He115 of 3/Kü.Fl.Gr.906 lost on 13 Jul 1940

[Black6]

In BBCA Vol.1/p.60 there is brief mention of a He115 of 3/906 lost 13 Jul 40 night mine laying with Ltn.Dr.Steinert, Oblt z.S. Hilldebrand and one airman.

I have a 3/Kü.Fl.Gr.906 Heinkel He115 C-1 crash landing near Juist on return from the Thames Estuary, the crew were all killed/drowned. German records suggest the crash was at c. 03.00/04.00 hours on 14 Jul 40.

Ltn zur See (FF) Dr Gerhard Steinert (45/73045) born 10 Mar 1907 at Konnersdorf/Teltow (body recovered 31 Jul/1 Aug 1940)
Oblt zur See (Beob) Hans-Joachim Hildebrandt (73045/5) born 15 Nov 1916 at Lensin, Greifenberg/Pom. (body recovered c. 20 Jul 40)
Fw (BF) Hermann Pluntke (73045/26) born 8 Dec 1917 in Stendal. (body recovered and buried Brockeswalde General Cemetery, military plot)

Steinert might have been a 5 Staffel pilot.

I dont believe the He115 was shot up by a night fighter because I have searched Air50 claims etc but please can anybody advise on claims made by Thames Estuary AA or maybe a ship ?

thank you Peter

[Chris Goss]

Nothing from Coastal Command also

[Black6]

Thanks Chris, I seem to have forgotten to check Coastal

[Stig Jarlevik]

Peter

This seems to have been WNr 2736 STKZ CA+BJ (8L+xx) which is only listed as crashed for unknown
reasons that day.

B Rgds
Stig

[Black6]

Thanks for your help Stig

[Peter Cook]

This is what I have:

Mason - 1969 - Battle Over Britain - p. 130
3./906 - Heinkel He 115 - Combat Mission - Believed hit A.A. gunfire over Thames Estuary during mining operations at night. 100% damage. Obit. z. S. Hildebrand and Ltn. Dr. Steinert killed: one other missing.

Ramsey/Cornwell - 1980 - BoB Then and Now - p. 539
3/906 - Heinkel He 115 - Failed to return from operational sortie over the Thames Estuary. Lt. Dr. Steinert and Obit. zur See Hildebrand killed. one NCO wounded. Aircraft lost.

Parry - 2016 - BoB Combat Archive - Vol. 1 p. 60
13 July - Other Luftwaffe Operational Casualties - 3/906 - He115 - Lost on night mine-laying operation. Ltn Dr Steinert, Obltn zur See Hildebrand, one airman lost.

Cull - 2017 – Battle for the Channel - p. 78
3./KuFl.906 - He115 (2736) - shot down by AA fire Thames Estuary: Ltn z.S. Dr Gerhard Steinert (pilot), Oblt z.S. Hans-Joachim Hildbrand and Fw Hermann Pluntke (all killed).

Balss - 2018 - Luftwaffe Losses & Claims - Vol. 3 p. 153
3./Ku.FI.Gr. 906 - OP - Nordsee
Take off Norderney - Douse - Estuary - Missing (mine laying mission)
He 115 B 2736 - 100% damage
P Ltn. Gerhard Dr. Steinert KIA, B Oblt.z.S. Hans-Joachim Hildebrandt KIA, Bf Fw. Hermann Plundtke MIA

Luftwaffe-sur-zee Website - 2019 (approx. translation from German)
3./Kü.Fl.Gr. 906 - He 115 B2 - CA+BJ - W.Nr. 2736 - 100% damage
Operational flight, Thames estuary, mining operation. Reason unknown.
(FF) Ltn. Dr.phil. Gerhard Steinert († 05.08.40), (B) Obltn.z.S. Joachim Hildebrandt († 14.07.40), † (Bf) Flg. Hermann Plundke.

Peter

[robert]

I have it as shot down by Hampden I from No.5 Group at approx. 03.20 hrs (German time).

Regards

Robert

[Black6]

Thanks Peter

Excellent, thank you Robert, the time fits well, I shall see if I can put more together on that combat.

thank you Peter

[Chris Goss]

It would appear that a capsized He 115 was seen 113 miles off Flamborough Head by a Hudson of 220 Sqn on 13 Jul 40

[Black6]

Originally Posted by Chris Goss

It would appear that a capsized He 115 was seen 113 miles off Flamborough Head by a Hudson of 220 Sqn on 13 Jul 40

Many thanks Chris, the picture is becoming clearer