"Brand IV" was attacked west of Bjørnøy outside Ålesund 1940-04-29 at 1130 by three German planes (Ref Kreyberg, L. 1976. Efter ordre - eller uten. Oslo). Captain Kreyerg was the medical officer in charge.

The planes were from Kampfgruppe G 30 using Junker 88A (Ref Hafsten, Bjørn, Et al. 1991. Flyalarm. Luftkrigen over Norge 1939-45. Oslo, Sem & Stenersen; pages 42 & 46).

The ship was on it's return trip from Ålesund to Åndalsnes and did not have any patients on board. Five persons were killed, 12 injured of which three seriously.

The ship was white with painted red crosses and flying a red cross flag.

After being bombed the ship moved in under Bjørnøy and the ships company evacuated to shore. The planes attacked the ships company hiding in the terrain with machine gun fires for about an hour.

The incidence has been painted by Mark Postlethwait commissioned by the Norwegian Royal Navy Medical Service.

Sincerely yours

Dr Jan