![]() |
|
Luftwaffe and Axis Air Forces Please use this forum to discuss the German Luftwaffe and the Air Forces of its Allies. |
![]() |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
He59 operating off Isle of Wight August 1940
Hi guys
During August 1940 it was reported that an ASR He59 operated off the Isle of Wight with immunity, often within sight of a Walrus carrying out similar duties. What do we know about this? Was it always the same aircraft - presumably painted white with Red Cross markings? Who were the crew and unit? Did they carry out any rescue/recovery sorties? If so, whom? The Walrus crew apparently picked some 35 British and German airmen during the same period. Any help appreciated. Cheers Brian Last edited by BrianC; 10th September 2024 at 17:45. Reason: typo |
#2
|
||||
|
||||
Re: He59 operating off Isle of Wight August 1940
From 29 July1940, order was sent out changing all white and Red Cross aircraft to be camouflaged. Aircraft would have been from either Seenotflugko 1 (Brest) or Seenotflugkdo 2 (Cherbourg) and yes they did rescue German airmen. They had more than one aircraft but not many
|
#3
|
||||
|
||||
Re: He59 operating off Isle of Wight August 1940
Brian,
See "Additional Notes and Losses" for 1. Seenotstaffel and 2. Seenotstaffel on the Luftwaffedata Wiki The 2. Seenotstaffel notes will give you an idea of their operations. These are derived from RL10/401 and RL10/402 respectively. Neither these nor Larry's notes indicate anything like your suggestion of impunity.... Note even though RL10/401 indicates that it covers from July 1940 there was little for Aug and Sep 1940.
__________________
Best Regards Andy Mitchell LuftwaffeData Wiki including the history of Aufklgr. 122 |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Re: He59 operating off Isle of Wight August 1940
Hi Chris
Thanks for the response but this poses further questions: Wearing conventional Luftwaffe markings, how did the He59 avoid being attacked by RAF fighters, especially whilst alighted in British waters? Do we know the identities of any of the aircrew rescued by the Heinkels? Were any RAF airmen rescued by the Heinkels? Are there any reports of such rescues? Any literature available? Cheers Brian |
#5
|
||||
|
||||
Re: He59 operating off Isle of Wight August 1940
Although it took time to camouflage He 59s (for example the one shot down by 206 Sqn on 15 Aug 40 was still white/Red Cross), it could easily be armed with up to 3 x MG15s. Trouble is, being so slow it was an easy target especially when on the water. Luftwaffe records usually say rescued by Seenotdienst which could be air or surface craft. If unwounded, the name would not be recorded (hence the III./KG 26 and Seenot crews picked up on 18 Aug 40 are not named as they were unwounded). RAF aircrew were rescued by He 59s (look at Sqn Ldr Ken Doran DFC on 30 April 1940) but not in the Battle of Britain (at least I have no Fighter Command aircrew ending up as POWs). Coastal and Bomber Command is another matter-you would have to do some digging. Never seen a list of who picked up whom and there is one book on ASR by Karl Born (but doesn't go into much detail)
|
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Re: He59 operating off Isle of Wight August 1940
Thanks, Chris and Andy
Some interesting information. Cheers Brian |
![]() |
|
|
![]() |
||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Spitfire Loss, Sgt Manton 610 Squadron, 29 August 1940 | Peter Cook | Allied and Soviet Air Forces | 7 | 18th August 2024 20:12 |
New website for RAF Aircraft Losses September 1939 to August 1940. | Martin Gleeson | Links | 14 | 11th August 2024 01:32 |
Battle of Britain Airfields Under Attack: 19 August 1940 – 6 September 1940 | edwest2 | Books and Magazines | 0 | 5th August 2024 18:26 |
"Manston Mutiny" August 1940 | BrianC | Allied and Soviet Air Forces | 5 | 19th May 2024 18:17 |