My God father / Uncle failed to return from a mission in 1942,Below is all the info. I have. I am trying to find more info on 13/KG 40 and Hauptmann Heide without much success any suggested areas I should be looking please Pilot Officer Joseph Walter Hawkes 128405 77 Sqn. Bomber Command (Working with Coastal Command) RAF Chivenor Missing in Action 09.09.42 Whitley Bomber Z 9209 Runnymede Memorial. Grave ref Panel 70, 09/09/42 No.77 Sqn Whitley V Z9209 Coded G for George Op: A/S Patrol, Took off RAF Chivenor Sgt W J Hilton P/O J C Ken worthy P/O J Hawkes Sgt J Ferguson Sgt P Johnson F/Sgt R F Smith RCAF Failed to return. Last heard on w/t at 13:53 hrs but believed to have been shot down by Hptm P Heide of 13./KG40. 13./KG40 was formed in 8.42 at Nantes, with Ju 88C fighters. The rest of the Gruppe was formed 1.43 at Kerlin-Bastard. Remained there during its existence (Fl. Fü. Atlantik), with detachments at Bordeaux-Merignac and Cognac. Only used Ju 88C fighters. As far as I know the above information is correct Any help will be much appreciated
A few years ago I designed a historic scenario for a flight simulator company based on air operations over the Biscay. Chris Goss' book was an excellent source. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bloody-Biscay-History-Gruppe-Kampfgeschwader/dp/0859791750 If you would like to read about the historic background you might like John Terraine's "Business in Great Waters" and "Eagle in Flames" by E R Hooten I have attached a couple of other documents used as part of the scenario. Here is an extract from a German newspaper report . Obviously not the same action, but how the Germans saw these battles.
Sheldrake, I also have to say that the Eagle in Flames by E R Hooten is a good source of Information. A book that I have had quite a few years. Regards Tom
Panel from Runnymede Memorial attached. HAWKES, JOSEPH WALTER Rank: Pilot Officer Service No: 128405 Date of Death: 09/09/1942 Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 77 Sqdn. Panel Reference Panel 70. Memorial RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL
Have just purchased Bloody Biscay. Only extra info I have so far QUOTE (Hauptmann Heide shot down in combat and+) I do not understand what the + sign is for.Does this mean he was shot down at a later date Or does this just mean he shot down Whitney whilst involved in combat with it rather than just shooting it down unopposed.
Aircraft losses for 111 and V Kampfgeshwader 40 and 1 And Zerstorergeswader 1 July 1942-July 1944 9th Sept 1942 Ju88C-6 360022, F8+KX 13/KG 40 Hptm Paul Heide (St Kap)-F, Ogefr Rudi Wiencke –BF, Fw Karl Gruendler-BS, M Probably shot down in combat with Whitney Z9209 of 77 Sqn. So it would appear that Hptm Paul Heide was shot down by PO Hawkes and crew in the final (for both )show down I guess that that is as far as I need to take this research thanks for all the help and suggesrions
hi, we came across this thread whilst helping my son research his ww2 project on Sgt. James Ferguson, the gunner in the Whitley above. We didn't uncover much more information that is mentioned above, but we would be happy to share the project.
NeilF, Red Top still visits, as does Sheldrake and CLI. The other two don't. I am sure adding your son's 2023 research will be a gain (it cannot be uploaded in Word, I use PDF).
