LG1 He111 on 10/05/1940

[Luc Vervoort]

Hi !

Uffz Richard Bröer and his crew are reported to have been shot down 10 miles n of Lille (= in France). 2 crewmembers became pow to the British and 1 to the Belgian. Uffz Bröer himself got killed and was initially buried at Gent (Belgium).
The book " Twelve days in May " also mentions 10 miles n of Lille.

This however appears - to me - strange as 1 crewmember was buried in Belgium and another one was a prisoner of the Belgian army.
Who has more details about the last flight of Uffz Bröer ?

Many thanks and best regards

Luc

[Peter Cornwell]

Luc,

Here is what I have at present. I have never been able to establish exactly where this aircraft came down. Let us hope that someone knows.

Stab LG1 Heinkel He111H. Failed to return from reconnaissance mission over Bruges. Uffz R. Bröer captured badly wounded, later died in Dunkirk hospital. Uffz W. Kleint captured slightly wounded. Uffz W. Koch and Obergefr W. Hinrichs captured unhurt. Aircraft a write-off.
The wounded observer, Wilhelm Kleint, was later reported killed by shrapnel during a German bombing attack.

[Luc Vervoort]

Peter,

Many thanks for your interesting reply.

Based on your information found that Uffz Wilhelm Kleint is mentioned on the Volksbund website as died on 30/05/1940 at Dünk.St.Oktave and buried at Bourdon (France).
Presume that St.Oktave is the French steamer (Saint Octave, built in 1922, tonnage 5099 BRT) which was used as a floating prison by the French in the port of Dunkirk. This vessel was damaged by German artillery fire on 29.05.1940, killing 17 aboard and injuring approx. 70. It was repaired and used by the Germans as Ilse Fritzen, untill 25/01/1945 when it was attacked by RAF (143,235 and 248 Squadron) at Eidsfjord.

Is any confirmation available regarding the place of death of Uff.Bröer ?

Best regards

Luc

[Peter Cornwell]

Luc,

Thanks for the additional information - most interesting. Regret that I have nothing to add on the hospital in Dunkirk where Broer died. Sorry.

Peter

[cbe2009]

Maybe You already have the book "Die Geschichte des LG1" vol. one.
There it says that two He 111 from the Stabsstaffel were on an armed reccon. mission over Belgium and was ".......in der Gegend von Namur durch französische Morane abgeschossen" Uffz. R. Bröer made a "Notlandung", was badly wounded and taken to a lazaret in Gent, where he died few days later.
Best wishes
Christian