Four FW.200's and Convoy HG-65, June 15th 1941

[wwrsimon]

On June 15th 1941 at c.06.50, Convoy HG-65 was attacked by three or four FW-200s and possibly a Ju-88 at position approx. 34º 46' N, 08º 46' W. The convoy at that time had Catalina I AH538 of 202 Squadron patrolling as escort.

Three of the crew of AH538 were awarded medals for defending the convoy against the attackers - a D.F.C. for the pilot, and three D.F.M.s to the gunners. The D.F.M. citation to one of the waist gunners, Sgt. John Turnbull, reads:

On 15th June, 1941, he was Air Gunner in the crew of Catalina AH.538 which was carrying out anti-submarine patrol to convoy H.G.65 in position 34º 46’ N, 08º 46' W, when four enemy Focke Wulf Kuriers attacked the convoy and were in turn attacked by AH.538. Sergeant Turnbull manned his aircraft blister guns and brought his fire to bear on the enemy with skill and determination, notwithstanding that returned by them. During the many attacks upon the enemy aircraft, Sergeant Turnbull claimed hits on his targets and the report received of an F.W. Kurier crashing in Portugal on the same morning suggests his fire was accurate. He is thought to have had an important share in this action whereby the enemy attack upon our ships was rendered fruitless.

I wondered if there was a Luftwaffe account of this incident which could give further details of the events, and the Condors and possibly Ju-88 involved. Did any Luftwaffe units report lost or damaged aircraft that might match?

Many thanks

Simon