance sortie 30km off Great Yarmouth and ditched in the Waddenzee east of Terschelling 2.11 p.m. BM Uffz Hermann Kunze drowned, rest of crew picked up by the ‘Bavaria‘. BO Lt Friedrich Meyer captured unhurt, FF Uffz Reinhold Krulich, and BF Uffz Walter Höbel both captured wounded. Aircraft 100% write-off."

Hans, I would appreciate a copy of the report by Clouston, if you are able to dig this out.

Thanx,