Looking for information regarding identity of pilots credited with sinking RMS Lancastria on 17 June, 1940

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WizardWampful420
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Joined: 29 Mar 2021, 17:00
Location: USA

Looking for information regarding identity of pilots credited with sinking RMS Lancastria on 17 June, 1940

#1

Post by WizardWampful420 » 07 Oct 2021, 05:21

On 17th June 1940 RMS Lancastria sank with heavy loss of life off Saint-Nazaire; which Luftwaffe pilots were credited with the sinking?

Larry D.
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Joined: 05 Aug 2004, 00:03
Location: Winter Springs, FL (USA)

Re: Looking for information regarding identity of pilots credited with sinking RMS Lancastria on 17 June, 1940

#2

Post by Larry D. » 07 Oct 2021, 15:10

Take your pick:


FORGATSCH, Heinz. (DOB: 08.03.15 in Bunzlau/Schlesien). (R). Mid-1930s joined the Kriegsmarine and trained as a naval aviator. 01.09.39 Lt., promo to Oblt.(Tr.O.), 2./Kü.Fl.Gr. 306. 01.11.39 Oblt., trf from 2./Kü.Fl.Gr. 306 to 2./Kü.Fl.Gr. 806. 01.01.40 Oblt., 2./ Kü.Fl.Gr. 806. 06.40 trf to Erprobungsgruppe 210. 1940-41 Staka 4./SKG 210. 20/21.01.41 Oblt. in 2./KGr. 806, WIA - Ju 88 A-5 damaged by night fighter over UK, crash-landed at Caen-Carpiquet. 14.06.41 Oblt., awarded Ritterkreuz for distinguished and courageous service in KGr. 806, and for personally sinking a 14,600 GRT troop transport in the Channel (possibly Lancastria? – but seems unlikely) - 16,243 GRT, over 4,000 killed, sunk 17.06.40 by a/c in Loire Estuary. 23.09.41 Oblt. and Führer Erprobungsstelle Rechlin (Erprobungsstaffel Me 210)?, killed in Me 210 A-1 (SJ+GG?) crashed vic Ankershagen, NW of Rechlin, during a test flight from Rechlin - due to engine failure. Buried at Hamburg-Ohlsdorf Cemetery. Posthumous promo to Hptm. with effect from 01.09.41. Credited with sinking 1 ship in about 100 missions.

GRAVENREUTH, Siegmund-Ulrich, Freiherr von. (DOB: 21.10.09 in München). (RE, DKG). (n.d.) studied law. 17.06.40 Oblt. and Staka 3./KG 30 unhurt, claimed a hit on a 10,000 ton transport, possibly the Lancastria (which sank with a loss of over 4,000 lives) - Ju 88 A damaged by AA over the Loire estuary then attacked by No.1 Sqdn., force-landed in Belgium. 30.07.40 trf to 1./KG 30.

A definitive answer does not seem to be available.

L.


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