Luftwaffe Activity over the Bay of Biscay

[schnellmeyer]

I am researching to see if any Luftwaffe units were operating over the Bay of Biscay on December 16 & 17, 1943. I would be grateful for any help, thanks.

[Chris Goss]

Any types in particular?

[Nick Beale]

For 16 December the Bletchley Park Air Operations Watch team noted: a routine security patrol by a Ju 88 of 3.(F)/123 from 1550 GMT and a "special night operation" by an aircraft the same unit to the area NNW of the Scilly Isles. There was also an evening search operation by 3 Ju 88 thought to be looking for an aircraft of Westa 2 that had reported being in difficulties. (Piere Babin's "La Wekusta 2 au Combat" says this was Ju 88 D-1 W.Nr. 430005, D7+KK. It suffered engine failure and crashed into the sea with the loss of all four on board).

On the 17th: "No operations were carried out on account of adverse weather conditions".

[Chris Goss]

For starters, 16 Dec 43:


Ju 88 TO 0818 hrs on weather recce. Engine failure 1150 hrs, last message 1302 hrs
Ju 88 TO 1338 hrs looking for missing Ju 88
Ju 88 TO 1802 hrs "


17 Dec 43


Ju 88 TO 0733 hrs
Ju 88 TO 0728 hrs
2 x Fw 190 TO 1145 hrs

[schnellmeyer]

Thanks Nick & Chris, I know this is a long shot but in December 1943 there was a naval battle in the Bay of Biscay between HMS Glasgow and Enterprise and the German blockade runner Alsterufer and it's escort ship which were all sunk.
I am looking into this incident and was wondering if the Luftwaffe were providing air cover for this operation ? I do know that after the battle a Fw200 Condor circled the surviving German sailors, I assume this was from KG40 ?
Did KG40 also operate the He177 at this time too and would it have been possible for one to have been over the battle scene at this time ? Thanks

[Chris Goss]

You are a week early-there was one hell of a battle with Condors and He 177s involved in numbers. I have just obtained a photo of FAW 7 PB4Y-1s in action. Have a look at my Condor book............

[schnellmeyer]

Cheers Chris, as always am most grateful for your help.The battle was in late December but were KG40 operating the He177 over The Bay of Biscay on December 16, 1943 ?

[Chris Goss]

No mentions of KG 40's He 177s that day from what I can see. Why do you ask?