Hi All, Over recent years I have been trying to line up a claim in an RAF combat report with a possible Luftwaffe loss. Unfortunately, there seems to be a gap in the records I have accessed around the date concerned. The RAF pilot saw his shots landing but the Luftwaffe aircraft (I suspect a Bf109 despite the report denoting an 'He113') rolled over and into a cloud bank, so he never really knew the outcome of the engagement. The combat took place 5 miles from Calais on 23JUN40 at 1600hrs. Given the broad range of expertise in this forum, I thought I might throw this one open for feedback. Thanks in advance. Cheers Owen
I wonder if this action may be covered in the new ATB book due anytime now ; 'The Battle Of France - Then & Now' by Peter D Cornwell....?
..are you sure about the date Owen..? 23 June 1940 ... the armistice was signed on 22 June ..for the date you've mentioned I've checked the activities of the two principal fighter Geschwader during the Battle for France, JG 26 & JG 2 - but drawn a blank ...II./JG 26 was up over Compiegne to cover the signing ceremony on the 22nd but there was no sign of the RAF, and thereafter - along with other Gruppen - moved back to Germany for some R&R & to lick their wounds.... Lt. Julius Meimberg of II./JG 2 wrote in his memoir.." we were finally able to take a breather. The constant round of sorties had taken its toll and the armistice was greeted with something approaching relief. While we were still flying virtually everyday the tension and strain of imminent combat progressively faded - our routine had become exactly that - air tests, ferry flights, coastal surveillance sorties, various exercises..."
The only real resource that I have, the JG26 War Diary by Caldwell, only states that on the 22nd JG26 started their return to their permanent bases in Germany. They had no casualties between 19 and 26 June...
Thanks all for the input. Yes I'm sure of the date being the 23JUN40. In addition to the date on the Air Combat Report, there is the cross reference to his logbook and a further cross-reference to the log-book of the pilot leading the Squadron on the day in question. I've drawn a blank on this everywhere I've looked also. Thanks again, Owen
The only thing I can add is that 3.(jagd)/LG2 claimed to victories NW off Calais on the 23rd....Maybe if a plane was downed, it might have belonged to LG2? They flew Bf109E's at the time, operating from St. Inglevert/Pihen.
