Zerstörergruppe I./ZG 76 over Norway

[Knut Larsson]

Hello

30th April 1940 was not a very good day for I./ZG76. As I have found out they indeed at least lost 3 planes and had 1 more damaged. Is there anybody out there who can tell me if all were lost to Blenheim planes from RAF Bomber Command or not? Was they all lost over the North Sea or did some fell over land at Rogaland in south-west of Norway.

Knut

[Peter Kassak]

I have three planes lost, Stab 2nd and 3rd staffel, at locations 20 km W Stavanger, Stavanger Sola and 2 km SO Stavanger Sola. For the Stab loss I have note air combat with Wellingtons...might be Blenheims? time 20:50 hrs.

[Peter Cornwell]

I have the following losses listed:

Stab I./ZG76 Messerschmitt Bf110C. Shot down by return fire during pursuit and attack on No.37 Squadron Wellington and crashed in the North Sea 20 km west of Stavanger 7.40 p.m. FF Hptmn Günther Reinecke (Gruppenkommandeur), and BF Gefr Enno Gruschwitz both missing. Aircraft 100% write-off.

I./ZG76 Messerschmitt Bf110C. Shot down by return fire during attack on RAF Wellingtons 20 km west of Stavanger 7.50 p.m. Crew believed rescued unhurt. Aircraft 100% write-off.

I./ZG76 Messerschmitt Bf110C. Crashed on landing at Stavanger-Sola. Crew unhurt. Aircraft 60% damaged but repairable.

2./ZG76 Messerschmitt Bf110C. Damaged by return fire during attack on RAF Wellingtons 20 km west of Stavanger 7.50 p.m. and crashed outside Sola on return due to engine failure. FF Lt Helmut Fahlbusch badly wounded - died next day, BS Fw Georg Scharfe wounded. Aircraft 100% write-off.

3./ZG76 Messerschmitt Bf110C. Tail damaged by return fire during attack on RAF Wellingtons 20 km west of Stavanger 7.50 p.m. and crashed 2 km south-east of Stavanger-Sola during landing approach. FF Oberfw Georg Fleischmann and BF Obergefr Hans-Dietrich Mierke both killed. Aircraft M8+GL 100% write-off.

I./ZG76 Messerschmitt Bf110C. Damaged in RAF bombing attack on Stavanger-Sola. No crew casualties. Aircraft 45% damaged but repairable.
An aircraft mechanic, Flgr Ernst Babak, was badly wounded in this attack and died May 3.Three gunners of Flakgruppe Stavanger were also wounded.

[Knut Larsson]

Hello Peter and Peter

Thank you very much for the fine info given.
Merry Chrismas and Happy New Year to you both.

Greetings from Dark Winter cold Norway
Knut