"Gordon"
Two "Heinkel fighters", eh? Not intending to disparage this fine gent,
but I
would bet dollars to donuts that they were not Ernie's fighters, out
tangling
with B-24s over the open sea!

The article didn't say where this action took place. Perhaps not all
missions were over the open sea as you suggest. This could have taken place
on a return from a mission also. The first two subs weren't exactly over
the open sea either but in the English Channel. If I ever meet this fine
gentleman, I'll ask him!