First Air Raid of WWII – 31

15:20 – Poehle rescued and transferred to HMS Jervis

< 30 Pohle ditches in the Forth Δ Index 32 Which squadron shot down the first enemy plane? >

 
Pohle was transferred to the destroyer HMS Jervis (by which time his colleague was dead) where he was interrogated by the ship’s Paymaster, Lieutenant Ralph Engledue, who spoke some German.

As a consequence of his facial injuries Pohle lost consciousness again and the interview was terminated.

The Observer Corps post 36/B2 recorded the crash as having occurred at 14.55 hours, three miles east of Crail. The second enemy aircraft to be shot down in WWII.

602 had lost out in the race to score the first kill to 603 by just ten minutes. George Pinkerton later filled in his combat report and recorded the time of the combat as being ‘about 15.00 hours’.

The log book of HMS Jervis records:

14:50/16 German, A/C sighted. Action Stations.
14L53/16 German A/C shot down by own a/c. Proceeded full speed on co. 042 degrees to pick up survivors and wreckage.
15:20/16 Stopped and lowered boat.
16:25/16 Proceeded with one wounded and one dead German airmen co. 220 degrees. 30 kt.
17:05/16 Stopped off Methil Lowered whaler to pick up Lt. Robins.
17:23/16 Hoisted whaler
17:25/16 Proceeded Rosyth.
18:30/16 Secured alongside War Nizam.
19:50 16 Lighter alongside. Dead German lowered into it
21:45/16 German prisoner taken aboard launch for despatch to Hospital. Port Edgar.
21:45/16 Slipped from oiler.
22:15/16 Secured alongside Jupiter at Y berth. Mohawk on inside

 

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