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Luftwaffe and Axis Air Forces Please use this forum to discuss the German Luftwaffe and the Air Forces of its Allies. |
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#1
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Double Loss off Falmouth & the Lizard 24 November 1940
I am looking for any information on the planes and crew lost off the south Cornish coast on Sunday 24th November 1940.
The first was believed to have been shot down by Spitfires at 1225 hours (UK time) between Kynance and the Lizard. It is believed this plane had been involved in a raid on Redruth. The Lizard lifeboat picked up one wounded and one dead. The second was shot down in Falmouth Bay at 1944 hours by AA fire. It is believed this plane exploded mid-air and there were no survivors. The sources I have from British military units in the area and from the local Cornish press give no details regarding the type of plane or of the crew. Any information gratefully received. |
#2
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Re: Double Loss off Falmouth & the Lizard 24 November 1940
Luftwaffe Crash Archive Volume 6 by Nigel Parker covers this date on pages 720-723 and actually lists three losses in the Cornwall area for this date so I've listed all of them
Quote:
Final loss He 111H-4 Wn.3092 G1+KN 5/KG55 at sea one and a half miles 225 degrees off Antony Signal Station Falmouth Cornwall 19.40 hrs Quote:
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#3
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Re: Double Loss off Falmouth & the Lizard 24 November 1940
Thanks Orwell1984. That's brilliant.
It's the first and third of the incidents you've posted that I am interested in. Thanks for details on planes and their crews. Much appreciated. I like the tale about the keys! |
#4
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Re: Double Loss off Falmouth & the Lizard 24 November 1940
First loss was due to Blake and Mortimer-Rose of 234 Sqn
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#5
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Re: Double Loss off Falmouth & the Lizard 24 November 1940
Thanks for that Chris. I have now purchased their Combat Reports from the National Archives.
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#6
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Re: Double Loss off Falmouth & the Lizard 24 November 1940
A stupid question: So VB+?K seems to be one of the rare four-letter Verbandskennzeichen and not a Stammkennzeichen?
Regards RolandF |
#7
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Re: Double Loss off Falmouth & the Lizard 24 November 1940
I believe the correct codes were VB+KR. Aircraft of 2./Aufkl.Gr.Ob.d.L carried the unit codes 'VB' of 2.(F)/Aufkl.Gr.121 (the parent unit from which they were formed) but in a distinct break from normal practice the staffel letter 'K' appeared directly aft of the fuselage Balkenkreuz leaving the individual aircraft letter (in this case 'R') as the last letter of the aircraft code.
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#8
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Re: Double Loss off Falmouth & the Lizard 24 November 1940
I understand Walther Schmitz was buried on the Lizard on the Friday following the incident. His remains were then moved to Cannock Chase once the German Military Cemetery was established.
Rupert Stangassinger, in addition to severe shock, had bullet holes in the face and one in the elbow. The village doctor was called, who dressed his wounds. Before being taken to hospital he was given hot coffee by the owner of the Wave Crest Tea Rooms (still there on Lizard Point!). The local press report (1 paragraph) on Schmitz's funeral adds that the air mechanic was making a good recovery. |
#9
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Re: Double Loss off Falmouth & the Lizard 24 November 1940
The book "Battle of Britain the Forgooten months" has the Do17 of KFLGr. 606 a victim of the British radio countermeasure "MEACON"
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