Still seeking ID info for photos of Ditching & Rescue of 1 or 3./ZG26 U8+GH or GL in the Channel during 8.40

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

My most vexing I./ZG26 loss (white rear fuselage band), either of U8+GH or U8+GL with 2-3 victory tabs on the fin, remains the dramatic loss (18 film images) of a Bf110 photographed with a powerful telephoto lens from the Pas de Calais being attacked by a British fighter (Spitfire?), then ditching in the channel. The crew was subsequently rescued by an He59 (camouflaged, not white) that landed nearby. This photo series was featured in German magazines of the time ("Signal" 1.10.40 issue) and to this day I know of no explanation from our known loss lists. The plane has no white nose, so it must have been an August, 1940, or very early Sept. incident. Does anybody have a theory about his one? Hptm. Johann Kogler the 1./ZG26 StaKap, who ditched off Folkstone on 11.8.40, seems to be the best bet, but the story of his rescue doesn't fit a quick pick-up by a rescue He59. Could the pick up by an E-Boat be erroneous info and their rescue was actually by an He59? The location doesn't seem to fit either. But if it wasn't Kogler, who or what loss was it?

For Kogler's loss, we currently list in the EOE DB: "August 11, 1940: 1./ZG26 Messerschmitt Bf110D-0. Both engines disabled in attack by fighters and ditched in sea 40 km north-east of the Thames Estuary 12.10 p.m. FF Hptmn Johann Kogler (Staffelkapitän) and BF Uffz Adolf Bauer both wounded – took to dinghy, rescued by E-boats off Nieuport, and admitted to hospital in Brussels. Aircraft 100% write-off."

Who can help, or perhaps has quality images of these film frames? I only have copies of images published in the Dutch edition of "Signal."

Regards,

[RT]

Rescued 4 days after crash ..


Remi

[Brian Bines]

The Alfred Price book 'Blitz On Britain' p. has three photos of what is said to be a Bf110 of III/ZG26 ditching one in the air,one with the nose under the water showing the letter G and three a camouflaged He59. The photos are captioned believed to be the last week of September. If this is a possiblity Bf110C 3263 fell to RAF fighters on the 25-9-40 with the crew picked up by Seenotdienst, one source gave the code of the aircraft as 3U+GR. I thought Kogler was rescued by an E-Boot this was from notes and I cannot remember the source.

[John Vasco]

Brian,
As far as I know, no III./ZG 26 Bf 110s carried a small white ring around the rear fuselage. All known information on this point up to present is that it was a marking used only by I./ZG 26. Photographic evidence also shows that the ring appeared on their Bf 110s before the application of white on the nose.

[Brian Bines]

John thanks for the info. even the excellent book on the Zerstorer by you and Peter Cornwall did not have an answer on this one. Short of an aircraft of I/ZG 26 being flown by a crew of III/ZG26 it looks like the 25-9-40 one is out. I wonder where the the info. in Blitz On Britain giving that the ditching Bf.110 was from III/ZG26 and likely in the last week of September originated,

Regards

Brian Bines

[Larry Hickey]

Brian,

A loss during the last week of September is ruled out by the publication date of 1 October for the Dutch issue of "Signaal" that was my photo source, give production lead times. I completely concur with John Vasco's statement about the thin white rear fuselage band only being used on I./ZG26 aircraft during the Battle of Britain (but not the Western Campaign). This does not appear at any time on any photo that I know of for II or III./ZG26. Also, the absence of white nose markings, known to be carried by I./ZG26 aircraft from the first week or so of September onward, confines this incident to about Sept. 4th at the latest, and probably more likely sometime in August, 1940. So, that still leaves this certain Bf110 loss as unidentified. It seems unlikely that a ditched and unrecoverable Bf110 would have been left off the QM loss reports, even though the crew clearly survived. But I see no likely candidates among what we currently know about I./ZG26's plane losses during August to very early Sept. during the Battle of Britain.

Unfortunately, the unit diary (KTB) for I./ZG26 did not survive the war, so we aren't gong to get an answer there, and we haven't been able to find a KTB for the German air sea rescue service operating in the Pas de Calais area, which might also have provided an answer. If someone knows something different than that about either of these possible sources, I'd sure like to hear from them.

Both John Vasco and Peter Cornwell are similarly at a loss to explain this one. What are we missing here?

Regards,

[Brian Bines]

Larry,

Last go for me, the QMs returns dated 2-9-40 has that on 30-8-40 I/ZG26 lost a Bf110C-4 in Air Battle with Fighters 100%, with location Kanal. No crew are shown as lost or injured and the code appears to be U8+CX w.n. 3582, in John and Peters book it is noted the X is incorrect and it is shown as lost on return. As the location is shown as Kanal 100% I wonder if this could be your missing aircraft, unless John or Peter has further info. confirming its loss on return. I could not see anything else that might fit, Hpt Kaminski and Bf I/ZG26 ditched on 18th.Aug were picked up after 4 days by a vessel (German Minesweeper in one book)
Hope you finally get to the bottom of this one,

Regards

Brian Bines

[Larry Hickey]

Brian,

Good idea that got me excited until I checked our current revised EOE Luftwaffe loss data base (compiled by Peter Cornwell) and find:

"Aug. 30, 1940: 2./ZG26 Messerschmitt Bf110C-4 (3582). Returned damaged following combat with fighters over the Channel. No crew casualties. Aircraft U8+CK 100% write-off."

So the staffel doesn't match a white or yellow "G," although the time period works.

Back to square one, but your thoughts and efforts are much appreciated.

Regards,