504 Sqn RAF vs He 115 on 2 April 1940

[Laurent Rizzotti]

On 2 April 1940 three Hurricane of 504 Sqn intercepted over the North Sea a formation fo He 115 of 3./KüGr 506 and Flg Off Philipps claimed one shot down.

Then my various sources disagree on what happened:
_ the crew was either killed, or survived. The name of the pilot was Oblt Erwin Birking or Dirking.
_ according to an old "Batailles aériennes" magazine, the Hurricane of Philipps was hit by return fire and he ditched and was rescued with wounds. There is no mention of this loss in FCL book, but I know it is not complete.

To confuse things, an Oblt Erwin Dirking of 3./KüGr 5 was killed on 10 May 1940 while laying mines off Holland (confirmed both by BoFTN and Volksbund)

I would like to have more details for both sides (even if this is posted on the Luftwaffe forum, I hesitate to post two questions), and especially confirm the fate of the people and aircraft involved.

Thanks in advance

[Peter Cornwell]

Laurent,

The German losses on April 2, 1940, were as follows:

3./KüFlGr. 506 Heinkel He115B-1. Both engines badly damaged in attacks by Blue Section of No.504 Squadron following armed-reconnaissance south-west of Terschelling Bank. Ditched in the sea off Lowestoft following attack by F/O D. Phillips 7.50 a.m. BO Lt zur See Erwin Dirking (Funkoffizier) slightly wounded, rest of crew believed unhurt - all rescued by He115B S4+GL. Aircraft S4+EL sunk by gunfire 100% write-off.

3./KüFlGr. 506 Heinkel He115B-1. Returned with one float punctured in attacks by Blue Section of No.504 Squadron following armed-reconnaissance south-west of Terschelling Bank 7.40 a.m. No crew casualties. Aircraft S4+HL damage state not recorded.

Phillips was hit by return fire, wounded in the leg, and forced to ditch his badly damaged aircraft in the North Sea the rest of his section having already broken off and returned being low on fuel. He was picked up by a British steamer. And, yes, it was the same Lt zur See Dirking who was killed near Loosduinen on May 10, 1940.

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Thanks Peter for the quick reply

Do you have the serial number of Philipps Hurricane ?

[Peter Cornwell]

Laurent,

I regret I do not.

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Thanks again anyway

[BC]

Hi all:

Don't know where the info about Phillips' Hurricane going into the sea came from, but it is duff gen!

F/O David Phillips was flying Hurricane I L1951, TM-L, and was "Blue 2". Two of the three Hurricanes were compelled to turn for home due to fuel shortage, but Phillips continued the attack, closing to 100 yds and taking serious hits from return fire, including a bullet in the thigh.

He force-landed his aircraft in a field near the Rollesby Road at Martham, near Gt Yarmouth, Norfolk. Info from the gen men on the RAF Commands forum seems to indicate Phillips ended up flying a desk, presumably as a result of the wound/injury.

IWM HU69946 and HU69945 are different views of Hurricane L1951 on its belly at Martham after this incident, complete with RAF guard. Aircraft repaired and eventually crashed later with 9 FTS.

Sorry if you are now a little more confused !

BC

[Peter Cornwell]

Hello Bob,

My information on PHILLIPS originated from the late Heinrich Weiss' records so certainly old, and as it turns out, incorrect data. Thanks for the most welcome correction.

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Thanks Bob for the details on the Hurricane of Philipps