January 17 was typical of the area in winter; sleet and snow showers from sea-level upwards driven by a persistent north-westerly wind. Approaching from the south-east, three hours into its flight, was `Weather Willie', in reality a Heinkel 111 H-2, designated T5+EU, aiming to pass over the Fair Isle channel and out into the Atlantic. The crew consisted of Wetterdienst Insp. A. Kr Leo Gburek, the meteorologist; the 1st  Wireless Operator, Feldwebel Josef Wohlfahrt; the 2nd W/O, George Nentwig; the engineer, Unteroffizier Bernard Luking: and the pilot, Lieutenant Karl Heinz Thurz who I had the privilege to interview on his return to Fair Isle, 46 years after these events.  It was his 25th combat sortie.

Approaching the channel, conditions at sea-level became so inhospitable that they were forced to climb to 2600 metres (8,000 feet) to avoid them. `Soon after', recalls Karl Heinz Thurz, `through a gap in the clouds, I saw Fair Isle.'  Undoubtedly gaining height had placed the Heinkel onto the radar screens and at 10.45 a.m. Red Section were ordered to scramble, the five aircraft splitting into two groups; one of these, consisting of Pilot Officer 'Eddie' Berry, a New Zealander, and Flying Officer R. C. Watson, a Canadian, flew off in the direction of Fair Isle. Both pilots were relatively new to the squadron, having joined during the previous autumn.  After ten to fifteen minutes of climbing through cloud they entered a patch of clear airspace, and spotted the Heinkel above them. The German aircraft must have entered the same clear patch about the same time, and seeing the Hurricanes climbing to intercept; attempted to gain the safety of the clouds.  But too soon the Hurricanes drew level, and started their attack.  Berry made the first run, his fusillade running the length of the fuselage, wounding the gunner, Unteroffizer Luking, with shots through both legs, and Gefreiter Nentwig with severe side injuries. Then Flying Officer Watson began his attack; in an effort to avoid further strikes Leutnant Thurz slewed the Heinkel, but Watson's rounds hit home in the engines.  After a third attack the clouds were reached and the pursuit ended, .with the Hurricanes being, unable to follow. It then broke the clouds with smoking engines and, diving towards land, managed to make a forced landing at Vaasetter.