Stuka Attacks on Portland, July 11, 1940

[Peter Cook]

I am trying to establish the identities of the Stuka Geschwader that took part in the 2 attacks on Portland on July 11th, 1940. The first attack, starting at approximately 07.35, is generally recorded as comprising 10 Ju87s escorted by Bf109s of JG27. The 2nd attack, starting at approximately 11.35 was made up of approximately 30 Ju87s and 30-40 Bf110s of ZG76. The makeup of the fighter escort is not disputed, the problem is with the identification of the Stuka components.

All the major sources describe 10 Stukas making the first attack, with the count presumably based on the combat reports of Blayney and Little of 609 Squadron, who gave a figure of 9 and 10 Ju87s respectively. However, as far as I can determine, only one source (Bergstrom, Battle of Britain) identifies the Stuka unit as IV/LG1.

The 2nd attack was almost certainly made by Stukas of III/StG2, with Bergstrom providing a count of 44 Ju87s. Francis Mason (Battle Over Britain) identifies two Staffeln from III/StG2, and lists one Ju87 of III/StG2 shot down at 11.30. However he also lists one Ju87 destroyed and one damaged from 11/LG1. Ramsey/Cornwell (BOB Then and Now) also identify the destroyed and damaged 11/LG1 Stukas. Andy Saunders (Stuka Attack) describes “about fifteen Ju87s”, and has a 9/StG2 Stuka shot down at 11.35. Simon Parry (Battle of Britain Archive) lists 20 Ju87s from III/STG2 and identifies a 9/StG2 Stuka that was shot down. Brian Cull (Battle for the Channel) identifies 15 Ju87s of 11/LG1 and III/StG.2, and identifies one Stuka destroyed and one damaged, with both coming from 9/LG1.

To add further confusion, Helmut Mahlke, Gruppe Kommandeur of III/StG1 describes in his Memoirs of a Stuka Pilot, page 117, how the entire Gruppe (30-40 Ju87s) took part in a shipping attack on July 11th. However, none of the major sources identify III/StG1 as a participant in any action on this date

Can anyone help to unravel which Geschwader took part in which action?