The RAF Intelligence Viewpoint
The RAF’S Air Intelligence (g) and (k) sections reported on the wreck of the aircraft and interrogation of the crew:
“All the available aircraft of II./KG53 started at about five minute intervals from Lille-vendreville, the A1 + JN being the second aircraft of the 5th Staffel to take off.
From Lille-vendreville, this aircraft made landfall at Dover and flew up the Thames to London at 14,000 feet. The crew reached the objective and release the bombs, but the results were not observed.
On the return journey, they were attacked from behind by a single-engine night fighter. In all, six attacks were delivered by this aircraft which was thought to be using cannon. The port engine was disabled and the starboard engine damaged. The pilot dived down to 150 feet in an effort to escape but was forced to make a belly landing. The aircraft is in fairly good condition.
The pilot was badly wounded, and the remainder of the crew were all either wounded or injured. The observer, a Hauptmann who had but recently been promoted, was shot down over Holland on 10th of May 1940. He was repatriated in July and was sent for duty at the RLM before returning to his unit in February.
The morale of the crew was not very good, as is becoming usual with KG53.”
Reporting on the airframe,the following: “He.111 H.5.
Crashed on 11.5.41 at 0005 hours at Kennington, near Ashford.
Identification markings: A1 + JN, the letters JN being in black with white edges. JN is also marked on the fuselage. No crests. Aircraft number 3976, made by Ernst Heinkel, Rostock, dated 27.2.41. Fitted with Jumo 222 H1 engines. Starboard engine by Kristorbau Zeigwerke Kochen/anhalt, No. MZK 211/H1 – 238. The port engine made by Motorenbau Zeigwerke Magdeburg No. MZK 211/H1 – 667.
Aircraft destroyed by fighter action with 20 – 30 .303 strikes in tail, fuselage, and around port engine. Majority from dead astern but a few from dead ahead. Signs of port engine overheating. The machine did a belly landing in a field in very fair condition.
Armament: 5 x MG15S, one front, one dorsal, two lateral, one lower rear. Position prepared for fitting of 20mm cannon, but no cannon fitted. One MG17 in tail.
Ammunition: 60 drums of MG15, usual spectacle type. Part of PVC 1006 bomb rack badly broken and underneath wreckage. Starboard 250kg racks fitted with incendiary bombs. Petrol tank on the port side is fitted with jettison pipe.
Armour: Standard one piece adjustable next to bulkhead, two bumps on it for protection of rear lower gunner.
Lotfe 7c bombsight and Fug 10 wireless set in good condition.”