Left: The famous Trollveggen in the background
4./II.LG 1(Lehr-geschwader) L1+KM 25.04 1940
Pilot Uffz.Helmuth Nolte (PoW). Navigator/Observer Gefr.Herbert Schmidt (PoW). Radio Operator Uffz.Hans Schrader (KIA). He rests at Havstein Cemetery in Trondheim. Gunner Uffz.Harry Frerichs (PoW).
Took off alone from Schleswig at 8.30 hours. Their target was the cruisers "Carlisle" and "Curacao". This was their second mission to Norway. They managed to drop some of their bombs, but missed the target. Suddently they were attacked by British Gladiators and received several hits. The radio operator was seriously wounded and one of the engines caught fire.The pilot managed to make a forced landing, wheels up in a snow covered field, but the aircraft skidded into the river.
The Heinkel was shot down by Gloster Gladiators of 263 Sqdn. RAF (Donaldson/Mills)
Left: Picture of the
bomber lying in the river. "Bomber livsfarlig". Tinde museum 2007
The three survivors were captured and brought to Scapa Flow on board the cruiser "York". They ended up as PoW's in Canada. In 1946 they returned to Germany.
Schraeder døde ikke selve i nødlandingen, men ble såret og sittende fastklemt i vraket. Der fikk han tak i en pistol og skjøt seg selv.