Irish Air Corps files

[Richard T Eger]

From 12 O'Clock High!:

David Brook
Merchant Seaman would appreciate help
Mon Apr 15 16:15:33 2002
62.6.85.18

I am researching my old company ships of which four were either damaged or sunk due to aircraft operations. I would appreciate it if anyone could supply details of:
1: minelaying between Scapa Flow and Invergordon causing loss of SAN TIBURCIO on 4th May 1940
2: details of aircraft which sunk SAN CONRADO on 1st April 1941 off The Smalls (Bristol channel)
3: details of aircraft which attacked and damaged SAN ROBERTO in North Sea on 10th May 1941
4: details of aircraft which damaged SAN CIPRIANO off Valiki Point Murmansk on 16th January 1943

Any information would be appreciated and if I can help with details of British Merchant ships please ask.

Regards and Thanks

David Brook

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Tony Kearns
Merchant Seaman would appreciate help
Tue Apr 16 20:04:28 2002
194.125.173.49

Hello David,
I have some information on the attack on the San Conrado on 1 April 1941. Up to 15 Heinkel 111s of I./KG.27 were operating that day against shipping in the Bristol/St. George's Channel area from 0855 to 1800hrs.Duting the last sortie 3 aircraft of 1./KG.27 were involved 1G+LH, 1G+HH and 1G+CH. The crew of 1G+LH claimed that after their first attack on the San Conrado it was rocked by a huge explosion and later sank. This aircraft was in turn attacked by two Hurricanes of 316(Polish) Sqn. F/O Gabszewicz(of later fame)and P/O Bohdan Anders and damaged the Heinkel forcing it to land in neutral Ireland. The crew were interned for the duration of the war.The crew were Lt. H. Grau, Ofw. E. Lorre, Uffz. O. Jaeger, Uffz. E. Genzle and Sonderfuhrer Lt. G. Fleischmann. I in turn would like to know the names of the other two crews,
Regards,
Tony K

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Franek Grabowski
Merchant Seaman would appreciate help
Wed Apr 17 00:54:49 2002
213.25.54.73

IIRC One of the crewmen of 1G+LH was taking the photos during the attack on Coronado. I was always curious if he photographed the attacking Hurricanes! Anders was flying V6635 SZ-X and Gabszewicz V7000 SZ-S. Unfortunatelly no photos of those birds are known.
David, do you have any details or any nice photo of Coronado?
Best wishes
Franek

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Tony Kearns
Merchant Seaman would appreciate help
Wed Apr 17 22:43:24 2002
194.125.173.115

Hello Franek,
The sonderfuhrer Lt. George Fleischmann had his personal camera on the flight. He did not get any photos of the attacking Hurricanes in fact he never saw Anders Hurricane and misidentified Gabszewicz's Hurricane as a Spitfire. His camera was returned to him by the Irish Authorities during his internment
Regards
Tony K

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Franek Grabowski
Merchant Seaman would appreciate help
Fri Apr 19 13:46:12 2002
213.25.54.73

Thanks for the info. What had happenned to the film taken during the sortie? I do recall an article from the Aeroplane (Was it yours?) with the shot of the ship being hit. Also, are you awared of any other shots of this He 111 rather than well known 'profile' one?
Best wishes
Franek

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Tony Kearns
Merchant Seaman would appreciate help
Fri Apr 19 22:11:27 2002
194.125.173.162

Hello Franek,
Yes the article in Aeroplane Monthly June 1988 was mine warts, blips and all. The film was removed from Lt. Fleischmanns camera, developed and at the end of the war returned to him as it did not contain anything concerning Irish neutrality. He remained in Ireland until about ten years ago, when he went to Canada.He was killed when he fell into pavement works. I dont know what happened to the film. There are photographs of the Heinkel after it force landing in Ireland taken from different angles.
Best wishes,
Tony K.

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Franek Grabowski
Merchant Seaman would appreciate help
Sun Apr 21 20:40:46 2002
213.25.54.73

I understand you had a chance to get copies of at least few photos! http://www.lwag.org/ubb/wink.gif
Do you know how to get the photos of this Heinkel? Are they in any archive?
By any chance do you know anything of straffing the Dublin aerodrome by 32 Sqn's Hurricane as well as are you awared of any photos of Boleslaw Sawiak's Spitfire (315 Sqn)?
Best regards
Franek

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Tony Kearns
Merchant Seaman would appreciate help
Mon Apr 22 20:36:52 2002
194.125.205.235

Hello Franek,
There are a number of photographs of this Heinkel 111 in Irish Air Corps files taken from different angles. Very few photos of the other crashes German or Allied exist in their files. I can arrange to get some of the Heinkel photos for you. There is a photograph of Sawiaks Spitfire but there is a difficulty over ownership of copyright which has not been resolved as yet. I am wondering where the story of 32 Squadron Hurricanes strafing Dublin aerodrome originated. No such incident happened. Does anyone have a photo of Boleslaw Sawiak when he was with 315 Sqn.
Best wishes
Tony K

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

David Brook
Heinkel
Tue Apr 23 17:52:27 2002
213.1.185.127

Tony I would appreciate a xcopy of the heinkel involved with the San Conrado that subsequently crashed in Ireland - let me know the cost and will post it onto you.

Regards

David Brook