Fw 200 versus allied convoys 1941

[cz_raf]

Hi I am trying to put together some concrete allied convoys with their Luftwaffe opponents...

I went through some reports that on 6.5.1941 and 4.9.1941 allied convoys in North Atlantic were discovered or attacked by enemy plane believed it was Fw 200.

My question is if these planes were Fw 200 from KG 40, resp I/KG 40 as I was trying to find it on the web?

From where was these plane operating at this time?

Thanks a lot in advance and Happy New Year 2007!

Pavel

[Chris Goss]

Pavel: Not sure I understand your question. FW 200=I/KG 40 operating normally from Bordeaux. II/KG 40 was operating He 111 & Do 217 at this time whilst III/KG 40 was operating He 111

[cz_raf]

Hi Chris,
sorry for the bad question. As I am not so good in German units so it was the reason for the non-understable question.

Now it is clear to me that only I/KG 40 was operating with Fw 200 - so thanks for the Bordeaux.

I have got some informatin that they may operate from Vaernes in Norway but I was not able to confirm this info from any other source avaiable to me.

You are maybe remembering my questions about the Fw 200's dogfights with RAF CC aircraft on these dates - I am still trying to identificate the German planes without success. So I am interesting to know as much as possible about Fw 200 despatched for patrols on these dates.

Thanks for help and Happy New Year 2007 to you and good luck with your research.

Pavel

[Günther Ott]

Hi Pavel,

Though it will not be possible to discuss all Fw 200 attacks on allied North Atlantic convoys on this board as you might know from our previous correspondence, here are again some details regarding the two dates in question.

On 6th May 1941 Fliegerführer Atlantik had 3 Fw 200s of I./K.G. 40 out over the North Atlantic from Norway for armed reconnaissance between 59 N and Iceland during 01:27 and 14:53 hrs. At 07:32 hrs a Fw 200 reported a convoy of 32 freighters, 4 escorts and 4 destroyers and a flying boat while another had counted 39 freighters and 6 destroyers, obviously the same convoy, but in a position 120 sm East of the first sighting. The third Fw 200 sighted the convoy at 08:39 hrs in position Marine Quadrat AM1274 or Luftwaffe 26W7178, which was located roughly in the middle of the two earlier sightings. Crew of F8+CH, with Oblt. Rudolf Heindl in command, reported 40 freighters, 4 escorts and 3 destroyers but also that a flying boat and a twin-engined landplane prevented the Fw 200 from shadowing the convoy. The flying boat (regarded as a Lerwick, but in fact being Catalina “A” of 240 Sqdn RAF) made a single attack on the Fw 200 but turned back to the convoy while the landplane had stayed with the convoy.
On her way back to Norway F8+CH was encountered by a Lockheed Hudson at 10:35 hrs, but reached safe clouds after 20 minutes of battling. Having departed from Gardermoen this Fw 200 landed at Stavanger, while F8+GH with Lt. Rudolf Mayr had returned to Gardermoen. The third Fw 200 involved in this mission has not been identified so far.

On 4th September 1941 no encounters with allied convoys were reported and appear most unlikely due to the fact that a convoy sighting had been reported on 3rd September and it was only on the 5th that 4 Fw 200s (F8+EH Hptm. Willers, F8+CK Lt. Joos, boths from Bordeaux, and F8+CL Lt. Schaffranek and F8+EL Oblt. Vuellers, both from Cognac) were sent out to search and find this convoy again. F8+CK reported sighting of a Sunderland at 09:00 hrs while F8+EL made contact with a Hudson at 08:45 hrs but reached for safe clouds and evaded being attacked.

As for K.G. 40 bases in 1941 it needs to be noted that it was not only Bordeaux-Merignac to be used by Fw 200s, but also Cognac in France and Stavanger and Gardermoen in Norway. Furthermore it shoulde be noted that 4./K.G. 40 with their He 111 H-5s had been attached to I./K.G. 40 between May and July 1941 and also flew weather and armed reconnaissance missions over the North Atlantic from Brest, Gardermoen, Stavanger and Vannes with likely encounters to allied aircraft.

Regards,

Günther

[cz_raf]

Thanks a lot for full-range info Günther!