II./KG 51 intruder operation

Individual report No. 6 of 12/5 addressed to Robinson IC:

Copy of Report No. 2904 from Oblt. Erdmann, IA to Luftflotte 3: report of results of night ops against England on 11–12/5.

1)

Ops: 4 Me 410 of (Roman) II./KG 51 (take-off 23.11 to 23.26 hours) on harassing raid against the English ground organisation: intruder night fighting (Verfolgungsnachtjagd).

2)

Execution of attack: 2 Me 410 carried out an attack in the Cambridge area from 00.05 to 01.45 hours [GMT].

Details: 1 Me 410 attacked from below and astern a four-engined a/c with a single tail unit (thought to be a Stirling) flying at 600 metres in 05 E/0383 at 00.38 hours. The a/c crashed in flames and fire was observed where it hit the ground. This same Me 410 at 00.40 hours sighted another four-engined a/c in 05 E/0383 but lost sight of it after it extinguished its navigation lights. Owing to bad visibility 1 Me 410 failed to sight the enemy. 2 Me 410 broke off owing to technical difficulties.

3)

Defence: slight searchlight activity in 03 E/1370.

4)

Weather: cloudless over the sea and in the ops area. Much haze. Enemy losses: at 00.38 hours 1 four-engined a/c (thought to be a Stirling) shot down in 05 E/0383.

Notes:

(1) For 5./KG 51 at Gilze Rijen on 6/5 see T181/60 and note.

(2) First mention of Me 410 aircraft with (Roman) II./KG 51, and of operations by this Gruppe since leaving Eastern Front.