Items in the He 113 Tag

R.A.F. Wyton station intelligence officer issues photos of He 113 for squadron files

Secret. From:- R.A.F.Sation,Wyton(Intelligence) To:- O.C. 15 Squadron. O.C. 40 Squadron. Date:- 16th May 1940. Ref:- WS/S.476S/S/Int.
15. SQUADRON
ROYAL AIR FORCE
5 16 May 1940
Ref:- 1054/PHOTO.
Photographs - German Aircraft. Herewith 5 copies each of three photographs of the Heinkel 113 for including in your dossier of aircraft photographs. C????????S/Ldr.
for group Captain, Commanding,
R.A.F.Station,Wyton,Humbs.

(AIR 27/260/1)

F/Lt. Deere encounters He 113s escorting bombers over the Thames Estuary

Sector Serial No(A)D 2.
Serial No. of order detailing patrol(B)
Date(C)24/7/40
Flight, Squadron(D)Flight A Squadron 54
No. of Enemy Aircraft(E)42 (Approx.)
Type of Enemy Aircraft(F)Do.215 ME. 109
HE 113
Time Attack was delivered(G)12.25
Place attack was delivered(H)Thames Estuary
Height of Enemy(J)7,000 Feet
Enemy Casualties(K)Confirmed One Me109 destroyed identified
Three Me109s fired at
Our Casualties Aircraft(L)NIL
Personnel(M)NIL
Searchlights(N)(i) NIL
A.A. Guns Assistance(ii) NIL
Fire for Fighters
(Measured or Estimated)		(P) Range Opened 350 Yards
Length of burst Various
Range closed 150 Yards
No. of Rounds per Gun 1331
General Report(R)
While patrolling Deal at 7,000 Feet a large formation of enemy bombers was observed flying up the Thames Estuary, behind and above Bombers were 3? ME 109's and further 12 above and in cloud. I told Blue leader to go for the first three and I would take my section above and after the nine above. At that moment nine HE. 113's came from behind and I saw them in time to avert being shot at. I managed to stall turn into their tails and fire a burst into the centre of the formation which broke up. 109's then came down from above and a Dog Fight ensued. I had general wild bursts at various aircraft, but was unable to get a decent bead because of constant attacks from behind. I managed however one decent long burst at a 109 at close range and he went down with glycol pouring from his machine.
Rabbit Red Leader.
Sgd. A.C.Deere. F/Lt.
A C Deere

(AIR/50/21/105)

F/O McMullen attacked by He 113s over the Thames Estuary

Sector Serial No(A)D 2
Serial No. of order detailing patrol(B)
Date(C)24/7/40
Flight, Squadron(D)12 aircraft 54 Squadron
Number of Enemy Aircraft(E)Big Formation
Type of Enemy Aircraft(F)ME.109's HE.113's
Time Attack was delivered(G)12.25
Place attack was delivered(H)Thames Estuary
Height of Enemy(J)7,000 Feet
Enemy Casualties(K)Confirmed One ME. 109 destroyed unconfirmed
Unconfirmed 1 ME109 Probable
Our Casualties Aircraft(L)NIL
Personnel(M)NIL
Searchlights(N) (i)NIL
A.A. Guns Assistance(ii)NIL
Fire for Fighters
(Measured or Estimated)		(P) Ranged opened 200 Yards.
Length of burst Various
Ranged closed 100 Yards
No. of Rounds per Gun 2057
General Report. (R) I was patrolling with Red Section as Red 2. Blue Leader reported Bombers to our North as we were over Deal. Whilst turning off to attack the fighters, 12-15 HE.113's came up alongside from our rear. We took evasive action and finished up behind them, at the same time a squadron at least of 109's appeared. I sprayed the enemy formation as did Red1. This proving very effective. The section broke and I went into cloud. When I came out I saw approximately 6,000 feet below two ME.109's in a tight V. I attacked from above and behind, and the leader went into the sea. I turned my fire on to No. 2. Large clouds of Black Smoke came out, and bits fell off, enemy aircraft staggered. I then went home.
Sgd. D.A.P. McMullen F/O.
DAP. McMullen F/o.

(AIR/50/21/49)

501 Sqn. patrol from Hawkinge

OPERATIONS RECORD BOOK of (Unit or Formation) No. 501 Squadron.

PlaceDateTimeSummary of EventsReferences to Appendices
Gravesend 1940 AUGUST
12.		 PM The Squadron (12 aircraft) took off from Hawkinge at 1725 hours and landed at 1840 hours. Pilot Officer Gibson landed at Hawkinge after shooting down a Me 109. The Squadron were unable to operate from Hawkinge owing to the damage caused by bombing by enemy Aircraft. POSTINGS. Squadron Leader Holland was posted to 55 Squadron to command and ceased to be attached to 501 Squadron w.s.f [?] 15/8/40 - Auth. -No.11 Group.

In this Squadron diary P/O Gibson is noted as claiming a Bf. 109 but in his combat report he claims an He. 113.

P/O Gibson claims an He 113 destroyed over Lympne

Sector Serial No (A)
Serial No. of order detailing patrol (B)
Date (C) 12.8.40.
Flight, Squadron (D) Flight: "A" Sqdn.: 501
No. of Enemy Aircraft (E) Two
Type of Enemy Aircraft (F) HE. 113.
Time Attack was delivered (G) 17.35
Place attack was delivered (H) Lympne
Height of Enemy (J) 6'000,
Enemy Casualties (K) One. HE.113 (Confirmed) destroyed
Our Casualties Aircraft (L) 1 Hurricane forced landed
Personnel (M) See Below. Nil.
Searchlights: (Did they illuminate enemy if not, were they in front or behind?)(N.1)N/A
A.A. Guns: (Did shell bursts assist Pilot intercepting enemy?)(N.2)N/A
Range at which fire was opened in in each attack delivered, together with estimated length of bursts.(P) Range opened. 400 - 100yds Length of Burst. 2 Bursts of 4 seconds
Total No. of rounds fired 1300
Name of Pilot (Block Letters) J.A.A. Gibson.
General Report (R) See Over.
I was No.2. in Red Section when the Squadron was ordered off to Patrol Hawkinge. The enemy was sighted approaching Lympne from the South West. There were about 20 Machines and I think that they were Do. 17s. Behind[?] and above was a very strong formation of fighters. Looking behind our own Squadron I noticed that the rear sections and red section No.3. were not there. I afterwards learned that they had pursued some E/A that were below us. This left only the Squadron Leader any myself and we carried on traveling West climbing into the sun. As we were turning to the right to deliver the attack I noticed in the rear vision mirror an aircraft diving. I called to Red 1 about it and pulled away to the right and saw two Heinkel 113's on my tail. I dived into and got out of a cloud and found the two E/A behind me on the left. From this time on I did not see Red 1. I began steep turning to the right and finally managed to turn to the right inside and catch up one of the E/A. I gave him two burst and suddenly saw him turn over on his back and go down over the vertical. The other E/A had been circling above and came down as I got on the tail of the first. As I dived down following the first E/A I saw white tracer coming from behind. I Immediately dived into another cloud but could not find the other E/A when I emerged again I then returned to base.
Ja Gibson
Red 2 Red Section
501 Sqadron.

AIR/50/162/21

54 Sqn. engage raid over Dover and Hawkinge

OPERATIONS RECORD BOOK of (Unit or Formation) No. 54 Squadron.

PlaceDateTimeSummary of EventsReferences to Appendices
Hornchurch 1940
august
15th		 11.18 Large formations of Me 109.s scattered before the Squadron's approach over Dover; proceeding to HAWKINGE further He 113.s were met; their tactics of "milling" and "circling" did not bring our pilots into the trap set for them. Sgt. Lawrence showed his genuine hatred of the Ju 87 by shooting down three of them in flames before himself falling a victim to an enemy fighter. He had a fortunate escape when his machine crashed into the sea, taking him down with it. Rescued by the Navy he is now in Dover Hospital suffering from shock. Sgt. Klozensy, our other casualty, was showt down near Ashford, but is making progress in hospital there. For these losses we claim 4 enemy aircraft destroyed (including a new type (Ju 87) to our list) and three damaged. F/Lt. Deere claiming a Me 109 destroyed, F/O McMullen, F/Lt. Gribble, P/O Hopkin were responsible fr the damaged enemy aircraft.

F/O McMullen claims one He 113 damaged over Hawkinge

Sector Serial No(A)D.1
Serial No. of order detailing patrol(B)
Date(C)15/8/40
Flight, Squadron(D)12 aircraft 54 Squadron
Number of Enemy Aircraft(E)130 approximately
Type of Enemy Aircraft(F)40 Ju.87
50 He.113
40 Me.109
Time Attack was delivered(G)1118 - 1215 hours
Place attack was delivered(H)Dover and Hawkinge
Height of Enemy(J)Fighters 19,000 feet
Bombers 7,000 "
Enemy Casualties(K)Destroyed -
Probable -
Damaged 1 He 113
Our Casualties Aircraft(L)NIL
Personnel(M)NIL
Searchlights(N) (i)N/a
A.A. Guns Assistance(ii)None
Fire for Fighters
(Measured or Estimated)		(P) range opened )
Length of burst ) not known
Range closed )
No. of rounds fired )
F/O McMULLEN The Squadron was ordered to engage the enemy aircraft in the Dover area. We climbed to 16,000 feet and saw a large number of ME 109's at that height. Before we could engage them, they turned tail and headed straight for Calais. We then were ordered to Hawkinge and when at 17,000 feet, encountered a number of HE 113's milling and circling - protecting dive bombers 10,000 feet below. I managed got get onto the tail of one of these and fired a short burst from about 250 yards range, I saw glycol pouring out, but since the enemy aircraft was at that height, he probably managed to get home.
DM McMullen F/o

(AIR/50/21/49)

F/Lt. Deere damages an He 113 over Hawkinge

Sector Serial No(A)D.1
Serial No. of order detailing patrol(B)
Date(C)15/8/40
Flight, Squadron(D)12 A/C 54 Sqn.
No. of Enemy Aircraft(E)130 approx
Type of Enemy Aircraft(F)40 Ju 87
50 He 113
40 Me 109
Time Attack was delivered(G)1118 - 1215 hours
Place attack was delivered(H)Dover and Hawkinge
Height of Enemy(J)Fighters 19,000 Bombers 7,000
Enemy Casualties(K)Destroyed 1 Me.109
Probable Nil
Damaged 1 He.113
Our Casualties Aircraft(L)Nil
Personnel(M)Nil
Searchlights(N)(i) N/a
A.A. Guns Assistance(ii) None
Fire for Fighters
(Measured or Estimated)		(P) Range Opened )
Length of burst ) see attached sheet
Range closed )
No. of rounds per gun fired 2720
General Report(R)
F/Lt. Deere The squadron was ordered to engage enemy aircraft in the Dover area. We were at 16000 feet climbing when we met about 40 ME 109's off Dover. Immediately they sighted us they half rolled and streaked back to Calais in no formation at all. I shot at two of these and succeeded (with a long range burst from astern - range 300 - 250 yds) in bringing it down in flames. I saw it dive from 17000 feet down to 1000 feet before I had to break away. I then understood that Hawkinge was being bombed and proceeded there, climbing to 18000 feet where I encountered a number of HE 113's. These were circling about and obviously staying to protect bombers. I managed to get on the tail of one and had no difficulty in overtaking it. I got in a number of rounds from astern and must have damaged him badly as glycol was streaming out. I followed the enemy aircraft back to Calais at 18000 feet before returning. HE 113's has yellow roundels on the main plane upper surfaces.
A C Deere F/L

(AIR/50/21/105)

F/O McMullen claims one He 113 probable over Maidstone

Sector Serial No(A)D 2.
Serial No. of order detailing patrol(B)
Date(C)15. 8. 40.
Flight, Squadron(D)12 a/c 54 Squadron
Number of Enemy Aircraft(E)60 (Approximately).
Type of Enemy Aircraft(F)40 Do.17's.
He.113 ) Unknown No.
Me.109 )
Time Attack was delivered(G)1826 - 1930
Place attack was delivered(H)Maidstone.
Height of Enemy(J)Bombers 18/19000. Fighters 13/25000.
Enemy Casualties(K)Destroyed. NIL.
Probable. 1 He.113.
Damaged. NIL.
Our Casualties Aircraft(L)NIL.
Personnel(M)NIL.
Searchlights(N) (i)N/A.
A.A. Guns Assistance(ii)NIL.
Fire for Fighters
(Measured or Estimated)		(P) Range opened )
Length of burst ) See attached Sheet.
Range closed )
No. of rounds per gun 608.
F/O McMullen We were ordered on patrol and given a vector straight away. The Squadron climbed to approximately 17000 feet and orbited. Yellow Section gave Tally-ho,. On looking in that direction I saw a large formation of bombers resembling DO 17's. I was No. 2 to the C.O. We went into line astern and came round behind the DO 17s. Echelon left was then ordered and I found one He 113 in front of me. I closed range to about 250 - 300 yards astern and fired short bursts. Bits fell off this aircraft and he appeared to be going down out of control. I saw my fire bursting on him. I was then attacked myself and was forced to break off the engagement. I fired one short burst at one HE 113, which I think was the one which fired on me.
DM McMullen F/o

(AIR/50/21/49)

F/Lt. Deere D.F.C. claims He 113s

Sector Serial No(a)D2
Serial No. of order detailing patrol(b)--
Date(c)15th August 1940
Flight, Squadron(d)12 a/c 54 Squadron.
No. & type of Enemy Aircraft(f) 40 DO 17s
HE 113s numers unknown
ME 109
Time Attack was delivered(g)1826-1930
Place attack was delivered(h)Maidstone.
Height of Enemy(j)Bombers 18/19,000 feet
Fighters 23/25,000 feet
Enemy Casualties(k) Destroyed 1 HE 113.
Probable 1 HE 113. Damaged ----
Our Casualties Aircraft(l)ONE
Personnel(m)NIL.
Searchlights(n)(i) N/A
A.A. Guns Assistance(ii) NIL
Fire for Fighters(p) Range opened. See attached report.
Length of Burst
Rage closed
No. of rounds fired 2720
The Squadron was ordered to investigate enemy formations in the Maidstone area. I saw a large formation of enemy bombers heading towards London; and almost 50 fighters in front of them and about 4000 feet above. I warned the rest of the Squadron and climbed to engage the fighters - HE 113s at 19,000 feet. I managed to get in a short burst at one (200 yards range) before I had to break away. I then followed two HE 113s and after a very long chase (which I found later had taken me over France) caught up with them. This was at 17,000 feet and I had to use 12 boot. I fired at the first one from 300 yards; I do not think the enemy aircraft could have seen me, because it took no evasive action. My burst must have killed the pilot, because the machine went down into the sea , glycol and smoke poured from it - but I did not actually see it crash, although it stood little chance of getting back. The cloud was 10/10 all over the Channel and when I came through it, I found I was over Calais Marck Aerodrome. At the same moment, 5 HE 113s appeared from nowhere and chased me back over the Channel. They were very fast and must have been within range most of the time, as my instrument panel and hood were shot about and the machine probably sustained over damage. I was only 800 feet above the sea, when the enemy aircraft left me at Folkestone. I continued inland, but my engine stopped and the plane began to catch fire. I managed to gain a little height (up to 1500 feet) when I baled out. I just felt the jerk of my parachute openeing, when my fall was broken by some tall trees. My machine crashed 50 yards away from me. My only injury was a sprained writes. The HE 113s not only had yellow in the wing tips, but also on the top of the tail.
A C Deere F/Lt

(AIR/50/21/105)