"...This report offers interesting details, including the commander's endorsement, the ammunition used, and more.
I do not know if there are any former pilots who still possess original victory claim reports. Since I have a few, I have selected one where Priller served as my witness.. "
Heinz Gottlob, Oberleutnant 1./J.G. 26 Gefechtsstand/ Combat Post, 23 June 1941
Gefechtsbericht - Combat Report
Take-off: 20:11
Mission: Alarmstart/Scramble,
Landing: 21:04
" I was flying in the top-cover Rotte for the Staffel (Deckungsrotte) when the Staffelkapitän attacked a formation of Spitfires. In the process, I saw three other Spitfires attempting to position themselves behind the Staffel. My Rotte and I launched an attack on these Spitfires. However, the Spitfires immediately recognized the attack and evaded it by turning very tightly. I maintained a position above the Spitfires, intending to wait until they broke off the turn and headed out to sea. However, I had to dive down beforehand because my own Rotte was being attacked from above. After shaking off that attack, I spotted a lone Spitfire flying northwest. The Spitfire was still over land at an altitude of 6,000 meters. I pursued it and managed to close the distance to 20 meters, as the pilot did not notice me at all.
I then fired from below and behind using all weapons. I saw a heavy trail of smoke beneath the Spitfire's fuselage; furthermore, debris was flying off the fuselage and wings. The aircraft pulled up slowly and then stalled, falling off over its left wing. This stall repeated... ...passed over the left and right wings two or three times. Then the Spitfire plunged vertically downwards. To be certain, I positioned myself behind it during the dive and opened fire. However, I soon had to break off my dive because the speed was becoming too high. I continued descending in a shallower turn, watching the Spitfire until it struck the water.
The pilot did not bail out." Gottlob
Abschrift/Transcript
Priller, Oberleutnant - currently at Gefechtsstand (combat ops post) , 23 June 1941
1./J.G. 26
Luftzeugenbericht - Aerial witness report regarding the shoot-down by Oberleutnant Gottlob on 23 June 1941 (20:50)
" Oberleutnant Gottlob, flying as the second Rotte in my Schwarm radioed that I was being attacked from behind. I pulled up into a left-hand turn and saw my cover (Deckungsrotte) gaining altitude over several Spitfires. I positioned myself above them and saw Oblt.Gottlob—who was now alone—get into position behind a Spitfire at very close range and open fire on it. The aircraft emitted a thick trail of black smoke and went into a spin. We followed, and I saw the aircraft crash into the sea approximately 8 km northwest of Calais." Priller
Below;
Heinz Gottlob at Maquise during 1940/1 - note '100' octane triangle. In this engagement (referring to the 'downing report) he flew an E-7 (point 18). He used 300 MG rounds and 100 cannon shells (point 16, Munitionsverbrauch) having made one firing attack (point 10, Anzahl der Angriffe) from below and behind (point 13, Takt. position)
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