Wekusta 1 24 July 1940

[Brian]

Hi guys

I'm still endeavouring to find out something re 504 Squadron's claim for 24 July (assuming it happened - no ORB available?)

Francis Mason shows a He111 of Wekusta falling to three Hurricanes of 504 Squadron, with three crew killed and two rescued/PoW, on 24 July.

However, Peter has an aircraft of Wekusta 1 being shot down by two Hurricanes of 3 Squadron, with similar results, on 25 July.

And:

Francis Mason shows He111 of III/KG53 FTR from mission on 27 July, that may have also been claimed by 504 Squadron. Peter shows He111 of II/KG53 FTR, cause unknown.

Help, please!

Cheers
Brian

[Chris Goss]

I would err on the side of Peter

[Nick Beale]

Probably not relevant but an He 111 P, 1G+GM, crashed near Münster at 0945 on the 24th. Ltn. Stade was killed and two others seriously injured. (ULTRA CX/JQ/172, para. 50).

[Andy Mitchell]

Brian,

"Kington and Selinger in "Wekusta" show this as 25 July 1940 (so agree with Peter).

See page 45 - crew listed together with commentary from Re.Rat.Ernst Franken the sole survivor.

[Brian]

Hi Andy

Thanks for confirmation.

Any chance of a scan of the relevant quote/report, please? I haven't got a copy of "Wekusta"

Cheers
Brian

[edNorth]

Checked my GQM fiche, it was Wettererkundungsstaffeln 1, He 111 H-3, Orkney, 25.07.40, Reg Rat a. Kr. Franken (BAMA RL 2 III 1174 P.113, Entry 33. 26.07.40)

[Karsten]

The He 111 near Münster was codes 1G + CM (Source Boelcke Archiv)

Rüdiger