Aero Notes 1

26-Feb-07 Page 3

Historical Notes

Western Europe: Spain Feb-36 Popular Front (Spanish Communists + other left wing parties) wins the election. The Condor

Legion in Spanish Skies

18-Jul-36 Army garrisons revolt against the Spanish (Republican) government. 19-Jul-36 Spanish Morocco: Franco flies to Tetuan and takes command of the 25000

troops of the Spanish foreign legion. Asks germany for transport planes to fly them to Spain. Hitler sends 9 Ju52s directly, and ships 11 more plus 6 He51s in 22000 t. merchantman Usaramo.

The Condor Legion in Spanish Skies

20-Jul-36 France: Popular Front Prime Minister Lon Blum promised assistance and sold Dewoitine D.372 fighters, Bloch MB.210 and Potez 54 bombers to Spain. Ju52s begin ferrying Francos 25000 troops 40 at a time, 5 trips a day from Africa to Spain.


23-Jul-36 Teruel: First Republican bombing attack on Teruel a Vickers Vildebeest flying out of Manises air field drops 6 bombs. It flies additional missions over the next few days, occaisionally reinforced by Br XIXs..

La Guerra Aerea en el Alto Palancia (Span)

24-Jul-36 Italy: Mussolini promises arms and troops to the Spanish rebels. 5-Aug-36 Malraux forms the Escuadra Espana. 14 D.372s brought to Spain to serve with

Escuadra Espana and the 2nd Lafayette Sqdn. Most aircraft arrived unarmed, and were fitted with slow firing (400 rpm) Vickers 7.7mm MGs

French Aircraft Over Spain (Hist)

8-Aug-36 First 7 Po.540s arrive in Spain, forming the 1st International Squadron. The Usaramo arrives in (port?). 3 He-51s destroyed while training Spanish pilots. Remaining three then flown only by German pilots.

French Aircraft Over Spain (Hist) Kondor Legion in Spanish Skies

11-Aug-36 Spanish Morocco: First Italian CR.32s arrive in Mellila from Italy. They begin to fly up the coast and into Spain, eventually reaching Tablada airiport near Seville as a base.

15-Aug-36 Madrid: First D.372 shot down by Italian CR.32s shot one down near Madrid. Teruel: Continued raids by small flights of Republican Br.XIXs (2-3 aircraft per raid 6 raids between 15-30 Aug.

French Aircraft Over Spain (Dewoitines) La Guerra Aerea en el Alto Palancia (Span)

23-Aug-36 Madrid: 1st large Nationalist air raid: 8 Ju52s each carrying 1x 250 kg and 3-6 50 kg bombs escorted by 2 He51s attack Grotale air field near Madrid from 3000 m. Opposed only by AAA.

Teruel: 1st air-to-air combat in the area as two NiD.52 meet Angel Salas; Salas shoots one down.

Combat over Spain


25-Aug-36 Kondor Legion He51 fighters get first kill when "Hannes" Trautloft shot down a Breguet XIX recon biplane. Eberhardt downed a second Breguet during the same encounter. The following day saw Knppel and Eberhardt dispatch one Breguet each.

Kondor Legion in Spanish Skies

27-Aug-36 Sqdn leader Lieut. Antonio Haro Lpez intercepted and killed over Guadix by the Italian pilot Magistrini in a CR.32. Kondor Legion He51 downs a Nieuport fighter.

French Aircraft Over Spain (Dewoitines)

29-Aug-36 Kondor Legion He51 piloted by Eberhardt downs a Potez bomber (Po.540?) Kondor Legion in Spanish Skies

30-Aug-36 Knppel, Eberhardt and Trautloft each destroyed a Potez 54. Trautloft shot Kondor Legion in

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Historical Notes Western Europe: Spain

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down, sending the biplane into a spiral dive. He bails out at 8000 ft and is recovered.

Spanish Skies

31-Aug-36 Two CR.32s destroyed by D.372s of the Lafayette Squadron. A nationalist NiD.52 piloted by Capt. Miguel Garca Pardo downed an 11th Group from Getafe that was escorting a Potez 540.


10-Sep-36 Soviet technicians prepare Carmoli and Los Alcazares. 13-Sep-36 Two Ni-52 of the 2nd Sqdn shot down over Talavera by several Fiat CR.32

piloted by Italians from the "Aviacin del Tercio". French Aircraft Over Spain (2nd Lafayette Sqdn)

21-Sep-36 First Loire 46 combat (no damage either side). The a/c was well- liked by pilots, but its combat history is not especially bold: 2 shot down, 4 destroyed on the ground by the end of 1936.

French Aircraft Over Spain (Loire 46)

28-Sep-36 Kondor Legion suffers its first fatality, when a junior pilot crashes an He51 (2 left) into a church spire in Vitoria.


Sep-36 30 I-15s delivered to (Republican) eastern Spain, marking the first aid to the Republicans. Followed shortly by SB-2s, R-5s, and later I-16s. Russians also supplied volunteer air crew, who rotated in, gained experience, and rotated out. . The most active month for D.372s. (Their inferiority to CR.32s was beginning to show).

Red Falcons by Robert Jordan French Aircraft Over Spain (Dewoitines)

II-Oct-36 SB-2 first used. Could run at 250 mph at 16,500 ft & out-climb the CR.32. Kondor Legion reinforced with 6 more He51s (8 total) plus more Ju52s.

Red Falcons by Robert Jordan Kondor Legion in Spanish Skies

III-Oct-36 12 I-16s arrive at Bilboa and take up station. Red Falcons by Robert Jordan

27-Oct-36 Escuadra Espanas best mission: 3x Po.540s (2 vet, 1 reg) bomb the airfield at Talavera, where Francos staff was. Escorted by 3x D.372s. Intercepted but undamaged by enemy fighters near front lines during return.

French Aircraft Over Spain (Escuadra Espana)

Late Oct-36

200 Soviet pilots in Spain, including: 107th & 119th Sqdn (I-15s)

Red Falcons by Robert Jordan

5-Nov-36 107th & 119th Sqdn (I-15s) used in large formations. Red Falcons by Robert Jordan

18-Nov-36 Due to the victories of the leading pilots, 60 more He51s shipped to Spain and assembled, and were given to the Nationalist Spanish Air Force.


24-Nov-36 Cartagena bombed for 2 days. Kondor Legion in Spanish Skies

20-Jan-37 He70 shoots down an I-15. Kondor Legion in Spanish Skies

Mar-37 I-16s concentrated in 31 fighter Group (Grupo 31?). Of 1409 a/c supplied to Republican Spain by the Soviet Union (of 1947 a/c supplied by outside nations), 475 were I-16s. KGr88 attacks Republican airfields at Alcala and Barajas (Madrid).

Polikarpov I-16 on Aviation History (Book on German DBs)

3-Mar-37 KGr88s 3 flights are 4x He111s, 4x Ju86D, 4x Do17E-1 all attack Jarinto. Its successful enough that 20 more Do17Es are flown in; in summer, becomes 2 sqdns of KGr.88.

Air War: Do.17E (Russian)

16-Mar-37 He51s (and a single He112) destroy an armored train flying out of Almorox. Kondor Legion in

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Spanish Skies 26-Apr-37 Northeast Spain: With the Basque Front threatening to collapse, Kondor Legion

bombers are dispatched to destroy the Guernica railroad station. Instead, they bomb the whole town, bombing blind through the dust, killing


Jun-37 The Republicans form the 71st Coastal Defense Group, with Dewoitine fighters part of its first squadron. Its mission was to patrol from El Carmol, La Aparecida, La Rabasada, Castelln, Reus and Baolas airfields. Breakdowns and accidents were frequent, but there was only one loss: Sgt. Antonio Bocquer Morata was killed when his D.371 crashed 31-Dec-38.


Jul-37 Brunete: The Battle of Brunete features large air battles of clashes of patrolling fighters

(Book on German DBs)

I-Jul-37 Brunete: During the first week of July 1937, the German Condor Legion launched a spectacular coordinated attack on Spanish Republican forces. Bf-109B fighters flew top cover for He-111s which attacked both strategic and tactical targets. He-51 biplanes barreled in below 500 feet, strafing and bombing troops and anti-aircraft batteries. The biplanes came in waves of nine-across, wingtip to wingtip, each carrying six 10-kg fragmentation bombs and dropping them together. The resulting carnage demolished the morale of the surviving troops. So effective was the onslaught that by the time the Heinkels completed their runs, the attacking Spanish Nationalist troops were within hand grenade range of the Republican defenders.


1-Jul-37 Toledo: Escuadrilla 1/26 sent 12 I-15s to patrol the Avila road. Near Toledo, they were met by an equal number of CR.32s. The Natinalists claimed 6 shot down, the others driven off.

Soviet Biplane Aces Yakushin

6-Jul-37 Brunete: At dawn on 6 July 1937 escuadrilla 1/26 was flying over the North Railroad Station in Madrid when they saw a group of He-51 flying towards them. Unexpectedly the He-51s were attacked by ten I-16 from 1\21 escuadrilla. Three He-51 were shot down over the Queens Bridge. The I-16s and I-15s joined to patrol over Boadilla against a group of Do-17 bombers. Two Do-17s were shot down, one pilot captured by the Republicans. During his interrogation, he said he was an advisor to Himmler. In the evening 19 squadrons (10 Fiats CR.32) from group Asso di Bastoni attacked 12 I-15s from 1/26 come back from reconnaissance. 2 Fiats were shot down, 3 others crash-landed.

Petrovich: Yugoslav Ace of Spanish War

7-Jul-37 Madrid: In the early morning Kaptain Ivan Yeremenko took his escuadrilla and fly towards Madrid to join with Lakeyev's escuadrilla in the air. Meanwhile the escuadrilla of Aleksandr Minayev was flying over the front line. The antiaircraft defence opened fire upon the Republican fighters over the Delicias railroad station. Fiat CR.32s appeared from the Princess Bridge side. Dogfights began over the Delicias railroad station and Andalusia Bridge. A group of Ju52/3ms and Do17s appeared from the western side and Minayev's escuadrilla flew to intercept the bombers but Fiats attacked the l-l5s and dispersed them. Jose Redondo (Spanish I-15 pilot), was wounded and L. Rybkin shielded him, but both were forced to fight nine Fiats. Two Fiats collided and were set on fire. Rybkin and Redondo joined with M. Petrov and I. Karpov. At that moment Yakushin, Yeremenko, and Anatoly Serov attacked the leading group of Fiats from above. One Fiat was shot down, pilot bailed out. Pilots of 1-15s and 1-16s saw four Bf-109s in the area, but none attacked the Republican fighters. Austrian Walter Korrows I-15 was shot down by a Fiat. Yakushin attacked this Fiat and destroyed it in the air. Serov claimed two CR.32s. The Fiat CR.32s involved in this combat were from 23o Gruppo led by

Soviet Biplane Aces Yakushin

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Maggiore Zotti; they claimed three l-l5s and three 1-16s for the loss of two Fiats - Gino Passeri (killed) and Alfonso Mattel (parachuted safely).

9-Jul-37 Brunete: Petrovich shot down a Bf-109B in an air battle over Avilla. This was his 5th victory and he became an ace. (Some sources credit the kill to both Bozhko and Ptukhin attacked a Bf-109 and shot it down.)


12-Jul-37 Brunete: Morning: a flight of I-15s (Vet, Reg, Reg/Ace) was ordered to intercept an He-111B long-range recon flying over the Sierra de Guadarrama mountains. It was shot down by Petrovich. While flying back, the I-15s were attacked by two Fiats that appeared unexpectedly over Soto aerodrome. One Fiat attacked Petrovichs Chato and damaged it. However, a few minutes later this Fiat was shot down by the other wingman almost over the landing strip. Evening: Nationalist bombers were making a bombing raid over the Brunete-Boadilla road on which the 13th and 15th International Brigades were on the offensive. An escuadrilla of I-15s (Yeryomenko with Kuznetsov and Karpov as wingman, Rybkin, Serov, Sorokin, Petrovich and Baumler) attacked the bombers over the Mosquito and Rommanillas hills. Six escorting Fiats attack Yeryomenkos flight but one Fiat was shot down by Kuznetsov and another Bozhko. Then, unexpectedly, Bozhko apparently lost control of his aircraft and crashed. The pilot perished, the only ace in the history of the Yugoslav Air Force..


18-Jul-37 Sagunto: Decommissioned AV Dedalo sunk by German aircraft at Sagunto. World Aircraft Carrier Lists: Spain

25-Jul-37 Madrid: In response to Nationalist (Kondor Legion) night raids, a small cadre of Soviet pilots begin to fly night patrols in I-15s. Their first night, they drive off a 3 engine bomber. The next two nights they shoot down 2 Ju52s

Soviet Biplane Aces Anatoly Serov

Aug-37 22 Aero A-101s captured at sea put into use by Nationalist AF as Grupo 17. 65 Sqda of the Avionze Legionaria formed, equipped with single-seat Ba.65s. Santander: Nationalists concentrate airpower in the north, destroying most of 4 republican fighter squadrons during campaign..

Red Falcons by Robert Jordan (Ba.65 web site) (Book on German DBs)

Sep-37 Capt. Salas becomes commander of 2-G-3. WWII Ace Stories: Salas - A Fighter Ace in Two Wars

Oct-37 Final northern Nationalist offensive. Do17F-1 combat tested in Spain.

(Book on German DBs) Do17F-1 info

15-Oct-37 A ground strike on Garapinilios airfield, Zaragoza. Taking part in the attack was following units and aircraft:

Unit A/C Base Commander 1a/Gr. 26 twelve I-15s Bujaraloz Antonov 2a/Gr. 26 nine I-15s Sariena Aleksandr(?) Smirnov

(mixed Spanish / Russian Escuadrilla)

1a/Gr. 21 six I-16s Caspe Aguirre 2a/Gr. 21 ten I-16s Caspe Pleshchenko 3a/Gr. 21 nine I-16s Hijar (Boris) Smirnov 5a/Gr. 21 seven I-16s Escatrn Ivanov

Soviet Biplane Fighter Aces Stepanov

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6a/Gr. 21 eleven I-16s Puig Moreo Gusev The I-15s strafed and bombed with the I-16s providing air cover. About 60 planes claimed, but the real losses were only three Ju52s, six CR.32s and three He46s. Other aircraft were damaged by fire. The Republican aircraft only suffered one damaged I-15

28-Oct-37 At 03:00 hrs three S.81s of the 251a Squadriglia, XXV Gruppo BN. took off from Alcudia to bomb the airport of Sabadell. The formation leader Capitano Nicola Ruggeri would drop his war-load first, so that the fires caused by his incendiary bombs would allow the other two aircraft carrying 15kg bombs, to choose the best targets. Reaching their target at 700 meters, the tri-motors were met by the MG AA fire placed on the hills south-west of the airfield, and then by an I-15 flown by Starshiy Leytenant Stepanov. Stepanov (supported by another I-15). Stepanov shot down the second aircraft, flown by Tenente Ezio Maccani, He then tried to ram the third S.81 with the left leg of his I-15s undercarriage. The S.81, which was badly hit, manage however to keep contact with his leader. The two diverted to the secondary target, the explosive factory of Badalona, which they bombed at 04:35.

Soviet Biplane Fighter Aces Stepanov

Dec-37 Teruel: Battle of Teruel begins; lasts through Feb-38. 3 Ju87A-1s sent to Spain and used in locations where little fighter activity expected. 1 lost to ground fire.

(Book on German DBs)

30-Dec-37 Teruel: Ba65s of 65 Sqda Assalto attacks Republican tanks and troops with bombs and MGs

Biplane Aces of WW2: Ranieri Piccolomini

7-Feb-38 Oblt. Wilhelm Balthasar of 2./J88 claimed four SB-2s in 6 minutes while flying a Bf109B-1.

WWII Ace Stories: Salas - A Fighter Ace in Two Wars

22-Feb-38 Almirante Cervera (CL) bombed by Republican bombers and badly damaged. Principe Alfonso class Operational History

Mar-38 Ebro: Do17F shot down by AAA. Air War: Do.17E (Rus)

12-Mar-38 During the Aragn offensive, 2-G-3 encountered enemy aircraft attempting to stop the sweeping advance. During the afternoon eighteen Fiat CR.32, led by Commander ngel Salas Larrazbal, escorted Ju52s on a raid, and then made a sweep of the front as far as Hjar, where they encountered twenty Chatos. In the ensuing dogfights, Salas claimed one probable, while Garcia Pardo destroyed one Chato, which fell near Hjar. Guerrero set fire to another Chato, whose pilot bailed out at very low height. Salvador attacked another machine, which began to trail smoke, but he was unable to continue his attack as his Fiat was almost out of fuel; unable to return to his base at Tauste, he had to land at Saragossa. Carlos Serra, Carlos Bayo Alessandri and De Hemricourt each were successful in shooting down an enemy machine.

Biplane Aces of WW2: De Hemricourt De Grunne

11-May-38 A patrol of I-16s Tipo 10s of 3/21 (Republicans) commanded by the Mexican Tarazona Toran was scrambled from Nules in the evening and intercepted a patrol (4) of Bf109Bs, claiming 1 shot down in the Espadan mountains; the Kondor Legion claimed one I-16 downed.


31-May-38 8 CR.32 of (Nationalist) 2-G-3 took off in company with Captain Murcias squadron (3-G-3) to escort a number of Ju52s and Ro.37s over the Puebla de Valverde sector.

On arrival they encountered 25 Chatos and ten Ratas. Combat began immediately but the Nationalists protected the bombers, which, their task


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Historical Notes Western Europe: Battle of Britain (Night)

26-Feb-07 Page 8

completed, made good their escape.

Eight I-15s and two I-16s were claimed shot down without losses. The successful pilots were De Hemricourt (I-15), Salvador (2 I-15s and 1 I-16), Simon (I-15), Vzques (I-15), Murcia (2 I-15s) and Meurza (I-16).

During this combat Commander ngel Salas was attacking a Chato when three enemy fighters in turn attacked him. His Fiat was hit several times before he managed to break away from the attack, but his machine was vibrating so badly that he had to return to base.

18-Apr-38 Cartagena: Libertad (CL) bombed and damaged by Nationalist bombers. Principe Alfonso class Operational History

15-Jun-38 Valencia: Republican gunboat Laya sunk by Nationalist aircraft. Spanish Navy

19-Jun-38 10 Fiats of 2-G-3 took off at 18:00 led by Commander ngel Salas to escort Ju52s bombing Puebla de Valverde. They encountered a formation of 18 Chatos, which they chased as far as Alcublas, where nine Ratas joined the fray. Salas dived over the Chatos to attack, but was unable to fire his guns because a leak had emptied his compressed air bottle. He continued to make dummy attacks, being hit five times by the Ratas, one bullet puncturing the coolant radiator. Salvador enjoyed better luck, destroying two Chatos, one of which exploded in the air, the other following in flames. He then had to retire with an overheating engine. Garca Pardo effectively removed a Rata from the tail of Aristides Fiat by shooting it down. De Hemricourt downed a Chato near Alcublas, then a Rata to the north of Villar del Arzobispo. Esteban Ibarreche fired at a Chato close to the ground; it separated from the formation and fell near to Higueruela. Ansaldo had to return to base when an engine cowling parted company from his Fiat.

Belgian Biplane Fighter Aces - PO Count Rodolphe Ghislain Charles De Hemricourt De Grunne

16-Jul-38 3 Ba65s destroyed the Asc Bridge over the Ebro with 100 kg bombs. Two hours later six Ba.65s were back to strafe roads around the bridge, one shot down and crash-landed near Gandesa, pilot suffering only minor wounds.

Biplane Aces of WW2: Ranieri Piccolomini

5-Aug-38 Ebro: A Do17F is shot by AAA down and crashes in the Ebro Air War: Do.17E (Rus)

14-Aug-38 2-G-3 CR.32s attack Ratas which had been chasing He111s over Gandesa. Other Ratas and Chatos joined in. 5 Ratas claimed for 1 Fiat downed. Republicans admit 1 Rata lost. Additional aircraft joined in; Republicans claimed that 3 sqdns (1st, 3rd & 4th) fought 90 nationalist aircraft, including Bf109s (7), He111s (27), He51s, and Fiat Cr.32s (2 sqdns),


2-Sep-38 Battle of the Ebro: Capt. Salas in a single pass shot-down 3 SB-2 bombers of the 4o.Escuadrilla de Katiuskas of Grupo 24 and one Polikarpov I-16 of the 1 Escuadrilla de Moscas; it pilot bailed out.

WWII Ace Stories: Salas - A Fighter Ace in Two Wars

Nov-38 5 Ju87B sent to Spain for combat evaluation. (book on German DBs)

28-Mar-39 Madrid: The Nationalists capture Madrid, ending the Spanish Civil War.

Western Europe: Battle of Britain (Night) Sep-37 Rawnsley joins No. 604 Sqdn (reserve) in Hendon as mechanic Night Fighter by

Rawnsley Aug-38 Rawnsley becomes Gunner. No. 604 Sqdn called up briefly for Czech Crisis. Night Fighter by

Rawnsley Aug-39 German Zeppelin with observation car dropped flies along English coast 100

miles out to sea, with electronic ears on. They were looking for English radar Radar: A Wartime Miracle

http://www.dalnet.se/~surfcity/spain_salas.htmhttp://www.warship.get.net.pl/Hiszpania/Cruisers/CL_1927_Principe_Alfonso_class/_Principe_Alfonso_history.htmlhttp://www.warship.get.net.pl/Hiszpania/Cruisers/CL_1927_Principe_Alfonso_class/_Principe_Alfonso_history.htmlhttp://www.warship.get.net.pl/Hiszpania/Cruisers/CL_1927_Principe_Alfonso_class/_Principe_Alfonso_history.htmlhttp://www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk/spanish_navy.htmhttp://www.dalnet.se/~surfcity/spain_salas.htmhttp://www.dalnet.se/~surfcity/spain_salas.htmhttp://www.dalnet.se/~surfcity/spain_ibarreche.htmhttp://www.dalnet.se/~surfcity/belgium_dehemricourt.htmhttp://www.dalnet.se/~surfcity/belgium_dehemricourt.htmhttp://www.dalnet.se/~surfcity/belgium_dehemricourt.htmhttp://www.dalnet.se/~surfcity/belgium_dehemricourt.htmhttp://www.dalnet.se/~surfcity/belgium_dehemricourt.htmhttp://www.dalnet.se/~surfcity/belgium_dehemricourt.htmhttp://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/italy_piccolomini.htmhttp://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/italy_piccolomini.htmhttp://airwar.ru/enc/bww2/do17e.htmlhttp://www.dalnet.se/~surfcity/belgium_dehemricourt.htmhttp://www.dalnet.se/~surfcity/belgium_dehemricourt.htmhttp://www.dalnet.se/~surfcity/belgium_dehemricourt.htmhttp://www.elknet.pl/acestory/larrazabal/larrazabal.htmhttp://www.elknet.pl/acestory/larrazabal/larrazabal.htmhttp://www.elknet.pl/acestory/larrazabal/larrazabal.htm


26-Feb-07 Page 9

locations, but only received a constant hum all along the route (since Chain Home was in place all along the route). The Germans assumed that the RAF did not have radar, since they could identify no stations.

24-Aug-39 No. 604 Sqdn called up. Sqdn moves to North Weald, Essex, armed with Blenheim Is. No real activity until May 1940. Sqdn does both day and night work. Rawnsley paired with Cunningham.

Night Fighter by Rawnsley

Sep-39/ Jul-40

Nothing better than flying at night (Luftwaffe bomber's perspective). Chain Home sometimes gave a high reading, up to 1,000 ft off.

Battle of Britain by Len Deighton

8-Oct-39 RAF Lockheed Hudson of No.224 Squadron, operating out of Leuchars, shoots down a German Dornier Do18 flying boat of 2/Kstenfliegergruppe 506. First victory recorded in WW2 for a US-built aircraft and is the first German aircraft to be destroyed by a Royal Air Force aircraft operating from Britain.

British Military Aviation in 1939

16-Oct-39 12 Ju88As of KG.100 raid Rosyth dockyards, under strict orders to not bomb land. 1 cruiser damaged. Attacked by No. 602 Sqdn (Spitfires) and No. 603 Sqdn (Gladiators). 4 Ju88A shot down. One of these carrying the X-Gert that the Brits captured? British warships at Rosyth in the Firth of Forth attacked by Ju88s of KG30 flying from Westerland. 3 Ju88s shot down by Spitfires of No. 602 Aux Sqdn.

Johnstones book Weapons of Darkness by Price British Military Aviation in 1939

17-Oct-39 Two Luftwaffe air raids take place on warships at Scapa Flow. The first enemy bombs to explode on British soil land on the Island of Hoy in the Orkneys.


28-Oct-39 Supermarine Spitfires of No.602 (County of Glasgow) and No.603 (County of Edinburgh) Squadrons bring down a Heinkel He111 of Stab/Kampfgeschwader 26 near Haddington in Lothian. This is the first enemy aircraft to be brought down on mainland Britain during the Second World War.


20-Nov-39 Harwich: He115Bs begin to (help) lay mines in English waters. WarMachine 118 Jan-40 No. 604 Sqdn moved to Northolt. Night Fighter by

Rawnsley 15-May-40 No. 604 Sqdn moved to Manston on North Foreland. Night Fighter by

Rawnsley 31-May-40 No. 826 Sqdn (Albacores) attacks E-boat 18-Jun-40 No. 604 Sqdn gets its first kill at 16000 ft on a clear moonlit night. At 14,000 ft

was an He115. Radar (just Chain Home) generally not good enough to provide full night intercept.


Jul-40 Brits introduce Blenheim IF w/ AI Mk III. Loads a/c. Battle of Britain by Len Deighton

22-Jul-40 FO G. Ashfield, pilot, and Sgt RH Leyland, RO, destroy Do17 over Ford. Luckily, they were perfectly positioned by chance w/ AI MK. III.


29-Jul-40 No. 604 Sqdn to Middle Wallop. Some a/c fitted with AI Mk III Night Fighter by Rawnsley

31-Aug-40 No. 604 Sqdn has unsuccessful intercept at beginning of night blitz. Night Fighter by Rawnsley

Nov-40 Havoc I w/ Turbinlite & AI Mk IV spotting for Hurricanes (of No.85 Sqdn). Beaufighter IF w/ AI Mk IV introduced. Brits propose 6 techniques for nightfighting: 1. Fixed patrol lines 2. GCI overland control - using data from the Observer Corps 3. GCI seaward control - using Chain Home radar 4. Predicted coast-in point defense 5. AI aircraft w/ searchlights (Turbinlite) 6. A/C w/neam receivers to fly up German navigational beams to intercept. Night Fighters being sent after KGr.100 He111 pathfinders using X-Gert.

Battle of Britain by Len Deighton Nightfighter: Battle for the Night Skies by Kevin Delve Night Fighter by

http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/milestones-of-flight/british_military/1939_3.htmlhttp://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/milestones-of-flight/british_military/1939_3.htmlhttp://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/milestones-of-flight/british_military/1939_3.htmlhttp://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/milestones-of-flight/british_military/1939_3.htmlhttp://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/milestones-of-flight/british_military/1939_3.htmlhttp://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/milestones-of-flight/british_military/1939_3.htmlhttp://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/milestones-of-flight/british_military/1939_3.htmlhttp://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/milestones-of-flight/british_military/1939_3.html


26-Feb-07 Page 10

Many get through. Rawnsley 11-Nov-40 Nearly 100 fighters (42 CR.42, 46 G.50, + 109s) escort 10 BR.20Ms 3 3x250 kg

bombs to Harwich. Shortly after TO, the 109s and G.50s turned back. The attack approached Harwich at 14:40 hrs at 3700m. The RAF scrambled Hurricanes from No. 17 and 277 Sqdns well in advance, and added some from No.46. 10 miles off Harwich, No. 257 attacked from the north, 15.0 diving down to 12.0. At the same time, 6 a/c from No. 46 attacked form the South. They were hit from above by CR.42s. The RAF claimed 9 bombers and 5 fighters destroyed - actual was 3 and 3; Italians claimed 9 Hurricanes; actually, 2 were slightly damaged.

12-Jan-41 Rawnsley's first kill. Night Fighter by Rawnsley

Spring-41 Day battle dies off. Continues as Night Blitz Night Fighter by Rawnsley

Spring-41 It's Never in the Papers Off the Dutch coast, 1 Stirling vs. small tanker with medium flak, attacking from fairly low. Pilot gets mad (due to flak), and makes several strafing runs after bombs all gone.

War in the Air

Apr-41 Bombing England He111 at night to Barrow, Furness to bomb a shipyard. Armed with 1 500 kg, 4x 100 kg (250 lbrs?), and some small incendiary canisters. Flew at 4000 m. over the North Sea from Lille. Turned west and flew through cloud cover over England to Irish Sea. Could not spot Furness after three circles around a wide bay (Solway); gave up, turned south for Liverpool and found Barrow 10 minutes later. Lots of SLs and AAA from earlier bombers; also a fire. Dropped bombs in the midst of the fire and left.

Bombs Away!

May-41 Updated AI equipment installed. Buggy at first. Night Fighter by Rawnsley

2-May-41 Bombing England He111 at night to Dumbarton shipyard in the Firth of Clyde. Start late evening from Lille north to Texel, then north some 150 miles east of England over the North Sea at 4000 m. at 300 kph. 1 hour into the flight, turned west over the Cheviot Hills near Glasgow. Soon, lots of SLs and Heavy clouds of smoke. Dumbarton itself was clear and visible in the moonlight. Dropped, then North and back over empty Scotland to the North Sea.

Bombs Away!

Jun-41 Most of Luftwaffe goes East to Russia. Cunningham appointed commander of No.604 Sqdn.


Jul-41 NFs trying to deal with Night Intruders (He111s and Ju88s). No. 604 Sqdn sent to Norwich while No.255 Sqdn works up with AI.


Sep-41 Mosquito NF.II with AI. Mk IV being worked up. Night Fighter by Rawnsley

Nov-41 Conference to standardize AI training. Found there is not much standardization. Night Fighter by Rawnsley

Winter 41/42

Generally quiet. Germans mostly away at Russia, small Brit outgoing raids. Night Fighter by Rawnsley

5-Feb-42 North Sea: No. 133 Sqdn, flying Spits over the North Sea, scores its first kill when intercepting several Do217s during CAP over a convoy.

336th Fighter Sqdn history

Apr-42 Sqdn No. 604 used as "all-weather" interceptors in poor spring weather. AI was fine, but windows iced up. No accurate shooting was possible.


23-May-42 Cunningham and Rawnsley (Beau IF) vs. Hpt. Langer of "proving unit" of KGr.100 (He111H). Beau starts 100 yds behind & in sight. Roll each turn for sighting Beau. Start @ 5000 ft.


Jun-42 Updated Beau VIF? W/ AI MkVII. Narrow beam, but could see below 5,000 ft. Night Fighter by Rawnsley

http://www.f-15estrikeeagle.com/facts/units/336fs.htmhttp://www.f-15estrikeeagle.com/facts/units/336fs.htmhttp://www.f-15estrikeeagle.com/facts/units/336fs.htmhttp://www.f-15estrikeeagle.com/facts/units/336fs.htm


26-Feb-07 Page 11

Jul-42 to Jan-43

Rawnsley with Group 81 Staff, working up AI training. Night Fighter by Rawnsley

7-Sep-42 No. 71, No. 121 and No. 133 Sqdn becomes USAAFs 334th, 335th, and 336th Fighter Sqdns, comprising the 4th Fighter Group, 8th AF, keeping their Spit VBs. Instantly becomes the USAAFs most experienced sqdns and Group. They are immediately put to work as escorts for small raids and running patrols (Rhubarbs, Rodeos, and Circuses) over the Channel and France.

AAHS No. 23 Vol 4: Boise Bee.

Feb 43 Posted to No. 85 Sqdn at Hunsdon N. Weale. Mossie IIF w/ AI Mk V. Sqdn needed lots of training up. 4th FG transitions to P-47s. Many pilots missed the maneuverability of the Spits.

Night Fighter by Rawnsley AAHS No. 23 Vol 4: Boise Bee.

Mar-43 Visited by Beau VIF w/ AI MkVIII Night Fighter by Rawnsley

Mar-43 to Apr-43

Assigned Mossie XV (modified to extra light, with wider wings and no cannon) to hunt for high alt Ju86P at 43,000 ft over England. 10,000ft in 2 minutes, 28,000 ft in 10 minutes. Pressure Cabin. Ju86Ps started in Dec-42 at nearly 50,000 ft. 3rd chased off by special Spit II.


Apr-43 FW190 FBs used as intruders. Night Fighter by Rawnsley

16-Apr-43 FW190s first used as night intruders. 4 of 13 get lost or crash land in Kent. Not a good start.

New Zealanders with the RAF (Chap 8)

May-43 No 85 Sqdn to West Malling. Raids by 217s and Ju88As step up. AI MkX displayed. Raiders try height, flying in at 30,000 ft.


9-May-43 A Ju88C-8 defects to England, landing in Aberdeen, delivering a Lichtenstein AI radar.

Instruments of Darkness by Price

Jun-43 to Jul-43

Raids stay small. Luftwaffe takes 20% losses. Raiders are FW190s, Me410s (which look like Mossies), Ju88As, Do217s. a/c issued Rose night glasses to ID targets after near shootdowns of Mossies.


12-Jun-43 German night raiders hit Plymouth. Remembering the 1st Fight Against Fascism

9-Aug-43 Up at night, 3 contacts were friendly a/c. Night Fighter by Rawnsley

22-Aug-43 Chased a FW190 at 17000 ft at level max down to 2000 ft at level Max. Night Fighter by Rawnsley

Oct-43 No. 85 Sqdn get AI MkX. Buggy at first. Wider than MkVIII (180 cone). Not fully operational until Dec-43. RAF suspects Luftwaffe has tailing Radar Warning system (Neptun Gert) - ~20 cone.


30-Oct-43 3 USN VPB sqdns (103, 105, and 110) operating out of St. Eval in PB4Y-1s under RAF Coastal Command (Grp 19). Used for ASW/Anti-shipping patrols.

VPB 110 History (pg 16)

24-Dec-43 A flotilla of 12 German destroyers & TBs escort the blockade runner Orsono (6951 BRT). Noticed by CC and USN (PB4Y-1) patrols. Several missions were run against the enemy ships over a period of five days. Several a/c shot up, including US VPBs, & various Sunderlands (from No. 201, 422 RCAF, and 461 RAAF were attacked by Ju88s & AAA).

VPB 110 History (pg 17)

Jan-44 Still using older Mossies w/ AI MkVII, w/ NO2 boost. Start phasing in new Mossies.


21-Jan-44 Biggest raid since 40-41: 200+ raiders in 2 waves. 1st = FW190s and Me410s w/ dppel (chaff) 2nd = Ju88s, Ju188s, Do217s.

Brit NJs on their own, and cooperation with searchlight units.


Feb-44 US 422nd NFS transferred to England. First US NFS in ETO armed with P-61. US Army Air

http://www.nzetc.org/etexts/WH2-2RAF/c8.htmlhttp://www.nzetc.org/etexts/WH2-2RAF/c8.htmlhttp://www.nzetc.org/etexts/WH2-2RAF/c8.htmlhttp://www.bartcop.com/430614.htm#Day12http://www.bartcop.com/430614.htm#Day12http://www.bartcop.com/430614.htm#Day12http://www.bartcop.com/430614.htm#Day12http://www.bartcop.com/430614.htm#Day12http://www.history.navy.mil/avh-vol2/chap4-5.pdf/http://www.history.navy.mil/avh-vol2/chap4-5.pdf/


26-Feb-07 Page 12

Joined by 423rd (which became a Night photo Recon) and 425th NFS. Trained up, and used vs V-1s (422nd claimed 5; 425th claimed 4) before invasion in June.

Forces in WW2: Nightfighters

Mar-44 Cunningham posted to Grp Capt, No.11 group, Staff for NFs. Rawnsley to Ford FIU (radar development)


May-44 J-Watch notes the 1st and only case of German aerial jamming Radar: A Wartime Miracle

13-Jul-44 Ju88 nightfighter accidently lands at Woodbridge (tyhinking himself over France. This gives the RAF technical branch a working SN-2 Lichtenstein radar, allowing Serrate III to have the data to be effective against that radar.

History of Serrate

4-Mar-45 Operation Gisela: Unternehmen (Operation) Gisela, sent 142 Ju88G nightfighters of the Luftwaffe NachtJag Gruppen to intercept the allied bombers returning to base at their most vulnerable point, just before landing. The marauding aircraft crossed the North Sea at extremely low altitude at points between the Thames Estuary and up the east coast to the North Yorkshire moors. That these intruders were able to cross the North Sea coast without being picked up by English radar operators seems to indicate a degree of complacency had set in amongst ADGB, as the Luftwaffe appeared to be subdued. The BC mission scheduled for that evening was a dual attack on the synthetic oil plant at Kamen and a raid on the Dortmund Elms canal. 234 aircraft from the northern 4 & 6 Groups took on the first mission, with 222 bombers from 5 Group, Lincolnshire, tackling the canal, departing bases at around 10.00pm on 3-Mar-45. The mission ran smoothly, until the return, when they ran into the intruders. On this clear night, some of the early returning aircraft had inexplicably switched on their navigation lights much earlier than usual, despite warnings of the dangers of possible predators, which was copied by those following. This gave the circling intruders a clear, enticing target. Having already claimed two Halifax Bombers of 158 Squadron returning to RAF Lissett, near Bridlington, Hauptmann Johann Dreher (Iron Cross) flying his JU88 of 12 NJG, set his sights on a French 347 Squadron Halifax, returning to RAF Elvington. At approximately 1.50am as Capitaine Notelle approached Elvington, he received the warning of the attack, just as the airfield lights went out. He pulled his aircraft up and headed north for Croft, narrowly escaping. The nightfighter continued its attack on Elvington, strafing the road at a passing taxi. Circling for another pass at 1.51am, the JU88 was too low, clipped a tree and crashed into Dunnington Lodge, a farmhouse on the outskirts of the airfield. Machine gun fire from the fighter had strafed the farmhouse, before the aircraft crashed through one section of the building. The JU88 ended up in a field at the junction of the Elvington and Dunnington roads. This was the last German aircraft to crash on British soil during the war, preceded by a 7 NJG JU88 crashing at Welton, near Lincoln at 1.48am and 5 NJG JU88 crashing near Halesworth, Suffolk, at 01.37am. Three French Halifaxes were brought down that morning, though with miraculously few casualties. On route to Croft in escaping the trap at Elvington, Notelles Halifax was hit three times by fire from another JU88 before successfully belly-landing the burning aircraft at Rockcliffe Farm, Hurworth, near Darlington. Notelle was treated at hospital at Northallerton for a head injury. Sous-Lt Terrien, remaining at the controls of his burning Halifax whilst the other six baled out, crashed at Glebe Farm, Sutton on Derwent, close to the Elvington base. In a tragic irony, Capitaine Laucou, on his first mission, was brought down near Orford Ness, Norfolk. Both he and the flight engineer were killed, but the others baled out. Intervention by Mosquito fighters brought this disastrous Night of the Intruders to an end, but, in just a couple of hours, Bomber Command had lost 24 aircraft in addition to the 9 reported missing on the raids themselves. The Luftwaffe also lost 21 fighters out of the 142 involved in the operation.

Online Discussion mentioning Operation Gisela

http://permanent.access.gpo.gov/lps51153/airforcehistory/usaaf/ww2/night/nightpg8.htmhttp://permanent.access.gpo.gov/lps51153/airforcehistory/usaaf/ww2/night/nightpg8.htmhttp://www.lancaster-archive.com/bc-Serrate.htmlhttp://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=49144http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=49144http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=49144

Historical Notes Western Europe: Norway & Arctic

26-Feb-07 Page 13

Western Europe: Norway & Arctic 9-Apr-40 Germany invades Norway by sea and by air. 5 Norwegian Gladiator IIs (Lt

Tradin, 2Lt Thorsager, Lt Krohn, Sgt Wadler, Sgt Schye, Lt Branthon; 2 forced back to ground w/bad engines) vs. ~ 70 bombers and transports, followed by 80 more. Gladiators at 5500 ft, Luftwaffe at 3500 ft. Luftwaffe was Ju52s of II/KGzbV1 & KGzvV103, escorted by 2 sqdns Bf110s of ZG.76 (1 to Oslo, 1 to Stavanger); later group included He111s and Do17s.

Online piece about Gladiators

10-Apr-40 1608 hrs

(London)

1820 hrs (London)

3 No. 254 Sqdn Blenheim IVF (Flight Lt. Mitchell) were sent at 1415 t/o to attack aircraft at Stavanger-Sola airfield. They encountered thick cloud at the coast, and lost formation. 1 a/c (Sgt Rose) strafed the airfield in a dive attack from 4,000 feet to 100 feet firing 2,000 rounds and claimed 2 a/c destroyed, 1 fuel truck on fire, and at the seaplane base 5 seaplanes hit. Luftwaffe losses were 2 Junkers Ju52 transports from K.G.z.b.v. 107- one 100% and one 60% damaged. Six Bf110C-1 from I/Z.G.76 were seen taking off to intercept. Lots of light MG fire encountered wounded the pilot and damaged the undercarriage. On the return, Roses Blenheim at 58.30N 01.08E encountered a II/KG26 He111 returning from an attack at Scapa Flow. The He111 was 60% damaged and crash-landed at Stavanger-Sola where it was a complete loss. Roses aircraft was hit by return fire. When Rose landed at Lossiemouth his undercarriage collapsed and the plane became unserviceable.

No. 254 Sqdn history

11-Apr-40 Coastal Command Strike Orders: 5 Wellingtons from Lossiemouth sent to attack the reported German transport Levante supported by two Blenheims (Levante originally located at 0925 by a No. 201 Sqdn Saro London from Sullom Voe). Six Wellingtons from Lossiemouth were to rendezvous with two Blenheim fighters from Bircham Newton at Stavanger and attack the airfield at Stavanger-Sola


1430 to 2030 hrs

5 Vickers Wellington IA from No. 9 Sqdn CC at Lossiemouth searched for the 4770-ton German merchant vessel S/S Levante (carrying aircraft fuel, antiaircraft weapons, and 10.5 cm coastal guns- arrived 13-Apr at Trondheim) north of Bergen unsuccessfully.


1730 hrs Two 254 Sqdn Bristol Blenheim IVF (FO Shawe and PO Illingworth) attacked from 1,500 to 500 feet the Norwegian minesweeper Dristig (Vpl.Ltn. F.Trjesen- 2.Minesveiperdivisjon) with machine-guns in snow and rain showers in Hjeltefjorden (between Fedje and Rady islands). Light flack- one dead (Trjesen- commander) and the ship was damaged and disabled.


1946 hrs (London)

Two 254 Sqdn Blenheim IVF (FO Bain and Sergeant A.W.Tubbs) flew out of Bircham Newton to rendezvous with the 6 Wellingtons at Stavanger-Sola and then escort them back to 18 Group. After reconnoitering the Stavanger area in heavy 10/10 clouds from 3,000 feet, Bain decided not to wait for the Wellingtons and immediately attack. Both Blenheims approached formation abreast from the SE at 2,500 feet, using MGs in a steep dive. Light flak and machine-guns returned their fire immediately. The Blenheims dove to 100 feet, strafing parked aircraft and personnel, then climbed to 500 feet to fly over a bluff.


12-Apr-40 In support of hunting the reported Scharnhorst and Gneisenau off southern Norway, 9 Wellingtons with 2 254 Sqdn Blenheim escorts t/o Lossiemouth but met rain, sleet and low clouds. They thus spread out their formation to search. One Wellington No. 9 shot down- lost. The Blenheims had no contact with enemy forces.


13-Apr-40 Coastal Command sent a series of attacks on Stavanger-Sola airfield of one or two Hudsons each. One attack was more organized and included apparent coordination with Blenheim fighters from 254 Sqdn and two Hudsons from 233 Sqdn were to coordinate an attack on Sola. The two types were ordered to attack


http://www2.bc.edu/~emerypa/254/history.htmlhttp://www2.bc.edu/~emerypa/254/history.htmlhttp://www2.bc.edu/~emerypa/254/history.htmlhttp://www2.bc.edu/~emerypa/254/history.htmlhttp://www2.bc.edu/~emerypa/254/history.htmlhttp://www2.bc.edu/~emerypa/254/history.htmlhttp://www2.bc.edu/~emerypa/254/history.htmlhttp://www2.bc.edu/~emerypa/254/history.htmlhttp://www2.bc.edu/~emerypa/254/history.htmlhttp://www2.bc.edu/~emerypa/254/history.htmlhttp://www2.bc.edu/~emerypa/254/history.htmlhttp://www2.bc.edu/~emerypa/254/history.htmlhttp://www2.bc.edu/~emerypa/254/history.htmlhttp://www2.bc.edu/~emerypa/254/history.html


26-Feb-07 Page 14

with different tactics- the Hudson bomb from 6,000 feet while the Blenheims were to carry out a low level attack.

1114 hrs 233 Sqdn Lockheed Hudson I (PO Rhein) from at Leuchars approached the coast at 6,000 feet to attack Stavanger-Sola airfield. Went straight in and bombed using two 250 lb. G.P. Mk IV bombs- one failed to release. Results were not observed due to cloud cover.


1115 hrs At Stavanger airfield, 233 Sqdn Lockheed Hudson I (Sgt J.I.Hawken) from Leuchars was shot down by a Junkers Ju88C-2 (Unteroffizier P.Lauffs) from Zerstrerstaffel/K.G.30 at Stavanger-Sola while attempting to attack the airfield.


1117 hrs Two 254 Sqdn Blenheim IVF from Lossiemouth sent for low attack at Stavanger-Sola. At 6000 ft, they spotted 6 Bf110C-1s over the field at 1000 ft. RTB 1330 hrs


17-Apr-40 3 254 Sqdn Blenheims from Lossiemouth were ordered to meet HMS Suffolk at 59.33N 05.10E as fighter escort. Only 2 were sent.


0630 hrs 2x 224 Sqdn Hudsons from Leuchars searched the Norwegian coast from Stavanger north for reported German destroyers. They reached 59.44N 04.48E at 0630 and could not locate anything due to low clouds 10/10 to 200 feet. They searched south of this position for 30 miles. At 0632 they encountered 2 Blenheims from No. 254 searching for HMS Suffolk. The 4 a/c operated together to 59.00N 05.40E when they split up. Hudsons and Blenheims proceeded north in pairs.


0715 hrs two 224 Sqdn Lockheed Hudson I (F/Lt. Wright) from Wick located the German submarine U.58 (Kapitnleutnant Herbert Kuppisch- 1.Unterseebootflottille) on the surface (apparently surprised; it had just left Bergen) reported position 60.10N 05.09E Bjrnafjorden. Wright attacked with two 250 lb. G.P. Mk IV bombs from 1,100 feet- no damage. The other Hudson (Sgt Cargill) could not attack- the submarine had submerged. The 2 Blenheims, N/254 and O/254 searched north to Bjrnafjorden and Sognefjorden.


753 hrs O/254 was attacked by 2 Messerschmitt Bf110C-1 from I/Z.G.76. It fired 200 rounds from front guns at the first Bf110 and then evaded into clouds as the second fighter was attempting to get behind him.


0851 hrs N/254 patrolled Bergen and sighted 3 Heinkel He59D seaplanes at Kristiansholmen Island and strafed with machine-guns claiming one damaged. Antiaircraft fire from machine-guns at the base.


1115 to 1500 hrs

3 Blenheims from No. 254 Squadron at Lossiemouth were to locate HMS Suffolk at 59.44N 04.48E for escort- failed to locate.


Jul-40 7 He115 staffelen in Norway. War Machine 122 16-Oct-40 Raod vs. Tromso: HMS Furious launches 6 Skua to raid the harbor at Tromso.

One Skua flies to Sweden and ditches. Crew interned and returned in December.

FAA No. 810 Sqdn Profile

12-Jun-41 Fourteen Beaufighters of Nos. 22 and 42 Sqdns depart from their bases in Scotland to locate the German battleship Lutzow which had been sighted off the Norwegian coast by a No. 114 Sqdn Blenheim. The vessel was sighted by Flight Sergeant RH Loveitt of No. 42 Sqdn, and torpedoed during the night.

RAF History - 1941

30-Jul-41 Raid vs. Kirkenes. HMS Victorious & Furious raiding Kirkenes airfield to support Russia. Victorious was spotted at sea launching aircraft, so Kirkenes was prepared: AAA manned and ready, Bf109Es up. 11 Albacores, 2 Fulmars lost. Petsamo: Raid by aircraft from HMS Furious. Furious launches:

Sqdn a/c Armed Results 812 12 Albacore torpedos

817 6 Albacore bombs 1 shot down by AAA

800 6 Fulmar 1 lost

HMS Victorious In Boston Public Library Postwar article about the raid

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26-Feb-07 Page 15

There are no targets in Petsamo, frustrating the purpose of the raid.

Kirkenes: Raid by aircraft from HMS Victorious: Victorious launches: Sqdn a/c Armed Results 827 12 Albacore torpedos 6 lost!

828 8 Albacore torpedos 5 lost!

809 9 Fulmar II 2 lost. Claimed 2x Bf110s, 1x Bf109

Victorious crews were inexperienced. They were attacked by 3 Bf109s and 6 Bf110s of 6./JG5. Attacked Bremse, a DD-sized artillery training ship; thought 2 possible hits (none actually); may have hit 2 small (


26-Feb-07 Page 16

Apr-42 In April and May 1942 the Soviet air force suffered its heaviest casualties on all fronts, including the one in the Far North. the heaviest losses in the whole year. At that time PQ-15 and PQ-16 convoys steamed towards the USSR. The Germans did their best to prevent deliveries of equipment to the Eastern Front. The task of gaining air superiority fell to the fighters of JG5 Eismeer. Its successes were largely achieved by the pilots of 6./JG5, in Bf 109F-2s and F-4s.

Black Cross/Red Star by Bergstrm & Mikhailovich

17-May-42 Early AM morning aattack by 13 KG30 Ju 88s escorted by nine II./JG5 Bf109's against the ships of the PQ-15 convoy at Murmansk was beaten back by eight Hurricanes led by a single P-40 conspicuously painted in U.S. Navy blue.

This was one of two Kittyhawks handed over to the CIC of VVS-SF, General-Mayor Aleksandr Kuznetsov, and to the current top ace - the commander of 2GSAP, Podpolkovnik Boris Safonov - by the American delegation that arrived with the PQ15 on May 6.


23-Apr-42 the Soviets lost 5 Hurricanes and an SB

28-Apr-42 2 GSAP led by Safonov lost 7 Hurricanes and 4 pilots.

10-May-42 11 Hurricanes failed to return: six of 2 GSAP and five of 78 IAP, five pilots were killed.

18-May-42 tactical ("frontal") aviation lost five Hurricanes.

26-May-42 122 IAD PVO lost seven Hurricanes

30-May-42 The Northern Fleet Air Force flew 270 sorties in defence of the PQ-16 convoy. In air combats the Russians claimed 7 Ju 88s and 4 Bf 109s shot down (in fact the Luftwaffe lost a Ju 88A-4 and a Ju 88D-5). The Soviets lost a Kittyhawk and two Hurricanes. Lt. Col. of Guards Boris Safonov was killed in the P-40E Kittyhawk. By the time of his death he had claimed 20 victories.


4-Apr-43 The first successful torpedo attack by a Beaufighter; aircraft of No. 254 Sqdn sank two supply ships off Norway.

Bristol Beaufighter

3-Apr-44 Operation Tungsten: HMS Furious & Victorious vs. Tirpitz Altenfjord is 3/4 mile wide (only 13 hexes!) with 3000 ft cliff sides. AA on top, plus smoke generators. CVEs (Emperor, Pursuer, Sea Archer) had fighters, one (Fencer) with Swordfish for AS work. Barracudas armed with 1600 & 500 lb bombs

HMS Victorious In Boston Public Library

530 hrs First strike of 45 Corsairs, Wildcats, & Hellcats (~15 each) covering 21 Barracuda attack Tirpitz in Altenfjord. DBs came in from 8.0 ft. Wildcats and Hellcats strafed ship & suppressed AAA; Corsairs stayed up at 10.0 looking for interceptors (who never showed). Tirpitz begins to weigh anchor, then hit 9 times.

630 hrs After first attack, Tirpitz moves back into place. Smoke in place for second (smaller) strike. 20 DBs attack with smaller escort. Achieved 5 hits.

All hits from low altitude, which lowered penetration. Tirpitz wounded enough so that it could not move (it was going to leave) having just finished repairs.

8-May-44 Operation Tungsten: Luftwaffe comes to defend Tirpitz, causing actual dog fight w/No. 800 sqdn vs. Bf109Gs and FW190s.

FAA Sqdn Histories (No. 800 Sqdn)

15-Oct-44 Soviet 36th Air Division uses torpedo armed A-20Cs vs. convoy off Norway. US Combat Aircraft of WW2

Nov-44 Lancasters carrying huge bombs hit Tirpitz.

http://www.blackcross-redstar.com/boris.htmlhttp://www.blackcross-redstar.com/boris.htmlhttp://www.compass.dircon.co.uk/Beaufighter.htmhttp://www.compass.dircon.co.uk/Beaufighter.htmhttp://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/Squadrons/800.htmhttp://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/Squadrons/800.htmhttp://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/Squadrons/800.htm

Historical Notes Western Europe: France & Low Countries

26-Feb-07 Page 17

Western Europe: France & Low Countries Sep-37 France: In an attempt to prove their value to the General Staff, the 601 GIA

stages a raid, taking the General Staff prisoner. The Generals are impressed, but annoyed at the cavalier impudence. The French paras are at least allowed to jump more often.

Quand les Paras Etient Aviateurs (French)

Nov-39 Northern France: Both AdlA GIAs (Groupe dInfanterie de lAir paras) are moved mfor their bases in southern France and Algeria to prepare to jump into Walcheren in the event of a German attack on Holland. After a few weeks, the plan is cancelled, and the GIAs are returned to their usual bases.

Quand les Paras Etient Aviateurs (French)

May-40 French radar: range 31 miles; no height information No. 85 Group (RAF Lt bombers) in France No. 96 Sqdn (Blenheims?) No. 219 Sqdn (Blenheims?)


10-May-40 Belgium: 0420 hrs: Schaffen Airbase (main Belgian base) flown over by ~50 unknown aircraft; base alerted. 1 flight of Glads took off (and sqdn of Fox IIIs, off for a gunnery exercise). A/C were He111s and Do 17s, escorted by Bf110Cs. The Luftwaffe bombed and strafed a few minutes later. 2 Hurris took off during battle. 4 Hurris destroyed, 6 damaged on the ground. 5 CR.42s of II Group are performing CAP over Brustem when attacked by 4 Bf109Es. 1 of each is shot down. 9 Fox VIs patrolling over the airfield at Vissenaken attacked by 12 Bf109Es from 3./JG27. 3 Foxes, 1 Bf109 downed; all 6 others damaged. 0900 hrs: 2 Glads encounter 10 Bf109Es of JG/1 and are shot down. 1000 hrs: 3 Glads try to bounce Ju87s, but are attacked by Bf109Es, and are shot down.

Holland: 0800 hrs: As part of the plan to seize the Dutch Royal Family, the Luftwaffe bombed Ypenburg field to soften it up for an immediate raid by the I/FJR.2 btn attempts to jump and seize Ypenburg airfield. The scattered battalion was held off by light troops. A Dutch officer had been present at Fornebu in Norway, and got small infantry units (reinforced company sized?) stationed at Dutch military airfields. The attacking aircraft overflew the field (the plan was to make the Dutch think the assault was against England), alerting the Dutch, flew out to sea to come in from the west. This allowed the field (actually, several fields), already alerted, to get some a/c up and to get its defenders into position. The Luftwaffe flew (some of) the 22nd Luftlande Regt to Ypenburg and landed. They took heavy losses from the Dutch machinegunners who still held the field. Losses and being behind schedule caused the Germans to land elsewhere. By the same time, they had seized Ockenburg field (west of the Hague), which was held by a smaller, green unit that did inflict heavy casualties before surrendering the field. Other FJs, jumping in company and btn strength seize key bridges in Western Holland to limit or cut off aide from France. 1000 hrs: The Luftwaffe lands at Valkenburg, which was contrary to German intel, not finished. The troops were able to land with minimal casualties, but the Ju52s took a beating. Some 13 Ju52s landed near the Hook of Holland, more due to its open beaches than anything else. However, this drew the attention of some of the Dutch defense, as this was the water opening to Rotterdam. In the afternoon, the Dutch DD Van Galen appeared and shot up the downed transports. [From what I have read, it seems that opposed German landings led to crash-assault tactics that caused the brunt of German equipment casualties Uncle Ted]

The Battle for The Hague, 1940. Brongers, E.H.

http://www.ba702.air.defense.gouv.fr/actualites/Lescopains/paras_1rcp.pdfhttp://www.ba702.air.defense.gouv.fr/actualites/Lescopains/paras_1rcp.pdfhttp://www.ba702.air.defense.gouv.fr/actualites/Lescopains/paras_1rcp.pdfhttp://www.ba702.air.defense.gouv.fr/actualites/Lescopains/paras_1rcp.pdf


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By the end of the day, the Luftwaffe had some 200 Ju52s smashed on the gound. 7th Fleiger Div and 22nd Luftlande was spread out in clumps; about 1,000 were dead and hundreds (1750 taken to England 12-May-40) were prisoners France: 400 hrs Raid by He111s on Calais airfields surprise F1C pilots, who only get 4 Po631 in the air before field is closed. No aircraft lost in bombing. These aircraft ran into Bf110s, and initiated combat. Several germans claimed down in exchange for 1 Po631. Later that morning, some are in action over Holland, downing 1 Ju52.

La Campagne de France

11-May-40 Belgium: 9 Belgian Battles (of 5/III/3Ae) try to attack 3 bridges over Meuse. Glad escort is unable to rendezvous. Only 1 actually bombs. 6 Gladiators OF 1/I/2, to be the escort for the Battles attacking the bridges, met 8 Bf109Es. 4 Glads, 1 Bf109 downed. 4 Bombs hit their bridges 1 and 3, but the three did not explode. Only 3 Battles and 2 Glad returned. This is Belgiums only offensive air action in the campaign.

France: F1C trades 2x Po631 for 2 He111s. After this F1C not used as an interceptor, but as an escort for F1A


12-May-40 Over Belgium 6 Defiants of No. 264 Sqdn with 6 Spitfire Is of No. 66 Sqdn flying over northern Belgium spotted a large number (probably a Gruppe or two sqdns) of Ju87B Stukas bombing a railway. The Defiants lit into the Ju87s, shooting down 10. They were spotted and attacked by 5/JG26 at 8000 ft. 1 Bf109E-3, 1 Spitfire, and 5 Defiants were shot down

JG26 Top Guns of the Luftwaffe by Donald Caldwell

13-May-40 A Last Dutch Raid Early on 13-May-40 was the last Dutch Offensive Raid. At 0509 hrs, the last operational T-V medium bomber escorted by 2 G-1 twinboom fighters took off from Schipol and flew to bomb the Moerdijk bridge. It made two runs and missed the bridge, and then returned at tree-top level. However, they were spotted by 4/JG26 (8-12 Bf109E-3s) who shot down the bomber and one G-1. The remaining G-1 landed at Schipol at 0559 hrs. Sedan: This is a day of key attacks in the Sedan area

JG26 Top Guns of the Luftwaffe by Donald Caldwell

Early AM Elements of two German Corps appear on the east banks of the Meuse near Sedan and 40 miles north near Dinant.

0700 hrs First of several waves of Do17Zs hit French positions on the west bank. Attacks do little but keep French heads down.

1200+ hrs StGr76 Stukas under Col. Sigel loaded w/ 250Kg bombs divebomb French positions at Sedan, sirens and all. They hit accurately. StGr77 under Col. Schwartzkopf hit positions 3 miles downriver. The Stukas were well-protected by fighters in Gruppe or Geshwader strenth. The French AA hit back in patrol strength, and could do nothing. French troop morale drops.

1500+ hrs Guderian crosses the Meuse in rubber boats. AT Donchery, a pontoon bridge is built, covered by 88mms. More bridges cross at Montharme and Dinant. Germans begin crossing by nightfall.

14-May-40 Sedan: Major attempt by RAF and AA to destroy the bridges over the Meuse. The defenses include a full flakbattalion and Bf110s and Bf109Es. First attack was by 10 Fairey Battles miss the flak, but miss the bridge. Next several sqdns of French bombers including Am.143s, LeO451s, Br.693s, M.17s and DB-7s. JG2 and JG53 in great evidence. 47 LeO451s lost; French units avg 50% losses. Afternoon: RAF tries again with 63 Fairey Battles and 8 Blenheims IVs w/ some Hurricanes and 200 French fighters as escort. Allied fighters tied up by 109s; 110s bore into bombers, as did heavy and medium flak (88s & 37s). One sqdn lost 10 of 11 Battles. No. 12 lost 4 of 5 remaining after its bridge raid in Belgium the week before. 40 of 71 bombers lost. Those that actually hit Sedan

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26-Feb-07 Page 19

held up the German advance for about an hour. Dusk: RAF Bomber Command (in France) sent 28 Blenheims. 7 lost, bridges still intact. Belgium: II Group vs. 8./JG3 near Fleurus (bitter fighting between CR.42s and Bf109Es). 1 Bf109E, 5 CR.42s claimed, neither side actually lost an aircraft.

16-May-40 Holland: Attack on a Dutch bridge on Walcheren by Aeronavale force Po631s of AC1, & LN40s of AB2&4 based in Berck. Attack results unknown.


17-May-40 Only 1 Came Back Belgium: 12 Blenheim IVs of No. 82 Sqdn, armed with 4x 250 lb. Bombs were sent to attack Gembloux airfield in use by the Luftwaffe. Their escorting Hurricanes never showed, as they had already been intercepted by Bf109s. At 8,000 ft. in the attack area, they were jumped by 15 Bf109E-3s of JG3, then flak over the field. 1 returned to base. 2 made it far enough to friendly lines to ditch. France: 4 sqdns of Po.631 nightfighters, having proved little better as NFs than they had as day fighters (lack of special sensing equipment), were used as attack aircraft against German armored columns. 6 Po.631s lost (2 shot down, 2 simply never returned). Holland: Night attack by LN-40s of Aeronavale AB2 in the area of Flushing. 2 dont return.

The Bomber Offensive by Anthony Verrier Air War: Po.631 (Russian) La Campagne de France

18-May-40 Northern France: 2 Po631 attack Ju87s attacking DDs in Nieuport. They down 2 Stukas, but are shot down by the escorting Messerschmitts (doesnt say if 109s or 110s).


19-May-40 Northern France: LN-40s of both AB2 & AB4 attack a concentration of German armor at the crossroads (crossing?) of Berlaimont on the Sambre. (1830 hrs) 50 km out, they begin to be attacked by flak, which follows them to the target. At 1900 hrs, they bomb, diving from 3800 ft to 400 ft, afterwards strafing convoys and other German vehciels in the area. They were hit by flak again all the way back. 6 (perhaps half) of the attacking force returned, all damaged. Mechanics put three to rights for the next days attack.


20-May-40 Northern France: V-156F (SB2U-2) baptism of fire: AB1, flying out of Alprecht near Boulougne, was ordered to bomb a number of bridges that crossed a canal near Origny-Ste-Benoite on the Oise River. The Navy pilots had no training or experience in attacking land targets. The squadron was caught by a flight of Messerscmitt Bf-109Es and lost five aircraft. They were accompanied by some (3?) LN-40s of AB2 armed w/ 2x 150 kg bombs. As the LNs were slower, they ended up 10 minutes behind, accompanied by English fighters (Hurricanes). As the Bf109s had RTBd, the LNs went in to hit the target. F1C used for ground attack.

Vought Hertiage Museum: V-156F La Campagne de France

21-May-40 France: A D.520 accidently attacks a Po.631, killing th pilot. It had mistaken it for a Bf110, of a very similar shape. F1B, based in Alprecht near Boulogne, pulls back to Dunkirk as Boulogne falls. F1C is moved to Cherbourg. The final a/c had cleared the field when the first tanks appeared.

Air War: Po.631 (Russian) La Campagne de France

Skuas over Dunkirk: 800 Sqdn Skuas w/ Rocs

IV-May-40

801 Sqdn Skuas

Skua article in Air Power

22-May-40 Northern France: With Dunkirk surrounded, the suriving a/c of F1B pull out; AB1s 4 a/c go to Cherbourg. One later rejoins them.


23-May-40 Northern France: 18 Late 298 sea-planes carrying 500 kg bombs attack German-held bridges. 4 lost to German fire (implies AAA). Northern France: MB.152s accidently attack and shoot down a Po.631 belonging to onf of the NG sqdns near Paris.

War Machine No. xxx (seaplanes) Air War: Po.631 (Russian)

26-May-40 Northern France: AB1 flies additional missions vs. German armor & artillery Vought Hertiage

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until 4-Jun-40, losing 1 more aircraft. Museum: V-156F 31-May-40 France: DB-7s active with Groupement 2 (GB I/19, II/19, II/61. First raid by

DB-7s. 12 sent to St. Quentin region. 4 shot down AAHS Journal Vol.13, #1, French DB-7 use

1-Jun-40 England: AB1s 5 SB2U-2s fly to Tangmere, and from there fly group support missions over Dunkirk.


2-Jun-40 France: F1C personnel sent to Toulouse for fresh aircraft. It will take until 19-June but the replacement aircraft will be D.520s!


5-Jun-40 France: Raid by 12 DB-7s on Somme River front. 1 shot down. 6-Jun-40 France: Raid by 5 DB-7 on Mealte Air Base. All survive. 7-Jun-40 France: Raid by 8 DB-7s on Royen region. 1 shot down. 8-Jun-40 France: Raid by 6 DB-7s and 6 M-167F on Aisne River bridges. 1 lost.

AAHS Journal Vol.13, #1, French DB-7 use

9-Jun-40 France: Raid by 4 SB2U-2 of AB1 vs German motorized column. La Campagne de France

10-Jun-40 France: Raid by 5 DB-7s on Montmirail. 1 shot down. Italy declares war against France. France: Raid by AB-1 vs a bridge over the Seine at Elbeuf.

AAHS Journal Vol.13, #1, La Campagne de France

12-Jun-40 France: Farman F.224 of 602 GIA is shot down ferrying paratroop equipment from France to maison-Blanche, Algeria. 2 KIA, 4 POWs.

Memoir 78: Farman

14-Jun-40 France: Final raid before capitulation by 10 DB-7 at Chateau-Thierry. 1 shot down. The rest were ordered to N Africa several days before Armistice (25-Jun). Southern France: AB3, flying V-156Fs based in Cuers, attacks targets of opportunity in Northern Itay. One flight spots a sub and sinks it with 2 direct hits. France: An operation was begun to send 12 Blenheims and 12 Hurricanes to the Mid East across France. This became a disaster, with most of the Blenheims crashing and the rest returning to England. By 25-June, 6 of the Hurricanes reach Malta and 3 are ordered to fly on to Alexandria.

AAHS Journal Vol.13, Num 1, Vought Hertiage Museum: V-156F Malta: The Hurricane Years by Shores, Cull, and Malizia

15-Jun-40 Provence, France: Regia Aeronautica attacks French airfields, hoping to catch French aircraft on the ground. During one, 7 CR.42 acting as high cover for a strafing Gruppo (20 a/c) was engaged by 6 MB.151 of AC3 (not counting 2 shot down on take-off), who shot down 2 CR.42. At Cuers, AB3 loses 6 V-156F to strafing CR.42.

La Campagne de France Vought Hertiage Museum: V-156F

17-Jun-40 Provence: AB3 launches its last attack, raiding Porto San Stefano Liguria. After this attack, AB3 was evacuated to Corsica. Western France: British evacuation ships attacked. 1348 hrs: Oronsay (20,000 t. liner) attacked in Charpentier Roads off St. Nazaire; hit by one bomb (from Do17). 1550 hrs: having waited another 2 hours, the over-loaded Lanacastria (16,243 t liner) is hit by 4 bombs from a divebombing Ju88 of I/KG30 flying out of Louvain, Belgium. 14 Ju88s took part; at least 1 Hurricane of No. 73 Sqdn + MS.406s defended (1 MS.406 chased the Ju88 that hit Lancastria through dive-bombing run). 1 Ju88 downed. Lancastria armed w/ 1 4-inch gun, plus 3-4 Bren LMGs available to troops aboard. They had stopped counting troops at 6000. Lancastria sunk in 15 minutes; some 2500 were saved. Loss not announced for some time by Churchills order.

Vought Hertiage Museum: V-156F Sinking of the Lancastria by

18-Jun-40 Rochefort: AC1 & AC2 rearm with D.520s, and are then sent to Hyreres. On 24-Jun, like many units, they are ordered to fly to North Africa.


19-Jun-40 Bordeaux: 12 He111H-2s avoid the local air defenses to hit the heart of the city despite the intervention of the Bloch MB.152s. The Luftwaffe easily penetrates the new French capital killing 65 and wounding 160. The mission was intended to stimulate the French government to quickly finalize armistice negotiations.

Bombardment of Bordeaux and the Italian submarine base BETASOM

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20-Jun-40 France: French AAA shot down an Air France D.338 near Ouistreham Plane crash Info: 1940

16-Oct-40 Bordeaux: 12 Hampdens of No. 44 (Rhodesia), and No. 49 Sqdns (5 Grp) took off from Waddington and Scampton. Two a/c aborted due to foul weather; 4 aircraft the remaining aircraft delivered 900 kg marine mines (Deodar); the other six experienced various breakdowns, with one a/c disappearing. The mission was a partial failure.


2-Nov-40 Bordeaux: a larger number of Hampdens, along with some Blenheims (32 a/c total) attacked the airport of Merignac, destroying 4 hangars and 6 a/c, including 4 FW.200C Kondors.


27-Nov-40 Western Med: Italian fighters shot down an Air France Farman F.224 airfliner.

8-Dec-40 Bordeaux: 44 R.A.F. a/c including 29 Wellingtons of No. 49 (5 Grp), No. 149 and No. 115 Sqdns (3 Grp), and 15 Whitleys of 4 Grp attacked the city itself and more specifically the Italian submarine base at Bacalan. The bombardment lasted over 5 hours and was facilitated by excellent weather conditions.

In the luminescent night, the "Bassin a Flot" (tidal basin) was perfectly visible and the Wellingtons dropped their bombs from altitudes ranging from 1500 to 3600 feet. Each a/c carried 8 to 13 250lb bombs, while the Whitleys carried 250 and 500 lb bombs. The German MM (cargo and passengers) Usaramo (7775 t) was hit and settled on the muddy bottom of the Garonne. The tanker Cap Hadid, caught fire and was lost., The large French liner De Grasse (18450 t Italian floating HQ) was only marginally damaged. The Italian base, and especially the submarines, received minimal damage. The civilian population bore the brunt; 16 dead and 67 wounded. Most bombs fell 2500 to 3000 meters from the base toward the center of the city (Bacalan is to the north). British lost 1 Wellington of the 115th Squadron, near Cardiff along with its 5 crewmembers.


27-Dec-40 Bordeaux: RAF attacks the airport of Merignac, west of the city w/ over 70 aircraft participated, but there was no report of any Focke-Wulf 200 "Kondor" being destroyed.


6-Apr-41 Brest: 6 Beauforts attack the Gneisenau in Brest in the teeth of extremely high AAA. 1 torpedo hits; pilot awarded VC posthumously.

RAF History - 1942

11-Apr-41 Bordeaux: 11 Wellington attacked Merignac, demolishing two hangars, two FW 200, two He111, and a Do215. The R.A.F. lost one bomber. Meantime, aerial reports from British fliers informed the High Command that the number of submarine in port was substantially increasing, but no action taken.


24-Jul-41 France: Major daylight raid on Brest by RAF by 99 a/c (including Grp 11 ftrs). 14 Halifaxes sent to La Pallice (alone) for Scharnhorst while Main Force hit Brest (Gneisenau damaged). Jumped by 12-18 fighters. 5 shot down, 5 took 3 weeks to repair, others took less damage. Whole raid suffered 14% loss.

The Bomber Offensive by Anthony Verrier

Feb-42 Average Bomber Command attack uses 300 long range bombers, including 69 heavies (mostly Stirlings).

1-Feb-42 to 11-Feb-42

England: Bomber Command is supposed to have 300(!) bombers waiting to act against a breakout of the German Capital ships in Brest (Operation Fuller). Keeping that many a/c idle annoyed Bomber Command; they only kept 100 bombers on alert. Operation Fuller included practice for a co-ordinated night attack by 32 MTBs and Esmondes No. 825 Sqdn of Swordfish, No. 217 Sqdn of Beauforts, which had been moved to the FC field at Manston, lit by flares dropped by Hurricane FBs. Pizeys Sqdn of old DDs was also on alert in Harwich during this time; they were to intercept anything that managed to get through the Dover Straits. The Fuller plan was not widely disseminated down to squadron leader level; nor had a day attempt to force the Straits of Dover by

Fiasco! by John Deane Potter

http://www.planecrashinfo.com/1940/1940.htmhttp://www.planecrashinfo.com/1940/1940.htmhttp://www.regiamarina.net/subs/index.htmhttp://www.regiamarina.net/subs/index.htmhttp://www.regiamarina.net/subs/index.htmhttp://www.regiamarina.net/subs/index.htmhttp://www.regiamarina.net/subs/index.htmhttp://www.regiamarina.net/subs/index.htmhttp://www.regiamarina.net/subs/index.htmhttp://www.regiamarina.net/subs/index.htmhttp://www.regiamarina.net/subs/index.htmhttp://www.regiamarina.net/subs/index.htmhttp://www.regiamarina.net/subs/index.htmhttp://www.regiamarina.net/subs/index.htmhttp://www.regiamarina.net/subs/index.htmhttp://www.regiamarina.net/subs/index.htmhttp://www.regiamarina.net/subs/index.htmhttp://www.regiamarina.net/subs/index.htmhttp://www.raf.mod.uk/history/line1942.htmlhttp://www.raf.mod.uk/history/line1942.htmlhttp://www.regiamarina.net/subs/index.htmhttp://www.regiamarina.net/subs/index.htmhttp://www.regiamarina.net/subs/index.htmhttp://www.regiamarina.net/subs/index.htm


26-Feb-07 Page 22

day been considered. 8-Feb-42 Scotland: A temporary move of No. 42 Sqdn from Leuchars (where it had been

kept to use against Tirpitz) to Coltishall is ordered. However, it is delayed 4 days due to a snowstorm and hazardous flying conditions.


11-Feb-42 1930 hrs

Dover: some 26 MTBs are sent back to their normal stations across southern and eastern England. Brest: Within minutes of leaving the wharf to break out, the German capital ships are stuck in Brest by an air raid. From 01745 to 2030, 16 Wellingtons raid Brest. While nothing was damaged, it did delay their departure for about nearly 2 hours. All clear finally sounded at 2114 hrs. [IMHO, this worked to their advantage on the other end; another 1.5 hours of daylight in the afternoon might have allowed the RAF to score. Uncle Ted].


2130 hrs Brest: later still due to fouling cables while exiting the harbor. The Germans then steam through the night making up time.


Channel: There were generally three radar armed night patrols looking for traffic through the Channel. The western patrol, covering Brest, shut off its radar about 19:30 over Brest after a close encounter with a Ju88 nightfighter. It did not come back on. They tried fixing it aloft, which did not work, and so returned to base. They tried repairing it on the ground, and after 50 minutes returned to their mission. By the time they returned to station at 22:40 hrs, the German flotilla had left and was 50 miles away. The middle patrol also lost their radar in mid patrol. After flying around for a while in dark conditions, they flew home at 21:15 hrs. They were not replaced.


12-Feb-42 Operation Thunderbolt: The air operation covering Operation Cerberus (moving Scharnhorst, Gneisenau, and Prinz Eugen, 7 DDs, and 50 smaller vessels (Minelayers, TBs, E-boats) from Brest to Germany through the Channel.). Pits 250 Luftwaffe fighters (Bf109s and FW190s) plus 30 110 Night fighters vs 250 bombers (Swordfish, Blenheims, Hampdens, Wellingtons, "4 engine" Beauforts using Torpedos, bombs, and mines guarded by 15 sqdns of Hurricanes and Spitfires. The attackers were hampered by poor weather that got worse as the day went on. Of 242 pursuing aircraft, only 39 found targets. Weather kept bomb drops to as low as 200 ft. Total of 17 Luftwaffe fighters, 17 RAF fighters, 20 bombers and 6 Swordfish shot down. Details: Galland put 16 ftrs (4 Schwarm)/shift over the ships, two schwarms high, two low. Each shift flew 30 minutes, with 10 minutes overlap with previous shift. RAFs J-Watch notes German jamming. Channel: The German flotilla speeds east up the channel through the night undetected by the RAF. Without a (detected) breakout, the RAF and RN forces on alert for a week were stood down for a bit of rest.

First and the Last by Adolf Galland German Navy in World War 2 JG26 War Diary Radar: A Wartime Miracle Fiasco! by John Deane Potter

0413 hrs Channel: Ciliax hears of new minefield discovered off Boulogne, right in the flotillas path.


0630 hrs Channel: Flot

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