Seeking photos of 107 SQ Blenheim IV, OMo?, N6189 Crashed into the Cruiser Emden at Schillig Roads on 4 Sep 1939

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

This photo may document a loss on the first Bomber Command raid of WW II, which was on Schillig Roads, at Wilhelmshaven, Germany on Sept 4, 1939.

1) I've located what I think is a photo of the sheared off tail of this a/c, which shows the code OMo? and the partial SN (N)618?, which could be laying on a concrete quay or apron after being hoisted from the water of a harbor. I'm hoping that other, dated photos, of this incident may exist to confirm the provenance of the photo. Alternatively, three of the Blenheim SN in this block were lost with 107 SQ that day: N6184, 6188 and 6189. By a process of elimination, did any other of the seven SN in this series serve in 107 SQ and go lost under circumstances that might be consistent with such a photo?

2) Does anyone have information or photography depicting the full code of this a/c?

We carry this loss in the EoE DB as:

"4 September 1939: Blenheim IV N6189. Disintegrated under intense AA fire during attack on the pocket battleship Admiral Scheer in the Schillig Roads off Wilhemshaven and crashed into port side of the cruiser Emden in the Hipper-Hafen. Flying Officer Herbert B. Lightoller, Sergeant O. L. D. Howells, and Aircraftsman First Class E. W. Lyon (of No.110 Squadron) all killed. Aircraft a write-off.
Eleven crew were killed aboard the Emden and a further 30 wounded. Wreckage recovered and landed on the apron of Fliegerdeich seaplane base."

This is one of two Blenheims lost in the harbor that day that were at least partially recovered by the Germans. Several salvaged wreckage photos of a second 107 SQ Blenheim, N6240, purported to be OMoK, also exist.

Who can help?

Regards,

Larry Hickey
EoE Project Coordinator