KG30 sunk HMS Trinidad 14/5/42

[Monaco]

Hello Brian, etc.:
good to know, that a brain is working also with 50+ years. When I read this thread, I remembered I had read a rare booklet about KG.30 years ago though I lost my copy. I researched the case and now I´m holding it in my hands again to quote for you thus giving a hint for the final attacker of HMS Trinidad:
"14 May 1942 report by Uffz. Doczkal: Attack on the british warship formation.
Then Uffz Hofemann and his observer Uffz Koller were stationed at Banak with Fw Dünnwald and myself in one room. According to the memories of Uffz Hofemann about the sinking of the british cruiser TRINIDAD he had carried out the attack like this: Uffz Hofemann was ordered by the formation leader Lt Schölermann (probably SCHÖLERMANN, Heinz. (DOB: 26.01.20). 01.04.43 promo to Oblt./A1, FFS (C) 6. 12.44 Oblt., appt Staka of ? (to 1945) to go beneath the clouds to carry out another search flight at an altitude between 200-300m above the Polar Sea. Just before the point of return he sighted a big warship and immediately zoomed back upwards into the clouds again to prepare his attack. He carried out a normal blind flying approach against the warship sailing underneath and began to drop after the second 180 degree curve having the target right in front of him after leaving the clouds. Immediately after the attack - 2-3 bombs reportedly hit the cruiser - strong defensive fire set in. He instantly zoomed back into the clouds and set course for home. He had taken from the defensive fire only scratches in the on one surface rudder. Before reaching Banak he radioed to ground control, that he had attacked and presumably hit one warship. During the night there was suddenly loud noise: Men from the command post entered our room and told, that a spotter plane had reported, that the cruiser had sunk. Thereafter he was promoted to Feldwebel and awarded the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold All names mentioned were from 3./KG.30.
Has anyone more info about the persons mentioned?
Cheers
Michael

[Chris Goss]

Fw Fritz Hofemann (F) was awarded the DKiG 22 May 1942, EP 15 Feb 43.
Fw Heinz Doczkal (B) was awarded the RP 15 May 1944
Fw Hans Koller (?) (B) EP 5 Oct 42


The only Dünnwald I can find was Fw Heinrich (BS) awarded EP 9 Nov 42

[BrianC]

Many thanks indeed, Michael

Just what I was seeking.

Three cheers for the over-50s!!

Brian

[Monaco]

Thank you Chris, de nada Brian,
I would like to share more infos from the booklet (that maybe once was supposed to be published as a book) with those, who regularely contribute to this forum - I think about sending a copy to Larry de Zeng for Luftwaffe officers or to you if you´re interested.
Just one more about Hofemann - I think he was also responsable for the sinking of the soviet ship Dekabrist (7363 BRT) on 4.11.42 - quoting Lt. Heinz Schölermann (it´s him I saw the first name in an award copy):
"...I remember very clear a mission at the beginning of November 1942 as we had taken off in a 7-formation for "Fächeraufklärung" over the Polar Sea (against single ships trying to reach Murmansk/Archangelsk in bad weather). On my route I encountered one single travelling ship of about 7-8000 BRT just before the point of return. Via BZB (Bord zu Bord - board to board broadcast) the other 6 Ju.88 were drawn together and then the attack begann. We attacked singely one after the other dive bombing, the flak on the cargo shot wildely, red "mice" passed on by the attacking Ju.88, but none had hit, when they were "below". The last Ju.88 was the one of the crew of Fw. Hofemann (a baker master from profession, reserve officer and pilot !): Hit with a SC 500 nearly amidships. The ship instantly took a list of 10 °, but did not sink immediately. Later it was confirmed, that crewmembers of this ship had saved themselves on Hopen Island (E of Spitzbergen). It´s a pitty that Fw. Hofemann failed to return from a mission over the Mediterreanean Sea the following year."
Fritz Hofemann was MIA on 17.1.43 with 3 more crewmembers in Ju.88A-4 Wnr.1476 (4D+LA) of Erpr.St./KG.30 cause unknown, maybe shot down by P-38 of 82nd FG on Ju.52 escort.
p.s. Heinz Doczkal was indeed an observer (Bo) in 3./KG.30 flying with the crews of Geffken and Frohberg.
p.p.s: Dünnwald was a gunner(Bs) in the crew of Frohberg

[Chris Goss]

Monaco: Most interesting. Is it privately published as with my interest in maritime offensive ops, this book appears interesting.
Presume Ofw Martin Frohberg?

[BrianC]

Hi Michael

Once again excellent.

I've sent you a PM.

Cheers
Brian

[Dan History]

Originally Posted by Monaco

Just one more about Hofemann - I think he was also responsable for the sinking of the soviet ship Dekabrist (7363 BRT) on 4.11.42 - quoting Lt. Heinz Schölermann (it´s him I saw the first name in an award copy):
"...I remember very clear a mission at the beginning of November 1942 as we had taken off in a 7-formation for "Fächeraufklärung" over the Polar Sea (against single ships trying to reach Murmansk/Archangelsk in bad weather). On my route I encountered one single travelling ship of about 7-8000 BRT just before the point of return. Via BZB (Bord zu Bord - board to board broadcast) the other 6 Ju.88 were drawn together and then the attack begann. We attacked singely one after the other dive bombing, the flak on the cargo shot wildely, red "mice" passed on by the attacking Ju.88, but none had hit, when they were "below". The last Ju.88 was the one of the crew of Fw. Hofemann (a baker master from profession, reserve officer and pilot !): Hit with a SC 500 nearly amidships. The ship instantly took a list of 10 °, but did not sink immediately. Later it was confirmed, that crewmembers of this ship had saved themselves on Hopen Island (E of Spitzbergen). It´s a pitty that Fw. Hofemann failed to return from a mission over the Mediterreanean Sea the following year."

Monaco, thank you for sharing this extremely interesting information with us. The Soviet steamer Dekabrist is often reported as having been subk by torpedoes, so it is useful to have a German account of the sinking. You have a PM from me, too

Kind regards,

Dan

[igorrB]

Most reliable report belongs to crew members, freed after war from captivity. It says about combined attacks from bombers and torpedo-bombers. First torpedoes were evaded, but then one bombe from Ju.88 fall near and damaged ship. Huge explosion shook ship and made his electrical devices unserviceable (incl. flak guns). Then was again attack by torpedo-bombers and one torpedo hit DEKABRIST in bow at portside. It was 12.10msk - alas, i can't check it in german records because their absence for 4.11.42. Ship was moved for some time stern first, but then sunk slowly.

[Monaco]

Thank you Igor,
I have read about the torpedo attacks before, but do not remember the source. Does the russian report mention the type of aircraft involved?
Dear Chris and dear Brian I wrote you a PM, dear Dan I will write you a PM, just lacking time.
About the Dekabrist torpedo attackers I assume, that they were He.115 from 1./KFlGr.406, which recorded the damage to one plane this day due to flak hit over the Polar Sea. In a way it would have been a reasonable mission for the vulnerable floatplanes to attack single ships instead of heavily protected convoys.

BTW: About Hofemann´s last mission: Does someone know what was Erpr.Kdo/KG.30 testing?

[Monaco]

Ah, a quick check brought it up again:
Claude Huan: La marine soviétique enquerre, p.112: On 4th of november 1942 single running Dekabrist (7,313 grt) was sunk by a torpedo aircraft. 80 men took to the boats and tried to reach Hope Island near Spitzbergen. Four survivors including one woman were discovered by a He.111 on 22.7.43 submarine U 703 tried to pick them up and succeeded by 26.7.43 only.