SWP Friendly Fire

[Franek Grabowski]

I have Boomerang A46-88 flown by F/O J Collier downed by AAA. Does anyone have a date, christian name and fate of F/O Collier and details of victorious US unit?
Also I have Kittyhawk of 78 Wg damaged while flown by Frederick Scherger , who went unscathed when attacked by USN aircraft in Finschhafen area. I am looking for a date, rank of Scherger, details of Kitty and anything regarding US pilot involved.
Thanks

[Ota Jirovec]

Hello Franek,

F/O James Keith Collier of 4 Sqn RAAF was shot down and killed by US fround fire over Nassau Bay on 5 July 1943. Apparently it was the first Boomerang lost on operations.

source: www.adf-serials.com

You can try the same page to find out the deails of Scherger´s Kittyhawk (there are too many...).

Hope this helps a little,

Ota

[Franek Grabowski]

Thanks Ota
Unfortunatelly there is no Kitty flown by any Scherger listed. Interestingly I have a Wirraway lost due to FF on 5 July 1943. Wondering if it is an error. Still a tip of iceberg I think! 49 FG had a lot of such incidents.
Best wishes

[Six Nifty .50s]

Unfortunatelly there is no Kitty flown by any Scherger listed. Interestingly I have a Wirraway lost due to FF on 5 July 1943. Wondering if it is an error. Still a tip of iceberg I think! 49 FG had a lot of such incidents.
Best wishes

Compared to the ETO, not many planes were involved in friendly fire mistakes in the Pacific. Some incidents involving the Australians:

USAAF P-40E (41-5551) was shot down by Australian AA fire at Darwin, April 4th, 1942. Lt. Grover Gardner bailed out.

RAAF Beaufort (A9-225) mistakenly attacked a US Navy PB4Y Liberator, and the Beaufort was subsequently shot down by return fire from the Liberator, July 12th, 1943. (This has been corrected: originally, I wrote the wrong serial number of A9-224).

RNZAF P-40M (NZ3084) crashed after it was hit by a falling bomb dropped by a B-24 Liberator on August 30th, 1943. (This type of accident was fairly common, especially over Europe. Falling drop tanks was another hazard).

RAAF P-40N (A-29-688) was shot down by friendly fire (apparently hit by rockets from unidentified source) on October 13th, 1944, which killed the pilot F/O Peter Parkinson.

RAAF Beaufighter (A8-85) was shot down by the blast from its own rockets, and the pilot also misidentified the target. They sank a private yacht owned by the Rajah of Sarawak, but it was claimed as a Japanese Oil Tanker, August 7th, 1945. The crew survived the crash.

When RAAF P-40s first arrived overhead their new base in Port Moresby, Australian airfield defense units opened fire on them as they came in for a landing. Four Kittyhawks were damaged by AA fire, but I don't know the serials. In March 1944, RAAF P-40s from 78 Squadron and an RAAF Beaufighter from 30 Squadron attacked two US Navy patrol boats off New Britain -- PT 121 and PT 353 both exploded and sank. Eight men were killed.

In Europe, there were too many friendly fire accidents to count. During the Battle of Britain, at least thirty-six British aircraft were shot down in error by the RAF or by British anti-aircraft batteries. The Luftwaffe may have lost a higher total during Operation Bodenplatte.

[Franek Grabowski]

Thanks for the reply.

Compared to the ETO, not many planes were involved in friendly fire mistakes in the Pacific.

I thin it is just only a matter of research and identification. White tails were not introduced without reason!

USAAF P-40E (41-5551) was shot down by Australian AA fire at Darwin, April 4th, 1942. Lt. Grover Gardner bailed out.

Do you have units of both Gardner and AA?

RAAF Beaufort (A9-224) mistakenly attacked a US Navy PB4Y Liberator, and the Beaufort was subsequently shot down by return fire from the Liberator, July 12th, 1943.

Are you sure of the serial? ADF site notes A9-224 survived the war. Any details concerning crews and units?

When RAAF P-40s first arrived overhead their new base in Port Moresby, Australian airfield defense units opened fire on them as they came in for a landing. Four Kittyhawks were damaged by AA fire, but I don't know the serials.

Do you have any date for it?

In Europe, there were too many friendly fire accidents to count. During the Battle of Britain, at least thirty-six British aircraft were shot down in error by the RAF or by British anti-aircraft batteries.

I have not that many written off RAF aircraft, around 20 I think, plus several more damaged. Have you got any list of them?

The Luftwaffe may have lost a higher total during Operation Bodenplatte.

John Manrho should comment this! ;)

[Six Nifty .50s]

Gardner was from the 49th Pursuit Group. One of his mates was future ace George Preddy, whose diary entry confirms that Gardner's plane was hit by ack ack over Darwin. Preddy later crashlanded a P-51D after being fatally wounded by a .50 caliber bullet fired by the U.S. 12th Anti-Aircraft Group, December 1944.

The Beaufort was A9-225, not A9-224.

Don't know the exact date when the Kittyhawks were damaged by AA fire at Port Moresby.

The number of RAF planes shot down in error during the Battle of Britain (36) was quoted by Stephen Bungay who was interviewed in a TV documentary series called SPITFIRE ACE. I recorded this program and watched it again today.

There is no doubt that some friendly fire mistakes were covered up. One of the RAF pilots interviewed was Iain Hutchinson of 222 Squadron, who said that he was shot down by another Spitfire and then bailed out with burns. The official version of the story, as far as I can ascertain, was that Hutchinson's Spitfire (R6772) crashed after combat with an Me 109 on September 18th, 1940.

[Franek Grabowski]

Thanks for the next reply.

The number of RAF planes shot down in error during the Battle of Britain (36) was quoted by Stephen Bungay who was interviewed in a TV documentary series called SPITFIRE ACE. I recorded this program and watched it again today.

I am curious what was his source, nonetheless I believe the number was actually much higher.

There is no doubt that some friendly fire mistakes were covered up. One of the RAF pilots interviewed was Iain Hutchinson of 222 Squadron, who said that he was shot down by another Spitfire and then bailed out with burns. The official version of the story, as far as I can ascertain, was that Hutchinson's Spitfire (R6772) crashed after combat with an Me 109 on September 18th, 1940.

Well, they were covered quite well. I have a case of a shot up RAF Mustang but ORBs of all Mustang Squadrons say there were no sorties that day!
Hutchinson, have not had this one and I suppose his Spitfire was possibly credited to a RAF pilot as a Me 109 as there are some claims in the approximate time and area.

[Six Nifty .50s]

Thanks for the next reply.

The number of RAF planes shot down in error during the Battle of Britain (36) was quoted by Stephen Bungay who was interviewed in a TV documentary series called SPITFIRE ACE. I recorded this program and watched it again today.

I am curious what was his source

Hello Franek. Bungay said that he examined the record personally. He probably tapped into several sources for information.

What reference are you working from?

There is no doubt that some friendly fire mistakes were covered up. One of the RAF pilots interviewed was Iain Hutchinson of 222 Squadron, who said that he was shot down by another Spitfire and then bailed out with burns. The official version of the story, as far as I can ascertain, was that Hutchinson's Spitfire (R6772) crashed after combat with an Me 109 on September 18th, 1940.

Well, they were covered quite well. I have a case of a shot up RAF Mustang but ORBs of all Mustang Squadrons say there were no sorties that day!

I have another candidate. Maybe you have read that the L-5 observation plane carrying General George S. Patton came under attack by an RAF fighter on April 20th, 1945. According to his diary entry (see THE PATTON PAPERS) the RAF pilot made several passes and on the last, failed to pull out of a dive and crashed. Patton wrote that the plane appeared to be a Spitfire, and that the pilot may have been a Polish flyer with one of the RAF squadrons.

BTW you might want to read the following article about E.J.B. Nicolson, the only fighter pilot to win a Victoria Cross during World War II. Certain parts of his ordeal during that mission were omitted in the official accounts of his award, but they are mentioned here:

http://www.commandsite.net/Units/Tangmere_Wing/249SqdnRAF/J__Nick__Nicolson/body_j__nick__nicolson.html

[Franek Grabowski]

Hello

Bungay said that he examined the record personally. He probably tapped into several sources for information.
What reference are you working from?


Well, I have not found any statistics nor anything in that kind but my access to ex-PRO is quite limited, so I did no extensive search there. Procat did not return too many matching documents, however. My sources are publications and such documents like ORBs or PCRs.

I have another candidate. Maybe you have read that the L-5 observation plane carrying General George S. Patton came under attack by an RAF fighter on April 20th, 1945. According to his diary entry (see THE PATTON PAPERS) the RAF pilot made several passes and on the last, failed to pull out of a dive and crashed. Patton wrote that the plane appeared to be a Spitfire, and that the pilot may have been a Polish flyer with one of the RAF squadrons.

No Polish fighter was lost on 20 April 1945 but I recall a story by a Pole who could have been the pilot. His comment was - he was bl**dy lucky I was not an American.


BTW you might want to read the following article about E.J.B.
Nicolson, the only fighter pilot to win a Victoria Cross during World War II.

Yes, I know the story but not sure if it fits into my table. Another well known pilot killed similar way was Ortmans and I recall there was a well known French pilot killed in 1940 by a Belgian(?) shuttle operator.

[Six Nifty .50s]

Well, I have not found any statistics nor anything in that kind but my access to ex-PRO is quite limited, so I did no extensive search there. Procat did not return too many matching documents, however. My sources are publications and such documents like ORBs or PCRs.


Even if statistics were available from the RAF, it would still be wise to check other sources. On August 16th 1940, the same day that M.A. King and E.J.B. Nicolson were mistakenly shot by British soldiers, Hurricane P3173 (Pilot Officer J.F.D. Elkington) was shot down by British anti-aircraft batteries at Portsmouth, according to Francis K. Mason, THE HAWKER HURRICANE.

Other reference works, e.g. THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN: THEN AND NOW, lists Elkington as shot down over Thorney Island, with no cause given.

[Franek Grabowski]

Yes, indeed, but I am afraid I have other sources but no statistics nor official position. No doubt the problem was recognised as a counter measures were taken in late 1940-early 1941 but there is nowhere discussion on the subject.

[johnboy]

In regards to Flying Officer Collier. Boomerang A46-88 (QE-H) was shot down by the U.S Navy. They had been attacked by Japanese aircraft during the previous days.
Also, on the 15th of November 1943, Flying Officer Robert Stewart of 4 Squadron was shot down in Boomerang A46-136 by Major (later Lt.Col) Gerald Johnston flying a P-47D with the 348th F.G..The Boomerang crashed and burned near Finschhafen, but F/O Stewart survived. Major Johnston visited the squadron and apologised personally.

[Col Bruggy]

Hello,

From: No.4 Squadron, R.A.A.F.
To: HEADQUARTERS, No.5 BASE PERSONNEL STAFF OFFICE. R.A.A.F.
Date: 10 July 1943.
Ref: 15/10/AIR

(Copy for information No.73 Wing Hqrs)

CONFIRMATORY MEMORANDUM (A.F.O. 18/E/2 (5) (b).
AIRCRAFT CASUALTY - BOOMERANG A46-88. 1410/K 5/7/43.

1.
On 5th July 1943, A46-88 (F/O.J.K.COLLIER) departed from WAU in company with A46-89 (F/O.J.M.UTBER) to carry out a Tac. Reece, in the vicinity of SALAMAUA. Cloud intervened and the aircraft proceeded to NASSAU BAY area to complete such portion of the Recce, as cloud would permit. Whilst over NASSAU BAY barges were sighted on the beach, being apparently those used by the MacKechnie (U.S.A.) Force in its landing at that spot. A46-88 dived apparently to inspect the barges and whilst at about 200 feet encountered an intense barrage of light A/A fire coming from MacKechnie Force positions. The aircraft was hit, banked and struck the water, ran over the beach and into the adjoining undergrowth. MacKechnie Force advises that the pilot was killed and has been buried in a temporary U.S.A., cemetery in the locality. Further, that the aircraft is a total loss.

II.
Tactical Reconnaissance. Two (2) aircraft. Pilot of the accompanying aircraft was F/O.J.M UTBER (401866)

III-IV - edited

V.
MacKechnie Force advises that member was buried in temporary U.S.A. cemetery ALDIG Number One,New Guinea,Grave 16, Map reference :- BADEN BAY West 1 inch to 1 mile, 833-827.

(signed) W.F. ALLSHORN.
Squadron Leader,
Commanding No.4 Squadron,
R.A.A.F.

The above account can be seen at: NAA: A9845 144 - Boomerang A46 [Accidents Part 6] p.23 of 57.

Franek,

The Frederick Scherger mentioned, was in fact - Air Officer Commanding No.10 Group, New Guinea, 25 G/C (A/A/C) Frederick Rudolph William SCHERGER AFC RAAF (DSO, June 1944), Nov 1943 - July 1944.

From:
Scherger:A Biography.
Rayner,Harry.
Canberra:Australian War Memorial,1984.
p.72.

An aircraft was specially allocated to Scherger for use in the area and its call-sign of "Smutty Special" for the Kittyhawk (RAAF A29-476) seemed highly appropriate to those group personnel who knew their chief's propensity for tale telling. "Smutty Special" received no special treatment, however, on 14th April (!944), when it received heavy fire from American Navy vessels in the harbour at Finschhafen. On a belly tank and R/T test flight from Nadzab to Finschhaffen, in heavy cloud, Scherger had called tower control and received approval to land, "...but on breaking cloud, with wheels and flaps down, all hell let loose, and I quickly got back into cloud again. After roundly abusing the tower and getting a second OK, I came in again from seawards, and the US Navy again let fly, so I hightailed it back into cloud, flew down the coast, and picked up a stream of Dakotas and tailed them in to the strip." Scherger lived to tell the story. One wonders what the American reaction would have been if Australian ack-ack gunners had fired on and hit the US air chief, General Kenney.

For a little more, see: A29-476:

http://www.adf-serials.com/2a29-N1.shtml

For Boomerang A46-136, we have the following:

FROM: No.4 Squadron, R.A.A.F.
TO: Headquarters, No.5 BASE PERSONNEL STAFF OFFICE, R.A.A.F.
(copy to No.9 O.G for information)
DATE: 24 Nov. 1943.
REF: 15/13/AIR.

CONFIRMATORY MEMORANDUM (AFO 18/E/2 (5) (b))
FLYING OFFICER R.McC. STEWART. (408505) 4 SQDN.

I.
On 15 NOV 1943, A46-136, (F/O STEWART, Pilot) was conducting an Artillery Reconnaissance in the Finschafen area. He was escorted by another Boomerang and two P40's. At approximately 1100 hours whilst flying at a height of about 1500 ft and slightly north of Finschafen Strip, he was attacked by a P38 piloted by Major JOHNSON, 9 Fighter Squadron (U.S.). The P38 apparently was flying low and in the opposite direction. It fired a few bursts of tracer from beneath and into the port side of A46-136, the bullets hitting the mainplane and the port tailplane.

A46-136 lurched to starboard and lost height, the pilot dived to port to straighten and was at a height of about 500 ft when he regained control. By this time the port mainplane was on fire and the cannon ammunition was exploding. The pilot dived towards the strip, but was travelling to fast to land, and had to lift the aircraft over a river at the end of the strip, and then belly-landed into the adjoining scrub. The aircraft was then in flames and the pilot managed to escape from the cockpit. A few seconds afterwards the fire exploded the petrol in the tanks and the aircraft was completely destroyed by fire. The pilot suffered slight facial injuries.

II.
Two aircraft. A46-132. Pilot; F/O H. C. MUNRO. (10941)

III.
F/O R.McC. STEWART. (408505)
F/O H.C. MUNRO (10941)

!V-V. edited.

(C.V.Munro)
Squadron Leader,
COMMANDING NO.4 SQUADRON.
R.A.A.F.

See: NAA: A9845 206 - Boomerang A46 [Accidents Part 2].

Col.

[johnboy]

Col, thanks for the reply and information. This is what is good about sites like this in that mistakes/assumptions can be corrected. I had taken some of my information from a website that mentioned that Major Johnson was in a Thunderbolt at the time.

John