Friendly fire WWII

[Brian]

Hi Nik

Thanks for the latest incidents and explanation.

Do please keep them coming whenever you find them!

Best
Brian

[Bruce Dennis]

501 posts and no end in sight! What a thread!

Bruce

[Brian]

Thanks Bruce

But not quite so - Volume I should appear by the end of the year!

Having said that, I currently have three other books with different publishers awaiting their respective appearances! Apparently the resession is biting!

Cheers
Brian

[crolick]

Brian - I have some friendly fire incident from 1 IX 1939 but this concerns Luftwaffe. Does it counts?!


Have a nice day!
Andrzej

[Brian]

Hi Andrzej

Yes, certainly. I do have a number of incidents from the Polish war but I may not those you have found. Please advise.

Many thanks
Brian

[crolick]

Brian,

for September 1939 I have:
Hs.126 (P2+MK) from 2.(H)/21 downed on 1 IX 1939 by 2 Bf.110 from I./ZG 1 near Warszkowo. Crew (Olt. Rehdanz WIA and Lt. Schmidt) was taken POW by Polish ground units.

If anyone can trace down both German pilots whom downed Hs.126 it would be greatly appreciated!!


Andrzej

[Brian]

Hi Andrzej

Many thanks. I had details of the incident but not the names of the crew.
Excellent!

Cheers
Brian

[Fighterbeau]

I'm researching the death of Sgt Pilot Wright, who died after being hit by anti aircraft fire near Winchester in October 1942. RAF Museum very helpful, but does anyone have other information?

Mike

[Brian]

Hi Mike

All that I have noted so far is:

Beaufighter V8229 of 29 Squadron shot down at 1510 on 21 October by AA fire, the very day that an officer from AA Command came to lecture 29 Squadron on co-operation with the guns. Hit just 35 minutes into the flight, caught fire and crashed one mile west of Winchelsea, with the loss of Sgt Harold Wright and his navigator Sgt Alfred Akester. An investigation into the accident put the loss down to an “unfortunate error in recognition by the AA gunners. Fresh attention drawn to pilots and crews where rules for opening fire are unrestricted.”

Hope this helps. Are you able to add to this?
Cheers
Brian

[north_weald]

I have two involving Norwegian pilots, apologies if these are already written here. 40 plus pages is a lot!

During the Dieppe-raid, 332 sqd mistook a RAF Hawker Typhoon squadron for Focke Wulf 190's. One of the Norwegian pilots opene fire and the squadron leader was shot down. Totally sorry for not remembering the squadron involved. The squadron leader was killed in this incident. The incident is described in several books, Svein Heglunds "Høk over Høk", my own book "Gladiator" and Cato Guhnfeldts "Spitfire Saga".

A few days after the D-Day landings, 331 sqd leader Leif Lundsten was shot down by friendly Naval fire just outside the beaches of Normandie. His last doings in this world was to give the others the correct course home before he said goodbye and told them to give his regards to the people "at home" in Norway when the war was over. He crashed into the sea.

[Brian]

Thanks North Weald (I was there a few weeks ago!)

Yes, I do have those recorded but thanks all the same.

Cheers
Brian

[Nokose]

From Vitaliy Gorbach's book Над Огненной Дугой.
03Aug43
"Unpleasant incident occurred involving the 202 BAD. According to operations of the 235 IAD, at 18:25 a Pe-2 bomber, which went under escort of two Yak-1, has dropped its bombs on the Krasnyy airfield, where is based the 181 IAP. Fortunately the bombs did not cause any harm to the fighters, after falling nevertheless only within 20 meters of the flight line."

The ground crews must not have felt like there wasn't any harm.

[Brian]

Many thanks once again, Nokose.

Very much appreciated.

Cheers
Brian

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Don't know it is too late, but I found a friendly fire event in Libya on 1 December 1941.

An Italian artillery unit equiped with captured British trucks was bombed by German Stuka while attacking British poistions at Bir Berraneb (west of Bir el Gobi) and lost half of his guns, an armoured vehicle and 40 dead, including eight officers, one of them Lt-Col Dissegna, its commander.

Source: http://www.afrikakorps.org/batterievolanti.htm (in French)

40 dead is high for a "tactical" friendly fire bombing (not counting the carpet bombing used by the Allied, that were sometimes more bloody, especially in Normandy).

[Brian]

Many thanks Laurent

Excellent, a new one! Plenty of time - Middle Wast and Far East 'friendly-fires' will appear in Volume III or IV!

Cheers
Brian

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Another one, probably you know about it.

http://www.station131.co.uk/55th/Pilots/38th%20Pilots/Coonan%20John%20F%20Capt.htm

[Brian]

Hi Laurent

That's another 'new' one for me!! Excellent.

Many thanks
Brian

[Six Nifty .50s]

Many thanks Laurent

Excellent, a new one! Plenty of time - Middle Wast and Far East 'friendly-fires' will appear in Volume III or IV!

Cheers
Brian


Hi Brian,

A couple months ago I was surprised to find a used copy of BRITISH VESSELS LOST AT SEA 1939-45, 2nd Edition. A reprint of the 1947 two-volume official publication covering warships and merchant vessels and I was previously unaware of its existence.

The cause of loss descriptions are sometimes cryptic, but this is a handy little reference guide of tabular data and might be of some use to you.

[cz_raf]

Hi Brian, I suppose you know about this well known accident but as I am not visiting this thread so ofthen I have no idea if you know it or not:
On 28 June 1940, while landing on the Italian airfield of Tobruk (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tobruk) a few minutes after a British air attack, Balbo was shot down by Italian gunners and killed. The cruiser San Giorgio started firing on his Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savoia-Marchetti_SM.79) airplane (bearing the civil registration "I-MANU" in honor of his wife, Donna Manu),[12] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italo_Balbo#cite_note-11) followed by the airport's anti-air guns. It is still not clear which of them shot him down.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italo_Balbo

Pavel

[Brian]

Hi Pavel

Yes, I do have this but thanks for thinking of me!

Cheers
Brian

[Juha]

Hello Brian
still interested in these friendly fire cases?

1940-Jan-06;13:15; MBR-2; Tac Nr 5; 41 AE; Dam.; Busygin st.lt (Pilot) OK, Miroshnichenko, kapt (Nav) OK, Stepantsov ml.kom (AG/WO) OK; River Olonka; Own goal; Force-landed after attacked by 5 I-153s of VVS 8.A while it was returning from bombing mission against Mantsi. MBR-2 got appr 50 hits on engine, fuel tank etc, engine stopped, force-landed at 13:22 3km N of the mouth of the river
Source: Geust et al Red Star 5 pp. 87-88 ,179

Juha

[Brian]

Hi Juha

I trust you are well.

Many thanks for the latest - not one I had recorded! Just in time to go into Volume I, which should appear by the summer.

Cheers
Brian

[mars]

Hi Juha

I trust you are well.

Many thanks for the latest - not one I had recorded! Just in time to go into Volume I, which should appear by the summer.

Cheers
Brian

What would be the name of your new book?

[Juha]

Hello Brian
I’m more or less OK
so another MBR-2 case
1939-12-06; 12:25; MBR-2; construction nr. 14/629; 41 AE; Destr.; Tsyplakov Petr A. lt (Pilot) KIA, Petrov st.lt (Nav) WIA, kapt Belov Sergey V. (KIA), Grishkov Vasiliy ml.k-r AG/WO (KIA); Vidlitsa / Vitele; Own goal; Shot down by 4 I-16s from 49 IAP (kapt Sizov, st.lt. Murzilov, st.lt Bobrov, adj. Savushkin)
Source: Geust et al Red Star 5 pp. 64-66 ,178



Cheers
Juha

[Bruce Dennis]

Hello Brian, do you have 1x Hurricane lost (pilot killed) and 1x damaged by own ack-ack at Malta 22 January 1942?

Regards,
Bruce

[Juha]

Hello Brian
a few more


1939-11-30;; SB;; LVO; Forced down;; Veino;Own goal; Fighters of VVS KBF forced down after air surveillance service of NKVD misidentified the SB as a Ju 86
Source: Geust et al Red Star 5 p. 56

1939-11-30;; I-15bis;; 12 OIAE;W/O; Kulakov P.Ya. st.lt (Pilot) para;Khabolovo;Own goal;Shot down by SB of LVO during air-combat between 7 VVS KBF fighters and 3 SBs
Source: Geust et al Red Star 5 p. 56, 178

1939-12-01;;R-5;;; Shot down;Tereštšenko (pilot) WIA;Akkul / Leningrad Oblast;Own goal;Soviet AA shot down
Source: Vihavainen & Saharov (ed.): Tuntematon Talvisota s. 176

1939-12-01;17:00;SB;;41 SBAP;Destr.;Inozemtsev (Pilot) KIA, Vorobjov (Nav) KIA, Menšin AG/WO KIA;Ilijenš hamlet, Volosovo / Leningrad Oblast;Own goal;Shot down by a fighter which had white stripes over black, all Finnish claims on that day were over Finnish territory, so the fighter must have been a Soviet one
Source: Vihavainen & Saharov (ed.): Tuntematon Talvisota s. 181

Cheers
Juha

[Brian]

Juha - absolutely excellent. Many thanks, indeed. I would never have found any of these without your help. Great stuff.

Bruce - yes, I do have the Malta incidents noted. Thanks.

Mars - the series will be called, I believe, "BLUE ON BLUE: Aerial Friendly Fire WWII"

Cheers
Brian

[Bruce Dennis]

I'll try another one: do you have the 7th July 1943 night time bombing of Boise City, Oklahoma, by a student bombadier? He thought the lit up city was a bombrange ...

Bruce

[Brian]

Hi Bruce

Now that really sounds interesting! Please e-mail me with what you have.

Cheers
Brian

PS: Hope to get to Kew next Thursday (I will have to confirm). Any chance you might be there?

[Bruce Dennis]

Pretty good chance, and I can show you the original source for the Oklahoma atrocity.
TTFN,
Bruce

[Adriano Baumgartner]

BRIAN,
Found this one, although I am sure you do have it....
Fantastic subject you will be writing on...we will be waiting for the series...
Yours
Adriano
Here it goes:
Wilhelm Steinmann was born on 15 January 1912 at Nürnberg. He joined the Luftwaffe in 1936 and trained as a bomber pilot. Steinmann served with 3./KG 53 from 1939 to 1941. He later served as Technischer Offizier with II./Fliegerkorps. He then underwent conversion training to become a fighter pilot. On 6 October 1942, Steinmann was posted to the Gruppenstab of I./JG 27 based on the Channel front (http://www.luftwaffe.cz/kanal.html). He was serving with 3./JG 27 when he recorded his first victory on 18 May 1943, a RAF Typhoon fighter-bomber shot down over the Channel. On 1 June, Steinmann claimed a RAF Spitfire shot down. However, he had made a mistake in identification and had shot down a Bf 109 G-6 flown by the Gruppenkommandeur of I./JG 27, Hauptmann Erich Hohagen (56 victories, RK). Hohagen was forced to bail out of his Bf 109 G-6 (W.Nr. 16 391) but had been wounded in the incident.

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Found this one today, while searching Google News for crash details in Canada

On 17 July 1943 a RCAF aircraft bombed an outdoor dance at Roseland, Manitoba, believing he was over a bombing range. A young girl was killed.

Source (1943 newspapers):
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GPouAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8dsFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3691,560242&dq=training+aircraft&hl=en

[Brian]

Thanks Adriano and Laurent

Excellent material. Keep 'em coming!

Cheers
Brian

[Observer1940]

Hello Brian
One for your book, it now appears from my research that one of the two RAF Whitleys which crashed into a balloon 15th August 1940 near Eastleigh was involved in a friendly fire incident before the collision and crash.

14-15 August 1940 Headquarters No.4 Group

Two aircraft fouled balloon cables and crashed on return, one aircraft shot at by friendly aircraft but no damage. The other aircraft having engine and intercom trouble.

I have traced the "other aircraft" okay in the Squadron and Station ORBs and also the No.4 Group Signal in the appendices regarding Whitley P4982 which hit the balloon barrage of 956 Squadron Langley, HQ Colnbrook.

Whitley P5044
However, the Signal for Whitley P5044 is missing in the No.4 Group Appendices.

I have had two 'phone conversations with a Mr Stenhouse in New Zealand who learnt from an August 1940 AA Battery Commander that Captain Stenhouse who is commemorated at Fawley, Hampshire was shot down and I have had another conversation with a family relative of the crew who learnt after the war from a former Serviceman in the area that the Whitley crew buried at Fawley All Saints had been in an incident and only just made it back before crashing.

I have the last 16 miles sound track plotted, the height given the Winchester Centre was 10,000 feet, but the plane [later given as a British Plane] lost height and crashed into the Balloon Barrage at Eastleigh 03.30 (RAF 924 Balloon Squadron time); 03.34 hours 35th AA Brigade / 5th Div AA HQ time and 03.35 hrs the Observer Post time.

"Ms" is entered against the C of I number on the Flying Accident Card which meant the Inquiry was "Incomplete".
Cause "F6" meaning "Loss of control after hitting or avoiding obstacles in bad visibility" was ruled out and changed to "F9" meaning "Obscure".
"F8" meaning “Miscellaneous” (was later in 1940, split into F8A - Airframe Defects and F8B - Miscellaneous).
Finally "F4" which meant "Flying into ground, sea or hills in cloud or fog" was given as the primary cause.

These being standard RAF Flying Accident Cause Groupings for analysis purposes by Air Ministry Department S4, "F" meant the accident occurred whilst "In Flight"

It would appear that the Eastleigh Balloon Barrage was being likened to a hill and the cable was struck almost immediately after the Whitley descended out of the cloud base. However, exactly what happened before Eastleigh has been a family mystery for 70 years, the Air Ministry only told the family that they flew up Southampton Water, crossed the coast near Southampton and struck a balloon over Eastleigh, but according to the sound plots they had already crossed the coast and were first plotted near Fareham, by the Observer Post. The Members of the Observer Posts at Havant; Lee on Solent and Marchwood were all called in to the Winchester Centre later in the day.

“Red Flares” a visual sign of an aircraft sending a wireless Distress signal were seen South-east of Sandown, IOW at 03.23 before the crash. Incidentally, the Balloon Barrages were raised at 03.22 hrs. The GPO Log of Casualty Calls indicates Niton received an SOS from an unknown aircraft. The August 1940 Monthly Returns of Distress Broadcasts to aircraft flying over the sea, from the GPO Director of Wireless Telegraphy to the Air Ministry indicates RAF Gosport requested Niton transmit a “Distress Broadcast” to an aircraft. Unfortunately, neither documents note the time, or any details.

The Accident was reported to the AIB (Accidents Investigation Branch) and recorded on their "U" Index which meant that there was either one, or more of the following:
Forced parachute descent
(a) Where a Court of Inquiry is to be convened under KR (Kings Regulations) 1326
(b) where the accident may in the opinion of the CO be due to:-
(i) failure of any part of the aircraft
(ii) a defect in workmanship, design or material
(iii) a part of the aircraft catching fire in the air
(iv) compass defects
(v) any obscure cause

I have tried AVIA 5/19 and 42 and only discovered that the "U" accidents list were investigated by the AIB, a few other examples I found included structural failure, catching fire and one due to bad weather.

Has anyone come across any other information about this incident in their searches at The National Archives, or have any other sources of information please?
Research by Mark R. Hood 2010.
Grandson of the Observer Sgt Hood

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Hi Brian, a new case (for me), and an Italian one, with details (sadly in Italian language, but Google translated enough for me to check it may interest you)

An Italian transport BA.44 flying from Albania shot down by CR.42 on 15 April 1941: http://quandogliaereiavevanolelica.myblog.it/archive/2009/12/21/breda-ba-44-vita-operativa.html

[Brian]

Thanks Mark - I do have this incident recorded (I have also been following your posts). But thanks all the same.

Thanks Laurent - yes, a completely new one for me also. Very grateful for your continued help.

Cheers
Brian

[Rifleman62]

Just joined this forum. The following is a FF, air to ground. Does anyone have knowledge of this incident?

Assist in my research for the following seven Riflemen, who were killed/died of wounds, as the result of an accidental strafing by a Mustang in the town of Saint George-de-Groselliers, Normandy, France:


To provide some background information:
The seven with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles were taken prisoners by the Germans, possibly on D-Day or anytime between D-Day and June 11, 1944. Although the Commonwealth War Graves Commission lists dates of four deaths as June 8, 1944, they were definitely killed or wounded on June 11, 1944. I have an article that was written by a French priest, who attended the dead and dying. This article was written in 1964 and verifies the actual dates of the deaths.

POW's from the Royal Winnipeg Rifles, as well POW's from the North Nova Scotia Highlanders and Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa were marching in a column, four abreast, and behind the Germans, when the four Mustangs appeared. The first Mustang strafed the column. One of the POW's, reportedly, Sgt. Bob Higgins, North Novas, waved his jacket and the other Mustangs left without further shooting.

Thirty POW's were injured; of these, ten were killed and were buried in the civil cemetery in Saint Georges-de-Groselliers; and four others died as results of their wounds; three of the four were buried in the civil cemetery in La Chapelle au Moine, Normandy. A fourth who died of wounds was buried in a location yet unknown. The 14 POW's were eventually buried at the Bretteville-Sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery, in Calvados, France.

The townspeople took great care to remove ID's and anything the men had in their pockets, and the mayor and his staff recorded each item, referencing this information to specific graves which had been dug in the civil cemetery. The records and items were kept until the war ended and the graves concentration units arrived in the area and then everything was handed over to the graves units.

[meonthebay]

This is an update to my first posting:

It has been recently reported that there were 39 POW's injured; 10 of whom died immediately, and 5 of the injured later dies of their wounds.

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Found this one today, and not able to check it with another source:

On the 24th March 1943, a BF 109E (Werkn 1987) of the Frontreparatur Werk 7 Erla stationed at Deurne crashed at Boechout, Belgium. The pilot was Ofw Reinhardt Jochmann who was able to bale out, but he reached the ground wounded. This aircraft was shot down in error at 1215 hours by Ofw Detlev Lüth of JG 1.

Source:
http://www.lwag.org/forums/archive/index.php/t-1249.html (http://www.lwag.org/forums/archive/index.php/t-1249.html)
http://maps.google.fr/maps?hl=fr&source=hp&q=Boechout (http://maps.google.fr/maps?hl=fr&source=hp&q=Boechout)

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Another interesting case: a Wellington downed by an Allied balloon barrage... after flying purposely into it !

By the way, I found two dates for Wellington P9210 destruction, 23 and 24 March 1942, and would like which one is the correct one.

Source:
http://www1.somerset.gov.uk/archives/hes/downloads/AHH_Culmhead_screen.pdf
(context of the loss, search P9210 and read the sentences before this word)
http://www.bbrclub.org/Tiger%20Hawkins%20AFC.htm (details of the pilot, of the crash and picture of the pilot besides the wreck)

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Some days are like that... every foray in Google today brings me another "friendly fire" case. I swear I'm not searching these !

26 October 1942: Ju 87 D-1 WNr 2629 of III./StG 1 shot down by German artillery shell near Strelitsy, USSR. Both crew (Hptm Heinz Fischer (pilot and Staka 7./StG 1) and Uffz Fritz Zethmeier (radio)) were killed

More details (in French):
http://www.luftfahrtverlag-start.de/LiFEdition13Franzoesisch.pdf

[Observer1940]

Hello All

Were you aware that the ratio of aircraft and crews lost to balloons in early WW2, British to German was 4:1?

Four British aircraft, for every (One) German aircraft and even some of those German aircraft were shared with AA.

In March 1941, Arthur T. Harris was absolutely livid and furious with the Chief of the Air Staff when he realised how many crews and aircraft had already been lost since the beginning of the war.

Mark

[Jan.Safarik]

Hello Brian

Georgii Dmitriyevich Kostylev (Костылев Георгий Дмитриевич) and Igor Aleksandrovich Kaberov (Каберов Игорь Александрович) from 2nd eskadrilya 3st GIAP KBF on Hurricane aircraft destroyed one I-153 of Petr Ignatyevich Biskup (Бискуп Пётр Игнатьевич) from 4. GIAP KBF over Nizino airfield in July 1942.

Sources:
Абрамов, Александр: Красные соколы, Лучшие Асы России, 1914 - 1953 гг., http://airaces.narod.ru/.
Šedivý, Miloš - Dymič, Valerij: Triumf a tragédie, Sovětští stíhací letci v bojích II. světové války, Svět křídel 2001.

JAN

[NUPPOL]

What was name of POW died-burial unknown?

[Brian]

Thanks for all the latest gen.

Volume I of Blue-on-Blue (1939/1940) is currently being 'processed' so hopefully something will appear before long!!

Cheers
Brian

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Another case?

29 December 1944: Four Typhoons attacked power station at Nijmegen, four rounds were fired by 365 Bty, 115 HAA Rgt. Typhoons dived to 800 ft and were escorted away by Spitfires.

Source:
http://www.royalartilleryunitsnetherlands1944-1945.com/pageID_6269690.html

[Laurent Rizzotti]

German friendly case on 6 November 1939:

"eine in Zwischenahn zur Zieldarstellung gestartete W34 mit 3 Mann Besatzungn ist von der Flak, sdl. von Hamburg, um 2147 Uhr abgeschossen worden.
Die Besatzung hatte offensichtlich die Orientierung verloren und sich am südlichen Stadtrand von Hamburg aufgehalten.
Um 2120 Uhr und 2124 Uhr erhält die Maschine deutsches Flakfeuer und schießt deutsche Erkennungssignale. Um 2125 wird die W34 von einem Scheinwerferkegel erfaßt und um 2131 einwandfrei als deutsch gemeldet. Um 2133 Uhr wird sogar das Balkenkreuz erkannt. Trotzdem erhält die Maschine um 2142 Uhr nochmals Flakfeuer. Um 2147 Uhr gehen drei Besatzungsmitglieder mit dem Fallschirm zur Erde nieder und wurden in ein Krankenhaus eingeliefert.
"

Google traduction (too lazy (and sick...) today to do better):
"one is in Zwischenahn for target simulation started with three men W34 Besatzungn by flak, sdl from Hamburg, was shot at 2147 Clock.
The crew had apparently lost their way and stayed on the southern outskirts of Hamburg.
To 2120 and 2124 Clock Clock, the machine is replaced by German antiaircraft fire and shoots German recognition signals. To 2125, the W34 is caught by a spotlight at 2131 and fully reported as German. 2133 Clock To even the cross bar is detected. Nevertheless, the machine is replaced by 2142 Clock flak again. 2147 Clock To go with three crew members parachuted to the ground and were taken to hospital."

Source:
http://www.luftfahrtspuren.de/forum/viewtopic.php?t=61

No other data, to check with people having German 1939 loss lists

Best regards

Laurent

[Brian]

Many thanks once again, Laurent.

Excellent - another 'new' one for me!

Cheers
Brian

[FlyNavy]

Hello Brian,

I joined recently and noticed two FAA-related friendly fire incidents mentioned in some of the earliest posts in this thread. I may have some information of interest:

28 May 1940: two Skuas 806 Sqn FAA reported attacks by Curtiss off Dunkerque.

Although Sturtivant does mention French Curtiss as attackers, White Section of 806 Sqn (less one aircraft, which had crashed on take-off from Manston) was attacked by RAF Spitfires, according to 806 Sqn. survivors (e.g., see the 'Skua' book by Smith).
The only source giving a few details on the attackers is Air Enthusiast Issue no. 8: Green and Swanborough mention 66 Squadron Spitfires and report that stories of 'Voughts' (V-156Fs), supposedly in German hands, circulated as an explanation for the incident.

24/7/40: Two Skuas 808 Squadron shot down by Spitfires from 610 Squadron. Serial numbers of Skuas? Both force-landed at Worthy Down.

808 Sqn. was formed with 12 Fulmars in July 1940, not Skuas. Fulmar serial numbers are given by Sturtivant and there are two or three aircraft that seemingly have no history after delivery to 808 Sqn.
Do you have any details on this incident?

Best Regards

[Brian]

Hi FlyNavy

Yes, I have. My research has different conclusions as will be seen in Volume I of Flying Sailors at War, hopefully to appear in June.

If you are desperate for the information, however, send me a PM

Cheers
Brian

[park20]

Brian
My father survived a friendly fire incident while on patrol at night in the Pacific.
He was one of Black Mac's killers in VMF(N)-533 ca.1945
I cannot give exact details about everything but the story is fascinating. I have a few pics of the Hellcat he brought home

would be willing to re-tell the story as best i can in an email

clay.parkhill@yahoo.com

[Brian]

Hi Clay

Yes please, I would be delighted to receive an account. Please contact me briancullauthor@fsmail.net

Many thanks
Brian

[Terry Maker]

One for your book, from the archives:

"On 22/10/44, (22/11/44 according to some sources), F/O John Francis Anthony Raynes, of 148 Squadron RAF, (Special Duties – S.O.E.) "C" Flight, was flying Lysander T1456, near Udine, Italy, en route to Southern Austria, during a daylight operation from Northern Italy, when he was attacked, and shot down.

His attacker was a USAAF P-51 of 325th Fighter Group.

F/O J.F.A. Rayns, was killed, as were his passengers, described variously as three Italian agents, or two SOE decorated captains, who were agents involved in the TEMPLAR Mission."

reported in Carpetbaggers Roll of Honour. and CWGC

Terry Maker, Operation: Dark of the Moon
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/operationdarkofthemoon/

[Jan.Safarik]

Dear Brian

I don't know whether I wrote it to you but I managed to find new information to my article Nevydařená „Čajka“ which was published in REVI magazine. So far unknown Soviet pilot who shot down Vaclav Ohem over Eastern Germany was Umyarov (Умяров). I hope it will help you.

Source: Režňák, Libor: Ocelový hřebec MiG-19 a československé letectvo 1958-1972, Svět křídel, Cheb 2008.

Best regards
JAN

[Jan.Safarik]

Soviet pilots shot down by mistake French plane Potez 540, F-A000 in Spain on 3rd December 1936. After the emergency landing the plane broke down and burned down. One of the passengers, French journalist Louis Delapree, died. The plane should have been shot down by a group of Evgenii Yefimovich Yerlikin (Евгений Ефимович Ерлыкин), some sources present pilots Nikolai Ivanovich Shmelkov (Николай Иванович Шмельков) and Georgii Nefedovich Zakharov (Георгий Нефедович Захаров)
(page 74)


The pilots of Legion Condor shot down by mistake one plane Ro.37bis on 10th December 1936, the crew Jose Company F. Bernal and Rafael Jimenes Benamu were injured.
(page 75)

Source:
# Абросов, Сергей Владимирович: Воздушная война в Испании. Хроника воздушных сражений 1936-1939 гг., Издатель: Яуза, Эксмо, 2008, ISBN: 978-5-699-25288-6. / Abrosov, S.V.: Vozdusnaja vojna v Ispanii. Chronika vozdusnych srazenij 1936-1939 gg. M., Jauza, 2008.

[ # Абросов, Сергей Владимирович: В небе Испании 1936-1939 годы, Издательство: г.Москва, без издательства, 2003, ISBN: 5-08-0040-89-0.]

Best regards
JAN

[Terry Maker]

Further information to my earlier post regarding F/O J.F.A.Rayns, (sometimes spelt 'Raynes') the following additional information has just come into my hands,

"The Lysander appears to have been identified by the Mustang pilot as a Henshel 123."

Terry Maker

OPERATION: Dark of the Moon

[FlyNavy]

Brian,

here's an odd friendly fire incident, reported by Peter C. Smith in his book "Eagle's War", p. 55:

"On 4 September, passing to the South of Crete, an enemy dive-bombing attack was made on Eagle, at sunset (1900). The bombs fell very close, close enough in fact to put the dynamo out of action for lighting and supplying power to the pom-pom mounting. Consequently this weapon could not open fire for several vital minutes. An emergency call was sent to Illustrious for fighter protection and three Fulmars still in the air duly arrived and were greeted by being fired on by Eagle's AA guns! These proved so effective that the Fulmars had to land on owing to damage."

The bomber attack was, probably, not a true dive-bombing one, as the newly-operational Italian Ju.87s of 96° Gr., based in Sicily, wouldn't have the range. Bombers might have come instead from one of the Italian airfields in the Aegean.

Best regards

Claudio

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Air-to-sea friendly attack on 15 july 1940:

German bombing sank Estonian steamer MERISAAR (2136grt), captured by U.99 on the 12th, off Queenstown. The German prize crew was rescued and made prisoners of war.

Source:
http://www.naval-history.net/xDKWW2-4007-20JUL02.htm

This thread will not die ....

[Brian]

Thanks Laurent

I had missed that one!!

Cheers - trust you are well

Brian

PS: Thanks also Terry, Jan and Claudio for your recent contributions - all very useful and of great interest.

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Hi Brian,

Thansk, I am fine and hope you are too.

A new (for me) case: a He 111 of KG 3 shot down by a German ship off Netherlands on the evening of 30 July 1944

http://www.wingstovictory.nl/database/pdf/615-story.pdf

The above site is interesting as it gives many details, and will put together wartime reports. One possible problem is that they all are in their original language (here Dutch and German).

[Brian]

Once again my thanks, Laurent.

Cheers
Brian

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Hi Brian,

You very probably have the story of the battle between US PT boats and aircraft near Green Islands on 29 April 1944.

The full list of casualties (killed and wounded) can be found here:
http://www.seabees93.net/GI%20RIP.htm (http://www.seabees93.net/GI%20RIP.htm)

[Brian]

Thanks Laurent

I didn't have the list of casualties - much appreciated.

Cheers
Brian

[Gunther]

I've been off this site for a long time and haven't tried to read all the posts on this thread--that would be a book which we can all hope Brian will publish! There was an incident over the Indochina coast Jan 12 '45 when Marine Corsairs off the Essex shot down a 14th AF B-24. I've seen the file in USMC archives, containing a still photo from the F4U gun camera. It's somewhat blurry but clearly shows no star/bar on the wings and apparently none on the fuselage. The CAP was vectored to investigate the bogey, which opened fire. The marines ID'd it as a Liberator but because it shot at them, they figured it was Japanese-flown. Presumably it was from the 308th BG, the only Lib unit I know of in 14th AF.

[Leendert]

This B-24 was 42-73249 of 308th BG/374th BS. MACR 11163.
There's a story about it from a relative of one of the crew on this website:
http://www.usaaf-in-cbi.com/308th_web/mail_308.htm

Scroll down to the post by Tom Osbore, dated 30-Oct-98.

Regards,

Leendert

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Hi Brian, I know you have already this case, a B-29 shot down by a Beaufighter on 20 December 1944, but maybe this will give you some new details:
http://www.40thbombgroup.org/memories/Memories57.pdf

[Leendert]

British side of this B-29 shoot down by a Beaufighter is described on p.101 of this link: http://www.rquirk.com/cdnradar/seacradarfile2b.pdf

Beaufighter 'M' of 89 Squadron on Practice Intercept flown by S/L Morrison, WO Powell and F/L Donner.

Regards,


Leendert

[Laurent Rizzotti]

A search on the forum finds nothing about this loss: on 29 November 1944 a Fw 200 of Lufthansa flying to Stockholm crashed off Falsterbo, Sweden, probably shot down by the Flak of German patrol ships. All ten men aboard (7 Germans, 2 Swedes and 1 Japanese) were killed.

Sources (using Google translation):
http://www.olyckspost.se/airmail/falsterbo.php (http://www.olyckspost.se/airmail/falsterbo.php)
http://www.sydsvenskan.se/omkretsen/vellinge/article322013/Nedskjutet-plan-kan-ge-fler-historiska-pusselbitar.html (http://www.sydsvenskan.se/omkretsen/vellinge/article322013/Nedskjutet-plan-kan-ge-fler-historiska-pusselbitar.html)

Brian if you have more on this case I will be interested.

[Leendert]

This was Fw-200 Condor D-ARHW "Friesland".

Regards,

Leendert

[Brian]

Hi Laurent

I have the identities of crew and passengers. An official investigation concluded that the aircraft had been shot down, possibly in error for a US bomber.

Cheers
Brian

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Hi Brian,

I will be interested in the list of crew and passengers of this Condor.

Still finding new (for me) cases.

30th May 1944

At 4:00, the german operation starts after a 20min artillery barrage and air strikes. I./KG4's He 111 bomb enemy artillery positions, claiming an enemy fighter during the mission. The first two german fighter claims around the end of the artillery preparation are a Sturmovik and a Airacobra.
During the first two hours, three times Stukas attack own troops, once even a first-aid station. Two of these friendly-fire incidents affect 23.PzDiv, which is operating on the right wing of the ground forces. Reportedly, this is caused by romanian Stukas, who themselves loose four planes in 93 sorties during the day.

Source:
http://www.yogysoft.de/Bessarabia_5-2.htm

Best regards

Laurent

[Darius]

Hello friends,

I have here some friendly fire attacks of german aircraft against german troops during the invasion of Greece. I have this data from Golla, Karl-Heinz: Der Fall Griechenlnds 1941, p. 134ff.

06.04.1941:
a) in the morning troops (mainly III./InfRgt 125) attacking the "Werk E" of the greece fortress-system Usita-Paljurjones are bombed by Stuka - there are "erhebliche Verluste".
b) in the morging, during attack of the 3./PiBtl 659 and III./GebJgRgt 85 on the "Werk Istibei-West", some Stukas missed the targets and dropped bombs against the positions of GebArtRgt 95 (5 dead, 3 wounded) and vehicles-column of FlaMGBtl 609 (8 vehicles are destroyed).
c) in the afternoon a Hs 126 bombed accidently the positions of GebJgRgt 85 (6 dead, 6 severly wounded).

Greetings

Darius

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Regarding the post of Darius, I'm not sure German Hs 126 were carrying bombs during their missions, but it may a misprint for Hs 123 (don't remember if some were used during the Greek campaign) or it could be a Greek Hs 126 (some were in service at the start of the Italian-Greek war in 1940, and so may have flown over the frontline this day.

A new case for me, reminding modern computers: when an intelligent weapon just proves dumb...

http://www.royalnavyresearcharchive.org.uk/ESCORT/BITER.htm

[Bill Walker]

I don't recall if this was posted before, but it is friendly fire, sort of.

http://www.bombercommandmuseum.ca/s,canard.html

[Brian]

Belated thanks guys for the latest.

Bill, what a story. It will certainly find its place in the appropriate volume.

Incidentally, Volume I (1939-40) should appear before Christmas - fingers crossed.

Cheers
Brian

[mars]

Belated thanks guys for the latest.

Bill, what a story. It will certainly find its place in the appropriate volume.

Incidentally, Volume I (1939-40) should appear before Christmas - fingers crossed.

Cheers
Brian

would you please tell me the name of your book? Thanks!

[Brian]

Hi Mars

The series - probably five volumes, soft cover, each about 220 good-quality pages (but no photographs) - will be called:

BLUE-ON-BLUE: Aerial Friendly Fire in World War II & Associated Miscellaneous Incidents

Volume I covers Northern Europe 1939-1940: British, French, Polish, German and Neutrals

Probably £19.99 plus postage.

Initially available from me direct, although there will be a website when established by Tally Ho! Publishing

To follow:
Volume II: Northern and Eastern Europe 1941-1943 (incl USAAF)
Volume III: Northern and Eastern Europe 1944-1945 (ditto)
Volume IV: Middle East & Mediterranean 1940-1945
Volume V: Far East incl Indian Ocean and Pacific 1941-1945

Cheers
Brian

[mars]

Thanks, Brian, that explains why I can not find this book on amazon, please let us know how to purchase it, it would be lot better if we can buy it via a web site.

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Hi Brian,

Is vol I available now ?

Found today a case for vol IV, that you may allready have: a Boston of 18 Sqn RAF on evening of 7 February 1944:

http://www.baseballinwartime.com/in_memoriam/dean_george.htm

[mpierrela]

Hi guys

I have just joined your honourable guild of aviation experts. I am conducting research into friendly fire incidents for my new book. I am interested in all such incidents concerning misidentification in the air during WWII, and seek your help. My two-volume study covers all air forces, in all theatres of the war. Quite an undertaking, no doubt you will agree. My draft already contains hundreds of recorded incidents but I am sure there are more to be uncovered. Please help!

This is one for you...

http://rcaf403squadron.wordpress.com/2011/11/05/flying-officer-alexander-george-borland/

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Incident on 7 December 1944:

A curious record of a standby call for the lifeboat exists in the Station records for the 7th Decemeber 1944. At 8:15pm the Coxswain George Kelly, received a call from the Coastguards at Ramsey requesting the crew immediately assemble and standby. A little over an hour later a second phone call stating that the crew could stand down as the 'position of the destoryer was OK'. The destroyer involved and the nature of its difficulties is not recorded.
However , A Corkills' Dictionary of Shipwrecks off the IoM records that on the night of 7th December 1944, the 190 foot long, steamship Glenmaroon, of Belfast, was bound from Larne for Ellesmere Port, with a cargo of empty petrol cans.
She was about 22 miles east-southeast of Douglas Head when through the darkness and snow squalls came the noise of an aircraft engine, approaching closer and closer. Incredibly the unknown aircraft attacked the Glenmaroon, causing damage to the starboard side of the vessel and started a fierce fire as well as holing the ship. The Glenmaroon began to settle. The lamp trimmer was cut off on the foredeck by the fire, so climbed the port rigging of the foremast and slid down the preventer wire from near the masthead, and managed to get past the fire. Three crewmen were lost when the ship foundered. The destroyer HMS Clare picked up Captain Adair and the survivors.
It has been subsequently discovered that the attacking aircraft was British and had attacked the Glenmaroon by mistake.

Source:
http://www.portstmarylifeboat.org.im/Harrison.htm

A search on CWGC (using Geoff's search engine) finds the three lost crew, Fireman John Dooley, Fireman Christopher Myers and Able Seaman John Redmond.

Best regards

[Brian]

Thanks for that, Laurent

Now, we need to find out which RAF unit involved.

Hopefully someone will provide additional details.

Cheers
Brian

[Laurent Rizzotti]

On 12 January 1945 Marine aviators operating from CV USS Essex shot down an USAAF B-24 off Indochina: http://www.airgroup4.com/book/indx/index18.htm

No ID of lost aircraft there but some extracs of reports by Marine airmen.

Best regards

[Thierry K]

incident on 4 April 1945
Four P-51 D of 354th FG/353rd FS flying low were hit by allied armored vehicles. Lt Earl Marshall flying 44-63732 reported he was hit but still following his leader just before to disappear in a cloud formation.(macr 13845)
From Steve Blake's Pionner Mustang Group History

[Leendert]

Re post 583 by Laurent: victim was B-24J 42-73249 of 308th BG/374th BS, pilot Lt Robert E. Churgin, lost on a long range patrol off Indochina (Cam Ranh Bay and up) on 12 Jan 45.

Regards,

Leendert

[Brian]

Thanks guys

Great stuff!

An excellent resurgence of friendly fire incidents.

Cheers and Happy New Year.

Brian

[Observer1940]

Hello Brian

I have not been religiously following this thread. Therefore, I don't know if you have this one or not. However, an Eric Carter was on the Jeremy Vine BBC Radio programme around midday yesterday 10th January 2012 about his 2nd World War service flying Spitfires and he recalled being shot at by the ground over Liverpool.

I presume you have been through the Crash Logs by Smith and also those by Dr N. Roberts compiled in the 1970s.

I wished, I had kept a separate list of such incidents, as I have come across quite a few references over the years amongst TNA files, some in RAF / AM files dealing with actions / Policy against the GAF or with "enemy" in the file title!

Regards Mark

[Boomerang]

Hello Brian:

I don't think I've seen the following incident reported before, but it is quite a job to confirm that. It's from a secondary source, but what better place to look for more information than here?

Franz Kurowski's Panzer Aces includes the following in its account of Franz Bake's service. The book dates the incident as taking place early on 13 July 1943 and involved the headquarters staff of the 6th Panzer Division, taking part in the Kursk offensive:

"The headquarters staff of the 6th Panzer Division hurried outside to watch the attack. The Stukas bombed the forward Russian lines, while the following He 111 bombers dropped heavy bombs on the troop concentrations in the rear. At the end of the attack one He 111...dropped its bombs when directly over the headquarters of the 6th Panzer Division. All of the officers and commanders standing the open were either killed or wounded... Total casualties from the disaster were fifteen dead and forty nine wounded.'

There are names of some of the killed, including a Major von Bieberstein, commander of the 114th Panzer Grenadier Regiment.

Hope that's of some use.

Finally, IMHO Panzer Aces is full of absurd stories pitched at 12 year olds - it's not on my recommended list!

Cheers

Don W

[Brian]

Thanks for the latest, Mark and Don.

Much appreciated.

Cheers
Brian

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Hello Brian,

Don't remember to have read it here. On 15 April 1941 an Italian Ba.44 (MM.60423) was shot down in error by a CR.42 over the Albanian front.

Source (in Italian):
http://www.alieuomini.it/catalogo/dettaglio2_catalogo/22/3

Best regards

[Brian]

Excellent material once again, Laurent.

Many thanks. A completely 'new' friendly fire incident for me!

Cheers
Brian

[Laurent Rizzotti]

An article (in French) about an US B-24 shot down by a P-61 on 10 November 1944:
http://francecrashes39-45.net/recits_avions/42-51226.pdf?PHPSESSID=14a844156e122cab3eb8ec51876c42 9e

[Brian]

Super stuff, Laurent

Keep it coming!

Cheers
Brian

[NUPPOL]

http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=29278

http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=29336

[Laurent Rizzotti]

A P-51 of 309th FS shot down by B-24 gunners on 16 April 1944 (not 15 as written there):
http://forum.armyairforces.com/m161860-print.aspx

[Laurent Rizzotti]

This one is in Russian:
http://allaces.ru/p/people.php?id=00000000420

On 17 January 1944 Ml.Lt Fedor Grigorevich Trutnev of 129 GIAP was shot down in error and killed by AA gunners. This took place probably in Kirovograd area.

[Brian]

Thanks again, Laurent

You should consider writing a book!!

Cheers
Brian

[Laurent Rizzotti]

You're welcome Brian. Maybe one day but right now I have only time to do it as an hobby.

You should have this one, but maybe not with so much details : a Lufthansa Ju 52 shot down near Belgrade on 17 April 1944:

On 17 April 1944 the 82nd FG flew as escort for a B-17 5th Wing mission to Belgrade. Their 97th FS were the only squadron to engage enemy aircraft in the air. They encountered 2 Ju 52s and 2 He 111s some 20 miles NE of Belgrade. 1/Lt. William W. Patterson shot down one Ju 52. The remaining Ju 52 and one of the He 111s were both hit by more than one of the P-38 pilots and shot down. After gun camera review Patterson was given credit for the He 111 while Captain James A. Force,Jr. was credited with the second Ju 52. The second He 111 escaped. The American pilots thought the enemy aircraft might have been returning to base after being scrambled on warning of the incoming raid.

Patterson was later awarded the Silver Star for this action. Apparently the gunner in the He 111 that was shot down damaged three P-38s, two of which were later crash-landed in Italy and were written off. The third damaged P-38 was Patterson’s, but he managed to land safely at an airfield in Italy with one engine shot out.

Ju 52/3m g8e W.Nr. 130859 1Z+FH of 1./TG 1 came down in flames at Pancevo. All 4 crew members were injured, however, the pilot, Ofw. Willi Lichy, died at the military hospital 521 at Belgrade on the same day.

Second victim was unarmed Ju 52/3m g14e W.Nr. 640996 D-AOCA “Harry Rother”, which was enroute on Lufthansa’s scheduled service E.17 from Vienna to Belgrade, continuing to Sofia, Thessaloniki and Athens with a crew of 3. Aboard were 4 passengers and a large load of mail. The radio operator had noticed the downing of the other Ju 52 and the crew tried to escape in vain by changing direction and flying close to the ground. Hits were received from the rear and from starboard and the plane caught fire immediately. It crashed at Stara Pazova (Alt-Pasua in German reports) about 26 km north of Semlin (Zemun) airfield. Three of the four passengers, among them a Red Cross nurse, were killed in the crash while the fourth died at hospital after two days. The pilot, 47 year old Flugkapitän Kurt Vogel, died of his serious injuries on 23 April 1944, while the two other crew members survived with only minor injuries.

Source:
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=23304
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stara_Pazova
http://www.maplandia.com/serbia-and-montenegro/vojvodina/stara-pazova/

[Thierry K]

Hi Laurent,
One more found by chance, nice picture of a friendly flak fire hole in a Defiant. F/O Desmond McMullen and Sgt Fairweather unhurt.
www.acesofww2.com/UK/aces/mcmullen.html
Cordialement, Thierry

[Brian]

Hi Thierry

Thanks for the lead.

However, something definitely wrong with the caption.

Not A/G 'Sgt Fairweather' for a start! The person pictured is a Flight Lieutenant pilot!

Mac is wearing Squadron Leader stripes, so not Flying Officer!

And I would guess that is not a Defiant, but possibly a Mosquito!

So if that picture depicts friendly AA fire it happened later in the war.

I will bear this 'incident' in mind when researching later volumes of the Blue on Blue series.

Thanks
Brian

[mhuxt]

Definitely not a Mosquito Brian; metal fuselage!

[Brian]

Thanks Mark

Just in the process of wiping egg off face!

Cheers
Brian

[Observer1940]

Hello Brian

We have been led to believe that this accident 13.6.1940 Hampden P4345 was caused by a balloon collision.

However, Statements uncovered indicate that a shot was fired and the Hampden had begun to disintegrate before impact.

Cpl J. Dowell NCO of the "Apron Guard" said that he heard the plane in the balloon barrage area and at the same time "heard the percussion of what sounded like a shot".

The Hampden crashed into Marriage & Sons Flour Mill, in Felixstowe Docks.

F/O Myles confirmed that the Hampden had struck a balloon barrage cable over the estuary of the river Orwell off Felixstowe and further stated that "the aircraft appeared to have disintegrated somewhat, both immediately before, and upon impact, as small parts of wreckage, maps, etc. were recovered from the vicinity." In another attached report he states that the balloon was the sole agent in bringing the aircraft down.

F/O Stanley W. Tinham states in his Statement that an "Action Warning" was on and off until 02.35 hrs 13th June 1940 and that the balloons had been raised because of the action warning.

The balloon was "Water borne @ 2,500' " [2,500 feet] per A.M. 1180 Accident Card. The accident time was given as 02.35 hrs and an Air Ministry list gives the aircraft impact height 2,500 feet.

Official Air Ministry records indicate that Balloon Command were forbidden from flying balloons in that estuary above 1,000 feet.

My comment: Not only had the balloons been raised against a friendly aircraft, but the balloon struck was 1,500 feet higher than the height permitted by the Air Ministry.

Mark

[Thierry K]

Hi Brian
You are right, Desmond McMullen (with cap) was F/Lt when flying Defiants of 151 Sqn from December 1940 to July 1941. His turret gunner was Sgt Fairweather (maybe not the guy on the pic ?)
Friendly AA fire confirmed by McMullen's son Roddy.
Regards, Thierry

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Don't think it is on this list so far: on 17 November 1944 Romanian Ju 87 were attacked over Hungary by Soviet fighters (their new allies since 3 months) and two were shot down (2 KIA, 2 WIA).

The site is in Hungarian, but a Google translation works well, the battle story is at the end of the webpage:
http://avionics.hu/Rom%C3%A1n+L%C3%A9gier%C5%91+Ju-87+Stuka+T%C3%B3szeg+1944+november+17

[Dénes Bernád]

I assisted the team in identifying the doomed aircraft (to their surprise, it turned out to be a Rumanian Ju 87D-5). In turn, I received a few small pieces of the excavated wreck.

[Chris Goss]

Having spoken to McMullens son, the photo is of his Spitfire damaged in combat in Apr 42 not a Defiant damaged by AA fire in 1941

[ClinA-78]

concerning the recovery: a very strange crane isn't it?

[ahafan]

try this weird one'-about 10 Civilian planes were shot down over the Irish sea.north of the Isles of Mann;;from october 1941- early 42-a P40 american flown missing was listed as ferrying too prestwick..
reasons no idea? info lost circa 2005, that I read on the net..
think the site was history of Raf ?.. i tried to find more since but no luck at All
sharon

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Two webpages in Russian, Google translation is your friend :)

On 6 August 1945, two Soviet patrol boats were attacked by US aircraft off the Pacific coast of USSR, and 8 (or 11) Soviet sailors were killed, while they claimed an aircraft shot down.

Source:
http://www.piragis.ru/publikatscii-po-istorii-kamchatki/bratskaya-mogila-geroev-moryakov.html
http://forum.patriotcenter.ru/index.php?topic=5296.0

Still needing some research on this case.

Best regards

Laurent

[Laurent Rizzotti]

On 21 September 1944 the Soviet submarine ShCh-402 was sunk off Norway, probably by Soviet Bostons.

http://www.uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/5073.html

[Laurent Rizzotti]

It's just one of these days... a third case for today:

1st Lt Joseph Andrew Dugan of 310th FS, 58th FG was killed on 10 January 1945 when his P-47D-15 42-23220 was shot down over Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, Philippine Islands by friendly fire from U.S. Navy fighters.

Sources:
"No Glamour. No Glory! The Story of the 58th Fighter Group of World War II", by Anthony J. Kupferer
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=56775450
MACR 12201

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Uffz. Heinz Luginger of 4.(F)/123 was killed on 24 May 1944 when his Bf 109 G-5 WNr. 27108 was shot down in error by German Flak, near Lison (south east of Carentan).

Source:
http://www.ghostbombers.com/recon/bf109h_2.html
http://www.volksbund.de/graebersuche/content_ergebnis_detail.asp?id=2359068&sec_id=E6A12EEC66D8090CF36FE6F4BEEF6CA726BE45CC
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lison
http://www.maplandia.com/france/basse-normandie/calvados/bayeux/lison/

[Six Nifty .50s]

I came across this information back in 2010 but never got around to posting it because life has gotten in the way of visiting the forums.

According to the author, the 747th Tank Battalion was working with the 175th Infantry Regiment on 8th June 1944 when RAF Typhoons misidentified their column and attacked, with tragic results. Lieutenant Homer Wilkes, a tank platoon commander, remembered:

" … The column formed up at Vierville in terrain curiously free of hedgerows. We started out in column on the road with Company C leading. I know not what the others thought, but I thought we were marching to the front. This impression was corrected minutes later by the appearance of an infantry skirmish line. Although it was my first taste of battle, I knew what that meant ... One strong point was Osmanville. And there on a clear day this village was attacked by a dozen British fighter-bombers. The Company C platoon leader of the advance guard was killed trying to display his identification panel. Other officers threw out smoke grenades. But the strike was pressed home until the pilots had dropped all their bombs and expended all ammunition. As a result, thirty-two infantrymen were slain, plus our officer, and Company C lost an entire platoon of tanks … "

See p.149
Yeide, Harry. The Infantry's Armor: The U.S. Army's Separate Tank Battalions in World War II (Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2010).

There was a similar incident noted by Joe Balkoski when he wrote Beyond The Beachhead which is possibly connected to this one.


***

On 10th November 1942, 
RAF Hudson V9253 (53 Squadron) was shot down by flying debris from its own depth charges; one of which scored a direct hit on the German submarine U-505 that was surfaced at the time. The U-boat was heavily damaged but returned to base at Lorient. The four-man RAF aircrew was lost along with one U.S. Navy passenger, including: Flight Sergeant R. R. Sillcock, RAAF; Sergeant P. G. Nelson, RNZAF; Sergeant W. Skinner, RAF; Sergeant T. R. Millar, RAF; and Seaman 1st Class H. L. Brew, USN.

(Source: U-Boat vs. Aircraft by Franks/Zimmerman, p.15)

[Laurent Rizzotti]

You probably have already much on the Typhoon attack on HMS minesweepers in the Channel on 27 August 1944, but the site below has much about this tragedy, including reports and testimonies:
http://www.halcyon-class.co.uk/friendlyfire/reports_of_1st_msf.htm

One day later, the Soviet did exactly the same, attacking their own minesweepers with their ground-attack aircraft: off Narva, Il-2 of 35 ShAP attacked a Soviet flotilla and damaged 8 ships, killing 5 men and wounding 11. Two Russian sources on this:
http://www.navy.su/daybyday/july/05/index.htm
http://www.bgudkov.ru/?page_id=396

Best regards

[Brian]

Hi guys

Thanks for the latest - sorry I'm late in acknowledging - had a PC crash!

Cheers
Brian

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Think it is a new (at least for me): on 20 September 1944 an Allied battle group including part of 654th TD Bn was attacked in error by Allied fighter-bombers:

"At 1700 hours our fighter-bombers, through error, bombed and strafed positions held by the CP Group, Headquarters Company and Company "C". Also the 448th AAA Battalion. One AA gun was destroyed and the crew killed when a bomb made a direct hit on the gun. Sergeant Walston and Corporal Lehman of Company "C" were slightly wounded in this action.
"

Source: http://654th.com/1944_sep_20.htm

The next day, units of 35th US Division were attackezd by P-47s:

"CCB 4th AD was attached to division at 211000A, moving from Luneville to assembly area in the vicinity of Jallaucourt. The 35th Division QM Company was bombed and strafed by our P47's in the vicinity of Harancourt. The same planes dropped one bomb in the vicinity of the division command post. "

Source: http://654th.com/1944_sep_21.htm

[Observer1940]

Hello All, especially Brian

RN Shipping Damaged or Lost due to Friendly - Air and Other Actions

I was away in June and came across an HMSO Admiralty publication "Ships of the Royal Navy Statement of Losses" 3rd September, 1939 to 2nd September, 1945, 70 pages, for £20 in a s/h shop.

Some were damaged or sunk by:-

1. friendly air fire and other friendly firing.
2. friendly Mines
3. our own Blockships
4. collision or being rammed

Now I can see why our Royal Navy were so keen to open fire on all unidentified aircraft which came within the exclusion zone around HM ships, which sometimes resulted in engaging our own aircraft, or the shooting down of our own aircraft over the sea.

Mark

[Darius]

Hello Mark,

did you buy this publication?

Regards

Darius

[Observer1940]

Darius

Yes, at £20 I did buy the 1947 HMSO publication.

Brian, I have sent a PM (your inbox was full when trying to send a second PM), so sent an email with pdf (3 page) attachment.

The book is bigger than A4 and after several attempts moving it on the scanner, I managed to scan the two analysis pages by ship type. However, you need the rest of the book to get the names of the ships and "How lost" column. My copy was impossible to scan due to pressing against the tight hinge / binding and the book trying to move.

According to files in TNA, Kew, even our own aircraft sent to escort our ships were occasionly engaged by the ship that they were sent to protect!

Mark

[Bruce Dennis]

Hi Brian, hope you are both well.
I have the HMSO publication Mark mentioned, and you are welcome to borrow it. I confess to dozing off on this, as I had forgotten that it has a set of tables showing losses including a column marked 'Own Forces'. As Mark says, the rest of the book will be needed to tie up the losses. Of course, in some cases you will be able to correct the HMSO publication.


By the way, your PM box is full.

Regards, Bruce

[Laurent Rizzotti]

A new one for me: on 13 September 1943, as the HMS Britomart and Russian destroyers were escorting some British transports in Kola Bay, the convoy was attacked by German aircraft. Ltn. Günter Eichhorn of 7./JG 5 shot down a MBR-2 of 118 MRAP covering the convoy, killing the three crew. A Soviet Hurricane flew too close of the convoy during the attack and was shot down by the British transport Empire Fortune. The pilot, Mlaadshi Leytenant Nikolaev, was rescued. No unit is listed for him

Source:
http://www.halcyon-class.co.uk/SBNOreports/sep_1943.htm
German claims and details of Soviet losses from my files

Edited: more on the subject, about two other former cases of friendly fire, with no precise date:
http://www.halcyon-class.co.uk/SBNOreports/dec_1942.htm

[Brian]

Hi Laurent

Excellent! More 'new' information. I've posted an enquiry for further info.

Keep it coming!

Many thanks
Brian

[Allan125]

Hi Brian

HMS Britomart was of course involved in another friendly fire incident - this time being the subject of unwanted attention by Typhoons on 27 August 1944.

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Britomart_(J22) for the history of HMS Britomart.

Allan

[Brian]

Thanks Alan

I have that tragic incident recorded.

Cheers
Brian

[Observer1940]

Brian

Not sure if you have this, if you have, there might be some more details. Apparently there is a report in The Times 2nd June 1943.
LOW FLYING: DOWNSIDE ACCIDENT.

HL Deb 10 June 1943 vol 127 cc1032-42

“LORD WINSTER had the following question on the Paper: To ask His Majesty's Government whether a statement can now be made concerning the recent deaths at Downside School caused by the low flying of, a Fleet Air Arm machine” …

“As regards the matter of an inquiry, an inquest has been held but that inquest, of course, was, of necessity, directed only to establishing the cause of death. It could not be directed to establishing the cause of the accident, and the facts leading up to this disaster have not yet been made known authoritatively to the public.” …

“What alarms them is the feeling, when they know that something has gone wrong, that the facts are being concealed from them.” …

“I am informed that none of the parents of the boys killed or injured has received any letter expressing regret from any naval authority, and in fact no naval authority has called at the hospital where these injured boys are or has made any inquiries.”

“The last point that I want to mention is a point of public interest—namely, this question of low flying. One can only ask the question, how much longer is this criminal thing to go on, and can no stop be put to it? In the present instance, the Father Abbot of Downside had done everything that he possibly could by official means to put an end to this practice. It was an evil of long standing at Downside. The Father Abbot has called twice at the Air Ministry; he has written two official letters; he has telephoned to the authorities; he has given the official numbers of the aircraft which were at fault. Even that has not stopped it, and, even since this tragedy at Downside, this low flying has occurred again at the school. Before the tragedy this was a regular nuisance at Downside; it was a persistent practice, which was affecting the nerves of the boys.”

THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY OF THE ADMIRALTY (LORD BRUNTISFIELD)
… “With regard to the general question of low flying, I do not want to go into this particular accident in detail, for the simple reason that further proceedings are pending. There is a court martial involved, and obviously it would be highly improper for me to say anything which may in any way affect the trial of the officer concerned.” …

“In general, however, I should like to say that, in common with the Air Ministry, the Admiralty views all forms of dangerous and low flying as in the worst possible taste and as the height of bad manners. The strictest regulations exist, which are frequently brought to the notice of flying officers, to prevent the occurrence of this exceedingly deplorable practice.” … – Crown Copyright

Inquest
Resumed Inquest at the Downside School Gymnasium 1st June 1943 - Plane Crash at Downside School Playing Ground on May 15th 1943 during a Cricket Match, killing nine of the boy spectators.

The Headmaster of the School was Dom Christopher Butler.
Rev. John Bernard Orchard, House-master
Police Detective Constable Fisher
Very Rev. R. S. Trafford, Abbot of Downside

Pilot Sub. Lt. A. C. McCracken, Australian, of the Fleet Air Arm also killed

Mr A. Myddleton-Wilshere appeared for Sub Lt. John B Leeming, Pilot of the other plane, flying in the company with McCracken
Mr J. McKenna appeared for the Admiralty

Boys were;
Hugh Michael Dearlove (14), son of Group Captain Dearlove killed early in the war and Mrs C. M. Dearlove, Horris Bank of Newtown, Newbury, Berkshire;
David Hugh Lowndes (16), son of Mrs G. W. Bishop, Ennismore, Gardens, London;
Lawrence John McNabb (15), son of Wing Commander and Mrs McNabb of ParkTown, Oxford;
Brian Richard Patrick McSwiney (14), son of Dr and Mrs S. A. McSwiney of Caton, The Golfs, Eastbourne, Sussex;
Michael Bagot Quinlan (15), son of Mr & Mrs P. B. Quinlan of Ealing, London;
Philip Humphrey Peter Rose (15), son and Heir of Sir Philip Rose, Bart, Hazlemere, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire;
Keith Edward Charles Stokes (15), son of Mr and Mrs C. A. Stokes, The Croft, Clarence Road, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset;
David M Jennings (10½), son of Lt. Col. G. W. D. Jennings, R. E., and Mrs Jennings of Budleigh Salterton, Devon;
Graham Norman Letts (13) son of Mr and Mrs H. Norman Letts of West Common, Lindfield, Sussex.

On 1st June 1943, nine others were still in hospital.

Summary
Five cricket games were going on and 200 people were watching and playing.

House-master Rev. John Bernard Orchard, said he saw before the crash two aeroplanes circling the ground closer to the tree tops than he had ever seen before. The aircraft approached the playing field from different directions at different times.

Dom Orchard saw the boys scattering on the banks as one of the planes approached and the boys would have been clearly visible to the pilots flying a hundred feet or more from the ground. Plane had passed but made a hairpin turn.

Mr Wilshere for Mr Leeming says he only circled the field once that day. A question was asked – Are you quite sure he was over the field at all?

Rev. Michael Benet Innes who was umpiring said he estimated the planes passing at about 30 to 40 feet on three or four occasions … “I took the number of one plane because I thought such low flying was distracting and dangerous.”

Richard Kirkpatrick Hutton a schoolboy saw the planes circling the field, saying they crossed it more than once in direct lines, turned and came back.

Commander A.F. Black, in control of a Royal Navy air station, said that in excellent visibility Sub-Lieutenant J. B. Leeming and Sub-Lieutenant A. C. McCracken took two sea Hurricanes on exercises. Both exercises were individual attack and follow-my-Ieader, with the instructor, Leeming, carrying out steep turns, dives, and "zooms," and the pupil, McCracken (who was killed), attempting to keep on the leader's tail. They should not have flown below 2,000ft. Downside was just out­side the limited area permitted for the exercises.
McCracken had eight months' experience of flying in Britain. Leeming, who had 500 hours' flying since 1941, was an experienced instructor. No technical defects had been found in the crashed plane. To have flown over the playing fields at less than 100ft., would have been a gross breach of regulations.

The Coroner Mr M. Pullibank told the jury they had to decide whether Leeming could be held respon­sible for the actions of McCracken.

Mark

[Observer1940]

Further to my tragic summary of the Downside School crash.

I have found the Devonport Court Martial report released to the press for John Birch Leeming, an Instructor, who pleaded "Guilty" to three charges arising out of the aeroplane accident at Downside School, Somerset on May 15th 1943.

Accused of:-
1. Flying outside a local training area
2. Flying at less than 2,000 ft. without authority or due cause and
3. Flying in the neighbourhood of Downside School in a manner likely to cause accident or annoyance to persons or damage to property.

Leeming was an Instructor who was carrying out an exercise with Sub-Lieutenant A. C. McCracken, a New Zealander, in another aircraft. McCracken's aircraft crashed and he was killed.

A "circumstantial" letter outlined the case for the prosecution stating:-
the aircraft was 4 miles outside the limit of a local training area.

While the cricket match was in progress he flew in a follow my leader exercise with A. C. McCracken a New Zealander at a height between 50 and 100 feet.

His aircraft came over again and the second aircraft following hit the ground, striking the boys.

The prosecution felt that there was enough evidence that Leeming in the leading aeroplane showed wilful disregard for Admiralty Fleet Orders relating to low flying.

Leeming
Leeming had become an instructor at the station on May 12 and immediately demanded a low flying area. He felt that low flying should be taught. No low flying area had yet been allocated, and meanwhile either instructors failed to give pupils low flying practice or broke the rules and hoped for the best. Leeming preferred to take the risk of being reported for low flying so that he might impart his knowledge to his pupils.

Leeming had an extremely good flying record. He was a pupil who became an instructor and was required to take up an appointment for which he had insufficient experience. It was not he who was to blame.

Captain M. S. Thomas described Leeming as a very keen and conscientious officer and a pupil of above average ability. Other Officers also spoke of Leeming's ability.

He was sentenced to be dismissed his ship and severely reprimanded.

[Laurent Rizzotti]

19 September 1944: a Coastal Command Liberator sank a Soviet submarine.
I am sure you have this recorded, but the following link, despite being Wikipedia, has more details than what I had read elsewhere (including AIR files number used as sources):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_Fisanovich

[Brian]

Thanks Mark and Laurent

I had notes relating to both incidents but not such detail. Excellent!

Cheers
Brian

[Leendert]

Brian,

From the 100th ID website (www.100thww2.org (http://www.100thww2.org)) this item under 898th AA Arty Bn (Automatic Weapons):

"Neither the 898th nor the 100th had seen their last aerial “friendly fire” incidents, however. On 22 January and again a week later, Century Division positions around Petit-Réderching, Bining, Enchenberg, and Montbronn were subjected to strafing and even bombing attacks by P-47s and P-51s; Battery D was awarded official credit for shooting down one of a flight of four Mustangs which attacked 397th Infantry positions around Petit-Réderching on 29 January!"

Mentioned village is near Bitche, NE France

The division had been mistakenly under attack by USAAF fighters on several occasions earlier in the month (Jan 45) as well, especially during the first days of Operation Northwind (Vosges).

Regards,

Leendert

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Accounts from the ground of a friendly fire attack on 25 December 1944 by P-38s (39 GI's dead):
http://www.grandmenil.com/friendly-fire-in-the-hills-of-grandmenil/

[Observer1940]

Hello Brian

RAF Anson Collision 19 February 1949 at Exhall with BEA Dakota

I am not sure if you have/want this aerial incident, for your incidents section?

But found it in my local Nuneaton newspaper dated 22 April 1949. Exhall is between Coventry and the town of Bedworth in northern Warwickshire.

I have not researched it yet.

Regards Mark

[Darius]

Hello,

I found this here in my routine KTB der Seekriegsleitung, Teil A, Bd. 53, reading:


26.01.1944:
"Schwarzes Meer:
... Durch Fehlwurf eigenen Flugzeugs wurden durch Bombentreffer auf Südmole Kertsch Mole und Haka[Hafenkommandant]-Gebäude beschädigt. Eine 2cm Flak ist ausgefallen, 3 Mann sind gefallen."


Greetings

Darius

[Darius]

Hello,

sorry, but I have to correct my last posting:

KTB der Seekriegsleitung, Teil A, Bd. 53, reading:


27.01.1944:
"Schwarzes Meer:
...In Berichtigung der Meldung vom 26/1. ist der Luftangriff auf Südmole Kertsch nicht durch Fehlwurf eigener Flugzeuge sondern durch Angriff fdl. Flugzeug erfolgt."


Greetings

Darius

[Brian]

Hi Darius

I've tried a translation but it doesn't make sense to me. Can you advise, please?

Black Sea:
...In amending the notification of 26/1 the airstrike on South Pier Kerch is fdl Fehlwurf of its own aircraft instead of attack. Aircraft is done."

Cheers
Brian

[Laurent Rizzotti]

The diary on the 26th listed the attack as being done by a friendly aircraft, the entry on the 27th corrects it by telling it was an enemy one (fdl being the short form of feindlich = enemy).

[Darius]

Thank you Laurent for the translation.

Darius

[Laurent Rizzotti]

15Jul41 14:55 Defense of Hango: Ivan Savelyevich Kozlov (Order of Red Banner), Flight Commander of 13 IAP VMF was flying a I-153. Alexei Kasyanovich Antonenko (HSU) and Peter Antonovich Brinko (HSU) observed Kolzlov's plane heading head on towards them and believed it to be a Finnish fighter. They fired at it and Kozlov was shot down and killed. Antonenko was KIA 26Jul41 and Brinko was KIA 14Sep41.

A possible add-on to the above case, but that will need some validation before: according to one source (http://forum.patriotcenter.ru/index.php?topic=31140.0;wap2), Brinko had been awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union the day before, and not yet sobered from the celebration. He was still drunk and so shot down Kozlov's I-153 (some were used by the Finnish, to be honest) but then, accodring to the same source, also attacked the pilot who bailed out and killed him under his parachute. When the mistake was realized, it was hushed from official records.

I would like to know the comments of our Russian friends on this one.

[Laurent Rizzotti]

On 18 July 1942 the fighter of Leytenant Ivan G. Shemyakin of 873 IAP was hit by Flak during a combat mission and he had to force-land on friendly territory in the Nizhne-Soloninskaya area, but was then killed by his own troops that took him for an enemy pilot.

Source:
http://allaces.ru/p/people.php?id=00000008082

[Nick Beale]

I thought it was high time this thread was made a sticky. I can't think why we didn't do it before it got to 64 pages!

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Hi Nick, it was a sticky at a time before activity of the thread went down.

Brian, I think you have a fold3 account now, here are some links on the USN War Diaries section describing friendly fire incidents. These reports are always written from the ship side and do not identify the aircraft involved, but are interesting anyway.

9 June 1944: several Allied aircraft shot down off Normandy by naval Allied AA fire
http://www.fold3.com/image/#276912467

21 June 1944: a PBM shot down by friendly fire off Marianas
http://www.fold3.com/image/#293478421

25 October 1944: a aircraft shot down by friendly AA fire off Leyte
http://www.fold3.com/image/#293478421

2 December 1944: a PT boat strafed by an Allied aircraft
http://www.fold3.com/image/#295371282

[HGabor]

On February 4, 1945 three La-5s fired 39. ORAP recce. Pe-2 at 5300 m over Dunaföldvár, Hungary. Fast speed bomber slightly escaped but observer, Lt. Anatolii Alekseevich Kovyazhin was killed by friendly bullets. Buried at Szabadszállás.

All planes 17 VA, 3rd Ukrainian Front.

Gabor

[Darius]

Hello,

I have here the Information about a friendly-fire incident on 20.01.1944 off Norway.

Following the KTB Skl, about noon that day 8 torpedo aircraft attacked the german minelayer "Skagerrak" with his escorts and AP of 2 fighters and a Bv flying-boat. 3 attackers were shot down, the "Skagerrak" sank following torpedo hit.

In chapter about airwar, there is a notice, that the german CAP shot down two own airplanes.

Do you have any further data about this Action?

Thank you

Darius

[Ota Jirovec]

Hello,

One more case:

Uffz. Gabriel Tautscher of 9./JG 51 was demoted to the rank of Flieger after he has shot down by error the reconnaissance Ju 86 R of 1.(F)/100 (returning from the sortie to the Moscow area) near Vjazma on 9 February 1943. Apparently, Tautscher was not familiar with the recognition chart of a Ju 86 R (which was moreover reported as an enemy aircraft) and had experienced problems with icing of his windshield that further obstracted his view. Nevertheless, after his demotion Tautscher continued to add to his score, was promoted back to Unteroffizier and awarded the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold before being killed by a flak hit east of Osaritchi on 12 January 1944 (with at least 58 kills on his credit).

Source: Jagdfliegerverbände der Deutschen Luftwaffe Part 12/II by Prien et al., pages 72-73.

Ota

[airfoiledagain]

Hello:
I'm not clear whether you are interested in post-WWII friendly fire incidents, or if you might want to know the details surrounding a bizarre occurrence early in the Korean War, in which a US B-26 Invader attack bomber was nearly shot down (knowingly and intentionally) by a US F-82 (twin-Mustang) whose pilot for some reason suspected the B-26 of being flown by a North Korean spy.

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Hello Brian,

Just finished to study the case of the PBM of VP-16 shot down by US destroyers on 21 June 1944, signaled above, to include it on www.crashplace.de (http://www.crashplace.de). Here is my final result, in case you're interested:

In the evening of 21 June 1944 US Navy Destroyer Divisions 92 (USS Boyd, Bradford, Brown and Cowell) and 104 were proceeding independently west of Marianas, about ten miles apart on parallel course, to rendezvous with a fueling group when at 2217 hrs radar contact was made with several unidentified aircraft, bearing 130°, distance 60 miles. The destroyers formed a column but at 2223 hrs the contact faded. At 2227 hrs another contact was made with one unidentified aircraft, bearing 055°, distance 30 miles.

At 2234, 2242, 2255, 2258 hrs the destroyers changed course to evade and give all ships clear firing bearing. Another radar contact made at 2241 hrs faded 5 minutes later. The closer unindetified aircraft was now orbiting close to the formation out of range, but then started a low level approach and at 2309 hrs it was at four miles, bearing 215° and closing. Permission to open fire was asked and granted if the plane approached within 10,000 yards. The plane continued its approach directly toward the division and fire was opened at 2310 hrs at about 8,000 yards, while the destroyer executed turn to avoid anticipated torpedo. All four destroyers fired, expending a total of 262 5’’ and 132 40mm shells and at 2312 hrs the aircraft was shot down by 15°06 N 139°20 E.

The Brown was sent to investigate crash. It found a wing float painted characteristic light and dark blue as US Navy planes. The crew attempted to get pontoon aboard for further identification but it proved too heavy to handle. The body of a man was reported sighted with a yellow life jacket similar to the one worn by Amerian aviators. An attempt was made to recover it but the ship was unable to find it again. A pilot aboard the destroyer saw a deflated rubber boat with C02 bottles and recoginzed it as US. A window curtain with spring roller marked in USA was picked up. Despite thorough search of area, no other identification material and no survivor was found. It was concluded that the aircraft had been a friendly PBM.

Earlier during the day the division had made contact with friendly patrol planes not showing IFF, and had been reminded at 1630 hrs that friendly submarines and search planes with IFF inoperative were in the area. This was reminded to the ships when the evening calls were made. A ship of DevDiv 104, USS Hunt, reported that plane’s motirs sounded familiar, and the Boyd was ordered to broadcast on all aircraft voice circuits "Any search plane investigating surface ships get away from the area because your IFF is not working", while Cowell reported hearing a test call on TBL. All ships of DesDiv 92 were asked if they had any indication that contact was firendly. All replied negative.

In DesDiv 92 report it was believed that the PBM thought DesDuvs 92 and 104 were enemy and was making an attack on DesDiv 92, but it is possible that he was investigating DesDiv 104 and was unaware of the presence of DesDiv 92. A message reporting that a search plane was investigating a radar contact was received in the Boyd at approximately the instant of opening fire.

The conclusion of the report was that in the situation described above the matter of self preservation demanded to DesDiv 92 to open fire: "This tragic indident is deeply regretted but it is felt that in the circumstances no alternative was open to Commander Destroyer Division 92 to act other than as he did."

The lost Mariner was from VP-16. This unit was operating from the open sea off the roadstead of Garapan Harbor, Saipan, since the 18th, being serviced by the ISS Ballard first and then the USS Pocomoke. Seven aircraft of this unit were flying night patrol operations this night and one, 16-P-13 (PBM-3D Buno 45216), did not return. His last transmission to the base was "Investigating suspicious vessel." His fate was unknow until the 23rd, when the report of the shooting down of a PBM by DesDiv 92 was received.

Crew (all missing):
Lt.Cmdr Harry R Flachsbarth, USNR (pilot)
Ens Lyman E. Benson, USNR
Ens Larsen G. Ruth, USN
ARM3c Cecil Hertford Wiggs, USNR
AMM3c Austin Earl Hoskins, USNR
AMM3c George Plant, USNR
AMM1c Robert Eugene Wise, USNR
ARM3c James Terry Greenfield, USNR
S1c Lee Roy Douglas, USNR
AMM3c Alexander Hilton,Jr.
AMM3 Ray R Moorman, USN (not in VP-16 war diary, but in all other sources)
AOM3c Wallace Blackwell Grant, USNR

All are commemorated on the Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery, Philippines.

Quite a great deal of trouble was experienced by VP-16 with IFF equipment during the first 10 days of operations at Saipan because of the following reasons:
(a) Rough water take-offs and landings with the heavy loads on the open sea on the leeward side of Saipan undoubtedly jarred the IFF equipement out of adjustment.
(b) the IFF equipement had apparently not been properly serviced by Hedron, Fleet Air Wing Two, at Kaneoke Bay, T. H.
(c) Although the proper equipment for testing and checking the IFF was on board the USS Pocomoke, it had not been set up for use and no one on board was qualikied to set it up. This was overcome when ACRT Parry arrived on board and set up a test bench for IFF. The delay on his arrival coupled with the failure to provide similarly qualified people in the PATSU, was the direct cause of the loss of the above crew.

Source:
COMDESDIV 92, Report of shooting down of friendly aircraft on 6/21/44, West of Marianas (http://www.fold3.com/image/277072603/#277072467/)
VP-16 War Diary, June 1944 (http://www.fold3.com/image/279790195/#279790176/)
http://www.vpnavy.com/vp16_mishap.html
"The fighting flying boat: a history of the Martin PBM Mariner", by Richard Alden Hoffman. ISBN 1-59114-375-6
http://www.abmc.gov/search/wwii.php
http://wikimapia.org/#lang=fr&lat=15.100000&lon=139.333333&z=6

By the way by reading VP-16 war diary I discovered another case of friendly fire, on 19 June 1944 a PBM of this unit was attacked by USN fighters. It was not lost but one crew was fatally wounded. See: http://www.fold3.com/image/279790195/#279790183/.

Best regards

[Brian]

Hi guys

Many thanks for the continuing accounts of friendly fire incidents - I continue to be amazed by the number of such incidents.

Laurent - I'm forever in your debt.

Airfoiledagain - please send more details.

Gabor, Darius, Ota - many thanks indeed.

Great stuff, keep it coming!

Brian

[Juha]

Hello,

I have here the Information about a friendly-fire incident on 20.01.1944 off Norway.

Following the KTB Skl, about noon that day 8 torpedo aircraft attacked the german minelayer "Skagerrak" with his escorts and AP of 2 fighters and a Bv flying-boat. 3 attackers were shot down, the "Skagerrak" sank following torpedo hit.

In chapter about airwar, there is a notice, that the german CAP shot down two own airplanes.

Do you have any further data about this Action?

Thank you

Darius

Attackers were 4 Torbeaus and 4 escort Beaus from 489 Sqn (RNZAF), none were lost only a couple planes were hit by the AA. One can find a bit more info e.g. from Björn Hafsten's et al Flyalarm. Luftkrigen over Norge 1939 - 1945 (1991) p. 189.

Juha

[Juha]

Hello Brian
I cannot remember, if I have given this before but anyway
LW_tappiot 1944-06-20 c. 07.00 Ju 87D-5 S7+JL WNr. 131926 3./SG 3 NN pilot bo unhurt, Krausse, Walter Gefr. WO/AG bo slightly inj. Viipuri/Vyborg Shot down by Finnish AA

Juha

[Brian]

Hi Juha

Many thanks.

Cheers
Brian

[AndreasB]

Inquest
Resumed Inquest at the Downside School Gymnasium 1st June 1943 - Plane Crash at Downside School Playing Ground on May 15th 1943 during a Cricket Match, killing nine of the boy spectators.


Boys were;
Hugh Michael Dearlove (14), son of Group Captain Dearlove killed early in the war and Mrs C. M. Dearlove,

Could anyone confirm if H.M.Dearlove was the son of Group Captain Dearlove who was killed in a FF incident at Gialo Oasis on 30 November 1941 when the Blenheim he was travelling in was shot down by Bofors of 6 LAA Battery R.A.?

Many thanks in advance.

All the best

Andreas

[Brian]

Yes, Andreas, that is correct

Cheers
Brian

[Gunther]

One of the best studies of friendly fire I know of is:

http://usacac.army.mil/cac2/cgsc/carl/download/csipubs/shrader.pdf

Rather than Fratricide, Maj. Shrader used Amicide. He provides historical models showing that typically friendly fire accounted for -2% of casualties in ground ops but could reach 30+ % in bombing/strafing friendlies.

There have been numerous "Blue on Blue" incidents in air combat, perhaps most notably when von Richthofen probably was WIA by a wingman in July '17. We can only guess at what friendly fire must've been like in Bomber Command and the Nachtjagd...

[Nick Hector]

This is getting to be a long thread, and I must confess to not yet having found the time to read it in its entirety so I apologise if these two have already been mentioned:

1) 452 sqn RAAF, 13.10.41 (Circus 108A).

Bluey Truscott shot at a “German” in his parachute. Quoting the American Historian Donald Caldwell’s history of JG 26: “No. 452 Squadron’s P/O “Bluey” Truscott shot at a parachutist, but the action met with the disapproval of his fellow Australian pilots, and it was apparently not repeated. Ironically, no German pilot bailed out on this day, and Truscott’s target was probably Allied.”
The Truscott biography noted that said target took no evasive action and 452 sqn lost a pilot (SGT E P “Happy” Jackson, Spitfire AB852) on his first mission.

2) I have always strongly suspected that Paddy Finucane's kill of 11.7.41 was actually Spitfire II P7562 of Sgt. Alex C Roberts. The reasons being that firstly, Finucane claimed a 'lone Bf109 that was attacking the formation' and secondly, Roberts got separated from the formation at some point and was shot down trying to rejoin it. Or in other words, exactly when he could have given the impression that he was a 'lone Bf109 attacking the formation'...

Cheers
Nick

[Rainer]

Can someone identify the aircraft shot down in the following friendly fire incident?

At 1125 hours on 19 August 1942, the US tanker GULF OF MEXICO was en route in the Bristol Channel when a single low flying twin-engine bomber appeared out of low clouds from ahead about 1 mile west of Scarweather Light. The aircraft looked like a Ju 88 and did not fire recognition signals, so the order was given to open fire at 1000 yards in accordance with CAMSI instructions to fire at any plane approaching within 1500 yards when east of 36°W. Recieving several hits from three Oerlikon guns the aircraft caught fire and crashed into the sea about 1 mile off the starboard quarter. When the tanker arrived at Milford Haven the next day, they were told that they had downed a British aircraft.

[Observer1940]

Hello Brian

Not sure if you have this one or not, but came across the incident when searching for something else in the Nottingham Evening Post Monday 24th June 1940. I have not checked the spelling on BMD.

"SOLDIER ACCIDENTALLY SHOT"
"Tragedy During Unloading Of Rifle"

"Leslie Ronald Willsher, 19, a soldier, was accidentally shot when a rifle which was being unloaded by another soldier went off while he was on duty in Essex, yesterday."

"A doctor was called, but Willsher, whose home address was Thorncliffe-road, Southall, was dead."

Regards Mark

[Brian]

Many thanks guys

Most interesting.

Cheers
Brian

[flughund]

Wellington HX482 - http://www.lostaircraft.com/database.php?mode=viewentry&e=29178

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=dfl&GRid=11357038

"Ross was flying as aircrew in an RAF 172 Squadron Wellington VIII 'Leigh Light' bomber, registration HX482 and assigned to Coastal Command and tasked with the identification and destruction of enemy submarines. The aircraft was piloted by my mother's fiancé F/O Gordon Jamieson and on that day was flying an air test and demonstration flight with 8 people on board, including a U.S.Army Air Force officer and one of her ground crew. This was not an offensive mission and the aircraft was unarmed apart from her gun turrets. Flying over Swansea Bay, South Wales in broad daylight and in good visibility, the aircraft was cruising across the bay when she was attacked by anti-aircraft gunners on an American ship, reported as the USS or SS 'Gulf of Mexico. The Wellington was at relatively low level but not in an attacking stance, but was nevertheless mistaken for an enemy aircraft and shot down into the bay. All on board were killed as they had no time to bale out. The wreck remains in Swansea Bay and is protected by UK Government legislation from any interference, although I understand all the crew were recovered from the sea in the following days and buried separately in accordance with family wishes. Gordon is buried at Canford in Bristol. Hope this can give you more closure." (by Stuart Dymond, 4 Sep 2013).

http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/515828/details/VICKERS+WELLINGTON+VIII+HX482/

[AndreasB]

Yes, Andreas, that is correct

Cheers
Brian

Many thanks Brian. That is very tragic.

All the best

Andreas

[ahafan]

Can someone identify the aircraft shot down in the following friendly fire incident?

At 1125 hours on 19 August 1942, the US tanker GULF OF MEXICO was en route in the Bristol Channel when a single low flying twin-engine bomber appeared out of low clouds from ahead about 1 mile west of Scarweather Light. The aircraft looked like a Ju 88 and did not fire recognition signals, so the order was given to open fire at 1000 yards in accordance with CAMSI instructions to fire at any plane approaching within 1500 yards when east of 36°W. Recieving several hits from three Oerlikon guns the aircraft caught fire and crashed into the sea about 1 mile off the starboard quarter. When the tanker arrived at Milford Haven the next day, they were told that they had downed a British aircraft.
A wellington bomber: was shot down off Milfred Haven by a Tanker ship
sharon

[Rainer]

Thanks for the identification of the aircraft shot down by GULF OF MEXICO.

Another similar incident happened on 6 June 1942 in the Indian Ocean:
The Norwegian motor merchant INDRA was en route northeast of Ceylon when an aircraft circled the ship several times. As it began to dive towards the ship her AA gunners downed the aircraft. Apparently it was a British Swordfish aircraft (814 Sqn FAA, pilot SubLt Andrew Moore, RNVR), all three crew members were lost.

[Observer1940]

Hello Brian

I have just finished a list, on one list, some files I probably have already mentioned.

AIR 2/3008 Inter-Service Committee on Recognition of Aircraft. 01 January 1939 - 31 December 1940 (some late 1940 references I think)

AIR 14/853 Erroneous attack on British submarines by aircraft of No 83 Squadron operating from Lossiemouth March 1940 Original Reference IIH/241/3/865 BC/S23848

AIR 14/390 Incidents between aircraft and A.A. defences (Home): Reports regarding unidentified aircraft. 01 Aug 1940 - 31 Oct 1940 Original Reference BC/S 22583

AIR 14/389 Incidents between No. 1 Group aircraft and A.A. defences (Home). 01 July 1941 - 31 August 1941 Original Reference BC/S 22583

AIR 14/272 Routeing of bombers: reports on investigation into incident with fighters in the Firth of Forth 21st December 1939 [Original AHB / Bomber Command reference IIH/241/3/847 (BC/S23366)]

AIR 14/273 Incident with Fighters in Firth of Forth 21 Dec 1939 Proceedings of Court of Inquiry (BC/S 23366/1)

AIR 16/11 A. A. fire against friendly aircraft. 01 Oct 1939 to 31 Oct 1940

AIR 16/12 Reports of Naval A. A. fire against friendly aircraft. 01 October 1939 - 31 December 1940

AIR 16/207 Attacks by fighters on friendly aircraft: Policy of courts of enquiry and court martial 1939 Nov to 1940 February. Original Reference HCTD/S/281

AIR 16/355 Interception of enemy by aircraft not under Fighter Command control. 01 August 1940 - 30 November 1941 Original File Reference FC/S20644 [INCLUDES SOME FRIENDLY INCIDENTS]

AIR 20/2217 DIRECTORATE-GENERAL OF ORGANISATION. Aircraft shot down or damaged by our own defences. 01 September 1937 - 30 June 1945 AHB Reference VE/32 [FILE SEEMS INCOMPLETE] mainly later 1940 onward A.A. cases (one sentence per case) with Accident file number (still withheld if they were kept)

AIR 20/2285 to AIR 20/2289 Beaufighter and Other Friendly Fire Attacks and Incidents in 1941

AIR 20/4289 (GENERAL). Rules for opening fire by fighters over the sea at night. 01 Mar 1940 - 30 Nov 1940 [POLICY but has later reference to the Firth of Forth incident]

AIR 35/87 Reports of firing on friendly aircraft by allied A.A. defences. 01 Jan 1940 to 31 Dec 1940

AIR 2/9279 Attack by aircraft of 86 Squadron on Russian submarine: Court of Inquiry. 1 Jan 1944 - 31 Dec 1944

Also a search of “Recognition” as well as “Identification” might yield some files, which might have the odd incident mentioned?

ADM 1/16390 Extracts from minutes of Board of Enquiry into loss of Soviet submarine B1. 01 Jan 1944 - 31 Dec 1944

Original File References quoted by Captain Roskill’s War at Sea HMSO 1954 an official history:-
Admty L.D. 01892/41 - NOT FOUND to date
A.T. 1047/21/2/41 - NOT FOUND to date
S.L. Papers Vol. 7, File 9.
Some incidents found in ADM 205/7 Case file 00261 Volume 7 First Sea Lord’s Records, but not sure if this holds original File 9.

ADM 178/248 Various incidents involving the shooting at Allied aircraft by British personnel 1940 to 1941 (Admiralty 332/41)
[Mainly seems to deal with the shooting down of a Vichy official and possibly some foreign allied a/c]

ADM 1/11917 DEFENCES - UNITED KINGDOM (32): Reports of R.A.F. aircraft being fired on by British land and sea anti-aircraft defences 1941 to 1942 Admiralty 481/42

Other incidents at the UK Coast and at Sea in Naval War History Case volumes and Policy
Also ADM 116 and ADM 199 (Naval ‘War History Case’ volumes) have incidents recorded by R.N. convoys etc., and by UK Defences some can be found first, listed in the huge Digests in ADM 12 along with the original Naval file numbers and/or War History Case volume numbers.

Naval Filing Code 32 was UK Defence
Naval Filing Code 90 was Aviation

To find the odd cases listed amongst the Digests (Naval Indexes in huge heavy volumes), the Digest volumes for 1940 covering these codes 32 (UK Defence) and 90 (Aviation) are:-

ADM 12/1746 covering the code for UK (Home) Defences (32) 1939 to 1940 and
ADM 12/1752 covering the code for Aviation (90) 1939 to 1940.

These ADM 12 files give you a brief description with the original Navy file reference, but some incidents recorded in ADM 12 are very difficult to find in the history volumes!

Regards Mark

[Brian]

Many thanks, Mark

Delving into all these files will keep me busy during my next few visits to TNA!

Cheers
Brian

[ahafan]

Many thanks, Mark

Delving into all these files will keep me busy during my next few visits to TNA!

Cheers
Brian
u do some great work brian..;)
sharon

[NUPPOL]

Another Friendly fire at http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=36509&page=2

[Observer1940]

Hello Brian

A note indicated that the following Whitley and Blenheim accidents were possibly connected (firing / incident?):-

Whitley V, N1367 of 77 Squadron Operating from Driffield landed in a field at Fecamp 3rd January 1940 F/Lt B. S.Tomlin Captain and F/O T. H. Parrott Pilot with "E.F." "L17" being Engine failure on Accident Card. Other crew were R. S. or R. E. Charlton, H. Perry and R. H. Erickson.

An Air Ministry Acc Branch note found for Whitley N1367 accident was in the file of Blenheim L8399 of 604 Squadron Captain Sgt A. W. Woolley with Blenheim L8399 place of accident Thornwood Common, Epping on 3rd January 1940. Other crew were H. J. Crump and A Penn.

I don't have the AM1180 for the Blenheim yet, perhaps a check of both the Squadron and Station ORBs might reveal more?

A 1940 online reference of the Blenheim only states:-
"The New Year got off to a good start with Sergeant Arthur Woolley suffering engine failure and having to force-land Blenheim L8399 in the vicinity of Epping on 3rd January."

Mark

[GuerraCivil]

I have read, that during the Winter/Continuation War Finnish Air Force planes faced very often "friendly" AA fire. As there were much more Soviet airplanes in air, the Finnish AA usually shot everything that flew on the sky. During the Winter War at least one Finnish fighter was shot down by Finnish AA and the pilot was killed (IIRC).

However, the Barking Creek Incident in 1939 as well as the Bodenplatte fiasco in 1945 are in my opinion the two outstanding "classics" when it comes to "friendly" fire in WW2.

[Brian]

Hi GuerraCivil

Regarding the Battle of Barking Creek, you will find my account in 'Blue on Blue' Volume One. Also an account of Finnish War errors.

Would you like a copy?

Cheers
Brian

[GuerraCivil]

What is the price of the book?
Does the book cover Spanish Civil War, which is of my special interest?

[Brian]

Hi

Brief mention of Spanish Civil War incidents in Volume One.

£10.00 plus postage.

Cheers
Brian

[Dave Richardson]

Hi Brian

Here's a possible friendly fire incident for you. On the morning of 21/08/1942 Stirling bomber R9329 from 149 Squadron crashed in Devon returning from a mining op in the Gironde Estuary. All the crew were killed, my uncle was the front gunner. During my research I'm becoming convinced that the aircraft was fired on by the Plymouth AA guns. The crash site is about 3 miles NE of Plymouth. The following information leads me to believe it was a "friendly fire incident":

· In his book The Stirling Bomber by M.J.F. Bowyer records that the aircraft was "shot down by British A.A. guns"

· I have a scan of a letter from the National Archives to another of my uncles from 1980 (he was also researching the crash in pre-internet days), which has a note typed at the bottom ".. over Plymouth it was hit by anti-aircraft fire causing it to crash near the village of Cornwood"

· The RAF Air Historical Branch have confirmed that from the Form F765c "The aircraft was returning from a mining operation and from the accounts of the other aircraft in the area it is likely that this was the one heavily engaged by to ground defences and probably damaged. Return would therefore be made at low level." They went on to say that their records make no reference to British AA guns being involved.

· The location of the crash site suggests that the aircraft will have flown over Plymouth. I've spoken to to an eyewitness of the crash, who now is quite elderly but clearly remembers the aircraft flying up the valley on fire.

I don't know where to look now to try and get some confirmation one way or the other. Any thoughts?

Dave

[Brian]

Hi Dave

Your evidence already looks fairly conclusive to me. However, have you consulted the Squadron's ORB - which may contain further information?

Have you a complete crew list by any chance?

Cheers
Brian

[Dave Richardson]

Hi Brian

Yes, I got the Squadron ORB but it makes no reference to what we now call friendly fire. I've emailed the National Archives to see if they can shed any light on the comment on the bottom of the letter my uncle received. I don't know if there would have been an inquest with the airmen dying in England so I've emailed the Plymouth Archives office to see if they can help on that score. I'll keep you posted. The crew was:

Pilot Officer Geoffrey Ernest Robertson, age 25
Sergeant Dudley Howard Harris, age 20
Sergeant Denis Roy Simpson, age 26
Sergeant Peter Edward James Jenkins, age 22
Sergeant Lawrence Henry Nicholson, age 21
Sergeant Frank Sidney Clarke, age 25
Sergeant Cecil Jacques Bond, age 19


I've produced a booklet of remembrance for the crew which the Mildenhall Register have kindly put on their website. It can be found here:


http://www.mildenhallregister.stirlingpilot.org.uk/Stirling%20R9329%20book%20of%20rememberance.pdf


Cheers
Dave

[Laurent Rizzotti]

From the history of 1st Light AA Regiment:
"On 18th December 1941 - A Troop attacked by 15 Hurricanes and the guns had to open fire in self protection and one plane was brought down and on another occasion C Troop was attacked by 24 Tomohawks and 2 men were killed. Such was the confusion of battle."

Source:
http://www.desertrats.org.uk/orgartillery.htm

The book "Mediterranean Air War", vol 1, had for this day one loss without details in the text:
260 Sqn Hurricane shot down by Flak; Plt Off Cidman returned safely

One of the killed might have been Gunner James Bollard, killed the same day and commemorated on the El Alamein memorial. I have not found another victim for the regiment this day.

[Brian]

Hi Laurent

I'm sure it was Plt Off (John) Gidman of 260 Squadron, but I haven't got my records to hand.

Cheers
Brian

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Thanks for the confirmation Brian.

Any planning for the continuation of the Blue on Blue series ?

[Brian]

Hi Laurent

Yes, the 'Blue on Blue' series is progressing - with this type of subject one never knows when to draw a line!

I'm ever hopeful, so keep watching!!

Cheers
Brian

[Laurent Rizzotti]

A SBD of USN bombing Marine on Gavutu Island on 7 August 1942:
http://missingmarines.com/2012/04/17/corporal-raymond-leon-bray/

A Marine SBD shot down by US ships off Guadalcanal on 18 September 1942:
http://missingmarines.com/2013/04/19/second-lieutenant-leland-evan-thomas/

[Leendert]

Laurent,

A destroyer (DE-420) was named after Lt. Leland E. Thomas.

Interestingly the accompanying bio on Lt Thomas on history.navy.mil gives this version surrounding the circumstances of his death: Lieutenant Thomas was killed in action at Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, 18 September 1942 while launching an aggressive attack on enemy warships.

See http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/l5/leland_e_thomas.htm

Regards,

Leendert

[Laurent Rizzotti]

That is how the official story is written. By the way the MAG-23 War Diary confirms the loss to friendly fire, and there was no action this day against the enemy by SBDs from Guadalcanal.
http://www.fold3.com/image/279777731/

[vvkj41]

Hi Brian & Guys

Small contribution regarding Royal Yugoslav AF

Cheers
Aleks


Friendly fire – Royal Yugoslav Air Force, April 1941

6 April 1941 - Lockheed Electra YU-S??, Transportation group. Attacked by Messerschmit 109E from 2.Fighter Regiment (2.LP) in central Serbia. Messerschmitt pilot recognized Yugoslav markings and abort attack. Electra was undamaged.

6 April 1941 – Meserschmitt Bf 109E-3 unknown s/n, 2.Fighter Regiment (2.LP). Damaged in combat with Germans over Belgrade try to land at Zemun airfield. Shot down by airfield AA guns. Pilot managed to jump at low attitude, seriously burned.
6 April 1941 – Bristol Blenheim Mk.I 3528, 11. Independent Long Range Recce group (11.SGDI). Shot by Yugoslav AA guns from Fruška Gora Mountain. Blenheim explode during force landing. Crew of three perished: Lt Slavko Zelenika, nvtč Todor Radović and Sgt Blagoje Bakić.
6 April 1941 – Bristol Blenheim, unknown s/n, 1.Bomber Regiment (1.BP). Shot by Yugoslav AA guns over Avala Mountain near Belgrade. Only slightly damaged.
7 April 1941 – Bristol Blenheim Mk.I unknown s/n, 8.Bomber Regiment (8.BP). Shot by Yugoslav AA guns near airfield Novi Sad. Slightly damaged.
7 April 1941 – S.79 „black 12“ unknown s/n, 81.Independent Bomber group (81.SBG). Shot by Royal Yugoslav fleet from Boka Kotorska bay. Crash landed, crew unhurt.
7 April 1941 – Lockheed Electra YU-SBD, Transportation group. Shot by British ships from Preveze harbor in Greece. Crash landed, crew and passengers unhurt.
7 April 1941 – Fieseler Fi156 Storch 1.Recce group. Shot by Yugoslav AA guns over Novi Sad. Wounded pilot land near railway station. On 8 April another pilot was shot by same AA battery. He returned back with 17 shots in plane.

9 April 1941 – Hawker Fury Mk.II unknown s/n, 5.Fighter Regiment (5.LP). Shot down by Yugoslav AA guns near Kraljevo. Pilot jumped, only slightly injured.
9 April 1941 – Rogožarski PVT, unknown s/n, 5.Fighter Regiment (5.LP). Shot down by Yugoslav ground fire near Dulane village. Captain Otokar Sep died in crash.
9 April 1941 – Hawker Fury MK.II, unknown s/n, 5.Fighter Regiment (5.LP). Shot by Yugoslav ground fire near Dulane village. Pilot crash landed near Ćićevac in central Serbia, slightly wounded.
9 April 1941 – Potez 25, unknown s/n, 7.Recce group. Shot by Yugoslav AA guns while landing at Divci airfield near Valjevo. Landing gear collapsed, pilot unhurt.
9 April 1941 – Fieseler Fi156 Storch, unknown s/n, 7.Recce group. Shot by Yugoslav AA guns near Smederevska Palanka. Crash landed. Crew of two unhurt.
10 April 1941 – Potez 25, unknown s/n, 606.Training Escadrille (606.TE). Shot by Yugoslav AA guns near Slavonski Brod. Force landed. Pilot unhurt, mechanic slightly injured.
10 April 1941 – Messerschmitt Bf 110C, Test group (OG). Shot by Yugoslav ground fire while landing at Radinci airfield. Hidraulic pump damaged, pilot manage to land.
10 April 1941 – Potez 25, unknown s/n, 609.Escadrille (609.E). Shot down by Yugoslav AA guns near Čačak in western Serbia. Pilot Lt Ilija Kandić and observer Lt Josip Novaković died in crash.
10 april 1941 – Bücker Bü 131D, unknown s/n, 7.Bomber Regiment (7.BP). Shot down by Yugoslav AA guns near Čačak in western Serbia. Pilot Sgt Alojz Stražišar and mechanic Sgt Zdravko Berisavljević died.
11 April 1941 – S.79 unknown s/n, 7.Bomber Regiment. Shot down by Yugoslav AA guns over Igman Mountain near Sarajevo. Seven Yugoslav aviators perished: 2Lt Miodrag Djordjević, Sgt Branko Tomić, 2Lt Branko Mirić, 2Lt Miodrag Nikolić, 2Lt Aleksandar Hristić, Sgt Vojislav Mećikućić and unknown airmen.
11 April 1941 – Bristol Blenheim Mk.I 3535, 1.Bomber Regiment (1.BP). Shot by British ships from Preveze harbor in Greece. Crash landed near Ioannina, crew of two unhurt.
12 April 1941 – Three Dorniers Do17K from 3.Bomber Regiment (3.BP) bombed own troops near Sokolac in Bosnia. Few wounded soldiers on the ground. No one killed.
15 April 1941 – Hawker Hurricane Mk.I 2337, 2.Fighter Regiment (2.LP). Shot by Yugoslav S.79 gunner during escort to target in Albania. Hurricane slightly damaged landed at Kapino Polje airfield.
15 April 1941 – Dornier Do17K 3348, 3.Bomber Regiment (3.BP). Shot by Australian troops while landing at Menidi airfield. Dornier only slightely damaged.
16 April 1941 – S.79 „white 12“ unknown s/n, 7.Bomber Regiment (7.BP) shot by British ships from Preveze harbor in Greece. Crash landed, some of crew and passengers badly hurt. Minister Marko Daković died shortly after.

All the Best

Aleks

[Brian]

Many thanks Aleks

Your 'small' contribution is in fact a major contribution!

Excellent

Cheers
Brian

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Not a new case, but an interesting note from the ORB of 609 Sqn RAF, on 5 April 1941:
"In afternoon Squadron subjected to a recognition test at Station Intelligence Office, won by F/O Bisdee and P/O Hill (the C.O., who took the examination later, cheated by naming a captured Sunderland as one of the types of German 4 engined aircraft, and was disqualified). N.B. Britain has so many new types of bombers, some American, that recognition is at present rather a preoccupation of the authorities. 25 friendly bombers are said to have been shot down by our fighters last month, which is more than the Germans accounted for."

25 RAF Bombers shot down by friendly fire in March 1941, I hope it was exagerated !

[GuerraCivil]

Some friendly fire cases by Red Army Air Force (Soviets) during Winter War against Finland 1939-1940:

49 IAP (49th Fighter Aviation Regiment):

On 6.12.1939 the unit opened its air victory record when four of its I-16 fighters attacked an enemy flying boat. The enemy plane went down in flames, only one parachute. One of I-16 pilots, I.P. Murazonav was hit by returnfire of enemy.
In reality the downed plane was Soviet MBR-2 of Ladoga flotilla and only lieutnant Petrov of its crew managed to bail out although he was wounded, all three other crewmen were killed. The tragic incident was investigated and it showed that the flight of MBR-2 was not informed to 8th Air Army (in which 49 IAP belonged) and also that many Red Army Air Force pilots were unable to identify Soviet naval planes.

On 1.1.1940 was again a bad day for 49 IAP. Lieutnant Gluhin attacked twin engined enemy bomber which he probably thought to be a Finnish Blenheim. However, it was a SB bomber of 18 SBAP and all of its crew was killed.

7 IAP (7th Fighter Aviation Regiment):

On 25.12.1939 one I-16 fighter of 7 IAP spotted an enemy Bulldog biplane and shot it down. However the plane was in reality a I-15 bis plane of the same 7 IAP. The I-15 bis pilot Pavel Khutakov managed to bail out successfully. This saved him for brilliant military career. Pavel Khutakov was the Commander-in-Chief and Chief Air Marshall of Soviet Air Force in 1969-1984.

[Brian]

Many thanks GC

Excellent gen.

Cheers
Brian

[Rainer]

Another naval related friendly fire incident:

The convoy WS-21 left the Clyde on 29 July 1942 with 19 troop transport and a strong escort of destroyers and cruisers bound for Freetown. At 08.55 hours on 31 July the Sunderland W4025 of 201 Squadron RAF took off from Lough Erne to escort this convoy northwest of Ireland. However, when it arrived over the convoy in very low visibility one of the ships* shot down the Sunderland in position 55°23N, 14°13W at 10.25 hours. HMS LEDBURY picked up the sole survivor (Sgt Wheatley).

The following crew members were lost:
F/Lt James Robert Traill, RAF
F/Lt Walter Harry Wakefield, RAF
P/O John Allen, RAF
F/Sgt James Andrew Collins, RAF
F/Sgt Maurice John Tomley, RAF
Sgt William Bluck, RAF
Sgt Clifford Gurney Fort, RAAF
Sgt John Robert Goodings, RAF
Sgt Vivian Lewis, RAAF
Sgt Harry Scarce, RAF
Sgt Norman Williams, RAF

*It is often stated that HMS HAWKINS shot down the Sunderland, but the cruiser was in command of the escorts and only reported the incident to the Admiralty without identifying which ship fired at the aircraft.

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Hello,

Brian, I guess you have already this case: the Catalina 202/K shot down by merchant ship(s) of convoy KMS-3 on 20 November 1942, but the link below is providing extensive details:
http://www.202-sqn-assoc.co.uk/files/friendly_fire.pdf

But the story gives not the serial of the Catalina, so if anybody has it I will be interested.

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Hello,

I have not seen it on this thread. On 11 September 1943, the ORB of 93 Sqn RAF recorded the following:
"Patrol over PEACHES. On landing at strip N.8505 (on orders from controller) American flak opened up on our aircraft which were in circuit, with wheels and flaps down. S/L Macdonald was hit in the tail and crashed, being killed. Sgt Baxter was hit, and crash landed unhurt. Other aircraft were damaged, but managed to land. After refuelling 6 A/C airborne 1610-1655 hrs, returning to base. One A/C was late in starting back, and has not yet returned. The pilot (F/S. Andrews) was heard to say he was airborne, but there has been no further news of him."
http://www.danishww2pilots.dk/sorties.php?id=1431

My guess is that the shot down Spitfire was EF674, also listed there:
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=2670&page=8

EF674 VcT West M50 8MU 14-5-43 82MU 4-6-43 SS707 10-6-43 Casablanca 29-6-43 shot down by US AA fire on landing approach Sala Italy 11-9-43

[udf_00]

FP 153 20 November 1942
www.202-sqn-assoc.co.uk/files/Autumn-2005.pdf (http://www.202-sqn-assoc.co.uk/files/Autumn-2005.pdf)

[Brian]

Excellent information, guys.

And I'm certain it's only the tip of the iceberg!

Cheers
Brian

[Darius]

Hi,

very fine Information about the convoy vs aircraft incidents.

I have here to add this one red-on-red accident to the forumlist (hoping, this wasn´t told here before).

Source: DEFE 3/835, ZIP/ZTPI 3353:


TOO 1850/2030/15/2/41
TOI 2308/0528/16/2/41

PATRAS TO ROME
IMPORTANT

FROM: NAVAL COMMAND PELOPONNESE, PATRAS

3000 FURTHER TO MY 65156 OF 15/12. I REPORT THAT TODAY AT ABOUT 1400 HOURS 7 GERMAN AIRCRAFT FLEW OVER THE ROADSTED AT ARGOSTOLI, AT LOW ALTITUDE, MAKING RECOGNITION IN TIME IMPOSSIBLE. AS THE DIRECTION WAS THE SAME AT THAT FROM WHICH ENEMY AIRCRAFT USUALLY COME THE A.A. DEFENCES ENTERED INTO ACTION AND CEASED FIRE AS SOON AS RECOGNITION TOOK PLACE. ONE AIRCRAFT WAS HIT AND LANDED NEAR PIRGOS WITHOUT INJURING ANYONE. IN ORDER TO AVOID THE REPETITION OF REGRETTABLE INCIDENTS IT IS NECESSARY TO COMMUNICATE URGENTLY TO THE GERMAN AIR FORCE THE PROHIBITION TO FLY OVER ARGOSTOLI, NAVARINO, PAPAS, PATRAS, AND THE CORINTH CANAL. MESSAGE ENDS.

(DEPT.NOTE: 65156 NOT RECIVED)

Kind regards

Darius

[Brian]

Many thanks, Darius

Great stuff. Very much appreciated.

Cheers
Brian

[Tony Kambic]

From 57th FG history:

MACR 3990 24-MAR-44, Cover flight of 4 P-47s attacked by Spitfire (Mk 8 ? ) bringing down one P-47 (42-75636) and pilot Lt. Coughlin perished. 3 miles west of Tiber River.

[Laurent Rizzotti]

48 cases of friendly fire (from the air and from ships) against US submarines in the Pacific:
http://www.subsowespac.org/the-patrol-zone/friendly-force-attack-incidents.shtml

[Brian]

Hi Laurent

I can only say 'WOW'!!

Great stuff - many thanks!

Cheers
Brian

[Observer1940]

Hello Brian
One for your book, it now appears from my research that one of the two RAF Whitleys which crashed into a balloon 15th August 1940 near Eastleigh was involved in a friendly fire incident before the collision and crash.

14-15 August 1940 Headquarters No.4 Group

Two aircraft fouled balloon cables and crashed on return, one aircraft shot at by friendly aircraft but no damage. The other aircraft having engine and intercom trouble.

I have traced the "other aircraft" okay in the Squadron and Station ORBs and also the No.4 Group Signal in the appendices regarding Whitley P4982 which hit the balloon barrage of 956 Squadron Langley, HQ Colnbrook.

Whitley P5044
However, the Signal reporting Whitley P5044 is missing in the No.4 Group Appendices.

Above quote shortened.

Going through the paperwork sent to the family back in 1940 and my Grandfather's brother has written to the RAF Records Office to discover more about the circumstances, relating to the loss of his brother Sgt Claude L. G. Hood.

The letter acknowledgement from the RAF Records Office regarding the Whitley of Captain Stenhouse, has been sent with the Service Number reference of another Airman (not one of the Whitley crew), saying that they will get the Squadron to respond direct. Shortly afterward, a letter arrives, from 77 Squadron, RAF Topcliffe signed by F/Lt. D Goudie (or F/Lt. O Goudie), about hitting a balloon cable.

Fire in Air.
The term 'fire on impact' does not always mean when hitting the ground, in other accidents impact means the collision with trees, cable etc. Therefore, 'Fire in Air' suggests on fire before impact with the cable.

Also locally although they knew a balloon collision was involved, locals were told Whitley P5044 had been hit by enemy action and the daughter of the adjacent house observed events after the crash. One crew member is recorded differently in The Times Casualty List.

However, a check of the files in AIR 14 indicates that none of the No. 4 Group 22 Whitleys were lost due to enemy action on that Op. The No. 4 Group ORB only refers to a friendly fire incident.

This accident is also one of the so called balloon collisions, which does not have a surviving Balloon Centre & Balloon Command written report in the files.

Anyway, regarding this letter being sent to our family later in 1940, off the file of another RAF Serviceman's reference, I have traced this number (and confirmed using AIR 78) to another pilot.

Research is continuing.

Regards Mark

[Darius]

Hello,

no time for searching ;-)

KTB Skl for 23.05.1944
In der Nacht zum 23. schossen MS-Boote niedrig fliegendes Flugzeug vor Le Havre ab, später als eigenes Flugzeug festgestellt, hatte zu spät ES geschossen. Ein Mann gerettet.You know the type & unit of this aircraft?

Greetings

Darius

[baxterwood]

I am trying to find information about a friendly fire incident during which my late father's C.O. was killed, maybe someone could help.

He was;

Christopher James Croasdale Bowen, B. 1915 New Zealand.

Major, 612 F.S. R.E. 11th Armoured Division, 1941-44 KIA 1.9.44 Harbarcq, France.

From CWGC;

BOWEN, CHRISTOPHER JAMES CROASDAILE Rank: Major. Service No: 63533. Date of Death: 01/09/1944. Age: 29.
Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers Offr. Cdg. 612 Field Sqn.
Grave Reference: Plot 4. Row AA. Grave 1. Cemetery: AUBIGNY COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION.
Additional Information:B.A. (Cantab.). Son of Charles Henry Croasdaile Bowen and of Frances Sybil Bowen (nee Danson), of Selborne, Hampshire; husband of Helen Florence Anderton Bowen (nee Lyon), of Selborne.


The entry for the Field Squadron War Diary for 1.9.44 reads;

Harbarcq. 1.9.1944. 1900 hrs (approx.) Maj. Bowen set out for Div. H.Q.to visit C.R.E. at Aubigny 3408 en route his Jeep was attacked by Br. fighter aircraft. Maj. Bowen was killed. Profound shock to the whole Sqn which he had commanded for almost 3 years (since October 1941)

I have located some more details from a French village website for Aubigny, amongst which the attackers were 'two aggressive Spitfires' however it would be helpful if I could narrow down the A/C operations for that day. I do realise this might well be a big ask and may well mean I need to check some Ops Diaries at Kew, I live in Yorkshire too, but I really have no idea where to start I might just end up groping in the 'dark'!

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Peter

[Allan125]

Hello Peter

this is a similar incident, described in "The Black Bull" by Patrick Delaforce. "The cavalry 'gallop' continued. After sleep, replenishment of petrol, rations and mail, the objective for 1 September was to be Aubigny, 10 miles north-west of Arras, some 33 miles north-east of Amiens....I just got to a firing position on high ground near Estree when the engine conked [As Echelon arrived to fill up] a Squadron of Spitfires attacked the Fifes and brewed up one petrol truck and destroyed our barbers' tools. The order to "get your hair cut" was now meaningless"

According to 2TAF Vol 2 Breakout to Bodenplatte July 1944 to January 1945 by Shores & Thomas it relates that it was mainly a day of movement for the fighter wings, and recce wings.

125 Wing for example (in which my late father served) covers the period 29/8/44 to 7/9/44 in one ORB entry, something that happened rarely as it was usually a daily entry - the scribe was obviously busy elsewhere away from his typewriter! (They did a similar thing in late September, early October, when they moved from B.70 Antwerp/Deurne to B.82 Grave)

"In these few days 125 Wing dropped in at 3 different strips and covered a total distance of 223 miles as the crow flies. ‘A’ Party left B.19 at LINGEVRES on the 29th August and moved to B.34 near DAMVILLE and south of EVREUX. This strip proved to be completely unserviceable and when ‘A’ Party had been there 36 hours, orders were received to move on to B.40 which was located S.E. of BEAUVAIS. It was just a case of chasing the Army the whole time, and this time the Allied armies were moving very fast and in the right direction with the Hun showing a clean pair of heels. While the aircraft were left behind at B.19 with the ‘B’ Party, what little flying was done proved entirely uneventful. The front line had moved so fast that with 90 gallon tanks a patrol of short duration over ARRAS-AMIENS was all that was possible.

On September 1st ‘A’ Party moved off to cross the SEINE to B.40, a strip located S.E. of BEAUVAIS between NIVILLERS and VILONGE a distance of 60 miles as the crow flies. ‘B’ Party was left behind at LINGEVRES and when orders came to move they had to do the trip from LINGEVRES to BEAUVAIS by road a distance of approximately 160 miles. The convoy was split into 3 parties and halts were made at 2030 at night and 0830 in the morning for hot meal which was served in very short time under difficult conditions. The journey was commenced at 1600 hrs and BEAUVAIS was reached at approximately 1100 hrs the following morning. There were one or two breakdowns on the road but the convoys as a whole were a most orderly and efficient sight.

BEAUVAIS proved quite a pleasant spot and the strip was shared with 122 Wing. But we were not destined to rest there long and on the 4th of September “A” party were ordered to move again. The Army was evidently out to break all records. B.52 was located S.E. of DOUAI and proved a welcome spot having every appearance of a static station with decent roads and buildings which later served ideally for H.Q.’s and Messes. The lavatories were certainly fully fashioned enough to please the most statically minded personnel. From DOUAI some uneventful front line patrols were flown from BRUSSELS – ANTWERP. Things were moving so fast that we were again being outranged by advances of Allied Troops. We are still wondering why we are still here. Our nomadic life has become such a habit that we begin to fret if we stay in a place much over 24 hours."

I would tend to think that the other Wings ORB's would be completed in a similar manner, so really you would need to find the entries for the individual squadrons involved to see if they claimed any MET (Motorised Enemy Transport, as they obviously presumed it to be), in the case of 125 Wing it would be: 132 (City of Bombay) Squadron, 453 Squadron RAAF, 441 (Silver Fox) Squadron RCAF and 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron, and although nothing is in the Wing ORB précis that does not mean that no MET had been attacked and had been written up in the actual Squadron ORB for that day - not much help I admit, sorry!

"Fighter Command War Diaries" by John Foreman reports "Day: General The Allied advance continued; the enclave at Dieppe was captured by the Canadians. British forces took Arras and the US advance reached Cambrai and Verdun. Offensive Operations: Armed Reconnaissances by Spitfire units resulted in the loss of five pilots reported missing, mostly by flak..."

Good luck in your quest. Please keep us updated if you find an answer.

Allan

[Observer1940]

First 24 hours of Operation Overlord - loss of 113 aircraft, many by friendly fire.

"6 Jun 1944 See D-Day. Allied air forces flew a total of 14,674 sorties during the first 24 hours of Operation Overlord for the loss of 113 aircraft, many by friendly fire. Fighter cover for the invasion beaches was provided by nine squadrons of Spitfires, while Typhoon and Mustang fighter-bombers of 2nd TAF flew armed reconnaissance missions further inland. Such was the Allied air supremacy that the Luftwaffe only flew 319 sorties in the same period."

http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/rafhistorytimeline1944.cfm

[Observer1940]

Hello Brian and All

From June 1941 78 Squadron Form 541, AIR 27/660/24

18/6/41
Whitley V, Z6577
Sgt Drummond
Sgt Dawson
Sgt Pratt
Sgt Adams

Time up 22.54
Time down 05.18

Target - Bremen

... "Aircraft was holed in fuselage, both wings and tail from flak fire, and enemy aircraft, the encounter taking place at 0300 hrs. at 9,000 ft."
"This aircraft is claimed as damaged by the Captain of a nearby aircraft. Weather: very little high cloud; thick ground haze."

Mark

[Observer1940]

Hello Peter

This would likely have been reported up the chain. Look in the Unit War Diary Appendices for Operational Instructions etc., with a Distribution List and take a note of other Units / Chain of Command and look up the War Diaries in the List. But no guarantee of finding anything further.

Try separate searches of 'friendly', 'own', 'identification', 'recognition', 'fire', 'firing', 'allied', etc., with year, in 'WO' and 'AIR' etc. Some General or Policy files on the subjects just mentioned, might have odd references to incidents.

A search has been on/off for 15 years for more information, about the friendly fire incident mentioned here, if you log in you can see document image:-
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=29746 (http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=29746)

'AIR' reference, search 'friendly' for '1944' gives 27 records and this gives (no guarantee of whether incident is here, or elsewhere):- AIR 37/650

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r/2?_st=adv&_ep=friendly&_cr1=AIR&_dss=range&_sd=1944&_ed=1944&_ro=any

Mark

[Darius]

Hallo zusammen,

ich habe hier aus dem KTB des Seeko Narvik:
06.05.1940, Vormittags Deutsche Bombertätigkeit. 1 Bomber belegt den Narviker Hafen. Vor dem Luftschutzkeller am Malmkai trifft eine Bombe die M.A.Gfr. Teich, Tietz, Kaddatz u. 2 Matrosen. Leicht verwundet wir der M.A.Gfr. Reintrog.
Liste der Gefallenen, Vermissten und die Heimat abtransportierten Soldaten der MAA 301.

a) Gefallene:
1 M.A.Gfr. Kaddatz (Otto) 0.606/36 K
2 M.A.Gfr. Teich (Friedr.) 688/38 K
3 M.A.Gfr. Tietz (Otto) 803/34 WS

--> Am 6.5.40 durch dt. Fliegerbombe in Narvik getotet.
Am 8.5.40 auf dem Friedhof in Narvik bestattet. Holzkreuz mit Name auf Grab.Regards

Darius

[Darius]

Hi,

KTB des Kommando der Marinestation der Nordsee for 24.09.1939:
18.50 Uhr, Meldung Fluko Wilhelmshaven, daß in der Gegend von Tönning 3 feindliche Eindecker unter Feuer genommen sind. Es stellt sich heraus, daß von der Flakartillerie der Luftwaffe eigene Flugzeuge erfolglos beschossen sind.

Regards

Darius

[Brian]

Hi Darius

Thanks for the last two postings.

My coffers are swelling!

Cheers
Brian

[Tomas1979]

Frindly fire was really rare during World war Two air fighting. Many times it was only fake friendly fire incident. Pilot didnt recognise enemy aircraft and didnt know what really happend.

I have something bigger here from ma academia.edu page.

The same could happend during Baders shot down. He was probably shot down by Bf 109F, not by Casson.

I have to say as war historian I am realy tired by fake friendly fire stories based on pilots not credible testimonies. Pilots testimonies, stories etc. are not reliable even during combat, two times more after landing and TEN times not reliable after months or even years. When you are as POW in camp, you just thinking what you should do, what you did wrong whole day. Over and over again. You want to be usefull and good warrior. You just want to appologise for being shot down and you desperately want to show your success. So, you could tell people, that you definitely shot down enemy plane before being shot down himself struggling for survival....!
As war historian you MUST be suspicious and do not believe everything you hear from pilots, even if you LOVE them personaly. Pilots have very difficult situation and canʼt see much from cockpit doing maneuvres. They will tell you incredible stories based on few seconds of combat. Do not believe them a word. You must compare stories and records. Construct your theories on paper, not on STORY told you by pilot. Only, and only if, everything match together, publish your version of events! And still its only possible version of combat. You cant be sure for 100 % even if records and claims match perfectly.

Do you want example? Could anybody blame F/Lt John Charles Dundas that by shouting "I've finished a 109—Whoopee!", he did shot down one of his friends from No. 609. Squadron? Could enybody say that? I wil NOT. Its nonsence, its assumption, its not historical. What really happened? Dundas was shooting, didnt hit, but saw plane falling down. Combat is so quick, that many pilots saw one plane going down and thinking "I just killed the enemy", and It was only one aeroplane. It could be FC fighter! Did they destroyed FC Spitfire? No! They just saw plane falling down.
During combat after 16.00 over Isle of Wight on 28th November 1940 no German fighter was even hit! No. 609 Squadron lost 4 planes.
Spitfire Mk.IIA X4590/PR-F P/O Alfred Keith Ogilvie (Yellow 3) unhurt - hit in fuselage and propeller by two cannon shells and landed at 16.55. Repaired and took off again with P/O Piotr „Osti‟ Ostaszewski-Ostoja on 12th December 1940 at 13.35.
Spitfire Mk.IA X4165/PR- P/O Janusz Żurakowski unhurt - hit by cannon shell into fuselage (left plate) and landed.
Spitfire Mk.IIA R6631/PR-Q P/O Paul Abbott Baillon KIA hit by Me 109 fire somewhere near Isle of Wight. Burried at Bayeux War Cemetery.
Spitfire Mk.IIA X4586/PR-D F/Lt John Charles Dundas KIA - hit by Me 109 fire somewhere near Isle of Wight, probably south.
Suitable claims: Gefr. Friedrich Schumann (1.) z 1./JG 2, Spitfire at 17.15 Isle of Wight, Fw. Karl Pfeiffer (2., 3.) from 3./JG 2, 2xSpitfire at 17.20 and 17.21 S. Isle of Wight (OKL+JFV d.Dt.Lw. 4/I-265B až 267B), Ltn. Julius Meimberg (8.) from 4./JG 2, Spitfire at 17.20 S. Isle of Wight (OKL+JFV d.Dt.Lw. 4/I-104B).

[Nick Beale]

As war historian you MUST be suspicious and do not believe everything you hear from pilots ... You must compare stories and records.

I think that when you have spent more time on this site you will see that most people here, several of them published authors, are well aware of that.

[Brian]

Hi Thomas

To quote: "Frindly fire was really rare during World war Two air fighting. Many times it was only fake friendly fire incident. Pilot didnt recognise enemy aircraft and didnt know what really happend."

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I have to say that I am 100% opposed to your statement. In all of my studies over the years I believe that what has so far been revealed is only the tip of the iceberg!

Cheers
Brian

[Bruce Dennis]

Tomas, I am interested in your point. Many of the contributors here are trying to establish the truth behind the conflicting details that records give us, so if you have some research to show that our research is incorrect, please share it.

Each friendly fire incident must be treated in isolation, by my logic, because not one of them was planned: each and every one was an accident. I cannot tell from your words if you believe that most of the incidents deemed to be friendly fire did not happen so I must ask: are you saying that the records are lies? If so, why would so many seperate commanders, flight leaders, intelligence officers and distraught individuals want to claim falsely that an airman had shot at one of his own?

Bruce

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Tomas, I can't agree with your statement that "Frindly fire was really rare during World war Two air fighting."

Because there are at least hundred of documented cases. Your two examples (Bader and 609 Sqn) are during actual battles vs Allied and German aircraft, and in this kind of cases it is very difficult, if not impossible, to know what have happened.
But many of the cases listed in this thread or in Brian's "Blue on Blue" book are situation when only people of one side were present, and attacked each other.

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Found today online a list of Romanian air losses during WWII (not complete, especially in 1945, but still very much than what I had before):
https://www.facebook.com/notes/romanian-ww2-aircraft-archeology/wip-list-of-crashed-damaged-arr-aircraft/839174729490669

I selected the entries who are indicated as friendly fire losses:

Date Unit Squadron A/C Type Nr / Wnr Time Location Crew Description Source
24/06/1941 Gr. 3 Vt. Esc. 44 Vt. PZL P.11f ? Aerodrom Botosani Downed in error by german Bf109 From Barbarossa to Odessa Vol 1 - Denes Bernad
28/06/1941 Esc. 15 Obs. IAR 39 83 Mihaleseni, Botosani Slt. Cicerone Popescu + Shot down by germans Arhive via Alex
28/06/1941 Gr. 5 Vt. Esc. 51 Vt. He 112-B 6 Obrejiţa, VN Slt. Ctin. Zmeu + Downed by own AA Arhive via Alex
09/07/1941 IAR 39 ? Padurea Preajba, Vlasca Lt. Ctin. Catrina + Lt. Dumitru Militaru + AA fire / Own
18/09/1943 Gr. 8 Asalt Hs 129B-2 140729 Qu.5881 AA fire friendly 40% Michiel @ LRG
15/08/1944 Flot. 3 Aero Tr Bf 108 4 langa gara Buhaesti Cpt. Deica Dumitru Downed by germa AA by mistake Raport original Arhive Pitesti
23/08/1944 Gr. 7 Vt. Esc. 56 Vt ? Bf 109G 9 albstr. Intre com. Stefanesti si Tunari Adj. Av. Stioloc Ctin. + AA fire / Friendlt Raport original Arhive Pitesti
07/09/1944 Flot. 3 Aero Tr Esc. 105 TG Ju 52 7 Com. Raul Vadului Adj. Sef. Gh. Rares + Downed by enemy AA rusesc din eroare Raport original Arhive Pitesti

Best regards

[Laurent Rizzotti]

A Swiss newspapers (in French) describing several incidents on or just before 12 September 1944, with several dead:
http://doc.rero.ch/record/97143/files/1944-09-12.pdf

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Still adding entries I found (usually while searching something else...)

On 31 May 1942 two OS2U-3 landplanes of VS-1D-11, based at NAS San Pedro, California, were on a routine morning ASW patrol over the ocean, when at 0550 hrs, eleven miles at sea, bearing 260 degrees from Point Vincente, California, they were attacked by six P-39 USAAF fighters. The OS2U-3 Buno 5364 flown by Lt H H Hirschy (pilot) and RM1c Milton E Cox (radioman), was shot up so badly that they were forced to make a crash landing at sea. Lt Hirschy first jettisoned his depth charges in an attempt to remain airborne and as a safety measure and then upon complete engine failure made a water landing. Successfully escaping from the sinking plane, they succeeded in partially inflating the bullet-pierced two-man life raft and with that and their life jackets they managed to stay afloat. After four hours in the water they were picked up by a merchant vessel, the SS Mercury.
The pther plane of the section, piloted by Ens C S Willard (pilot) and AOM3c Melvin Bird (radioman), succeeded in evading most of the enemy fire (six, it is written like that in the VS-36 official war history). On the second run of the P-39's, in which Lt Hirschy was shot down, Ens Willard received four bursts amidshups which caused minor damage, but was able to evade further fire by hugging the deck and returning to base. As he landed, two P-39s zzomed alongside but withheld their fire.

Source:
VS-46 War History (available online at https://www.fold3.com/image/302008068 and https://www.fold3.com/image/302008076)
Eleventh Naval District and Naval Operating Base, San Diego, California, War Diary, May 1942 (available online at https://www.fold3.com/image/268360344)

No idea who the P-39s were, I guess the OS2U were mistaken for Japanese floatplanes (some launched by submarines flew over the US West Coast in 1942).

[Brian]

Hi Laurent

Fascinating!

As ever, sincere thanks for your on-going contributions - I'll have to write a book!!

Cheers
Brian

[Laurent Rizzotti]

You're welcome Brian.

It's a strange day as my two searches so far today have each led to the discovery of a friendly fire incident with only a very small connection to the subject of my search.

Here is the second: on 6 April 1944, retreating British and Indian troops near Imphal were attacked by Allied aircraft, suffering casualties (at the end of the page, it is not possible to copy text)
http://www.ww2imphalcampaign.com/articles/126-battle-of-kanglatongbi

[Laurent Rizzotti]

On 1 December 1941, an Italian column was going to attack a British base when at around 1600 hrs it was bombed in error by German Stukas near Bir Berraneb (Libya). In the column were armored cars of the Polizia Africa Italiana. One was hit and three crew, vicebrigadiere Enzo Bertoglio, guardia Renzo Anelli and guardia Anelli Renzo, were killed.
http://www.cadutipolizia.it/fonti/1925-1943/1941anelli.htm

On 27 January 1944 the Italian town of Caiazzo, liberated since three months and 40 miles from the front, was bombed in error by US bombers and 18 people were killed.
http://asmvpiedimonte.altervista.org/Caiazzo/Caiazzo_guerra_43.html

[Laurent Rizzotti]

On 7 August 1942, VT-8 bombed several places on Mailata Island, Solomons, far away from any Japanese position.
http://www.archaehistoria.org/solomon-islands-archaeology/25-wwii-archaeological-sites-of-the-malaita-island/166-site-mala24-mistaken-bombing-by-usn-torpedo-squadron-8

Almost two years later, in May 1944, another villager of Mailata was killed when bombed in error during an US training mission.
http://www.archaehistoria.org/solomon-islands-archaeology/25-wwii-archaeological-sites-of-the-malaita-island/141-site-mala21-accidental-american-bombing

[hanshauprich]

Night of 21. March 1945
Hudson III FK 803 161 Sqdn. shoot down by P-61 from 422 NFS, (Anderson/Koehler) A. think it was an Dornier Do 217.
Hudson crashes in Luxembourg/Maulusmühle.
Pilot from FK 803 bailed out, rest of crew and 3 Belgian Agents KIA
Few remains from the Hudson still on place.
h.

[Darius]

From "Die 101. Jäger-Division", p. 384:

III./Jäg.Rgt. 228, Gefechtsbericht für die Zeit von 21. Januar bis 29. März 1942:
[...]
24.01.1942. Gegen 13 Uhr wird Kurulka II von eigenen Stukas bombardiert (3 Tote und einige Verwundete).Kurulka II is located north-west of Sslawjansk.

Darius

[Darius]

same source, p. 575:

28.05.1943, during russian attacks near Krymskaja:

[...]Luftflotte 4 unterstützte auch heute unter starker Zusammenfassung der Kräfte die Abwehrkämpfe an der Front der Division. Eigene Jäger erzielten im Luftraum des Kubanbrückenkopfes 35 Abschüsse, wovon ein Großteil auf den Raum der Abwehrschlacht bei Kiewskoje fällt. Die entscheidende Bedeutung der Luftwaffenunterstützung wird durch die schwer ringende Infanterie dankbar anerkannt. Trotzdem kommen Meldungen aus der Truppe, die bedauerliche Irrtümer im richtigen Erkennen der Erdziele zum Gegenstand haben. Am 27. Mai warf ein Verband von 62 Stuka die gesamte Bombenlast in die eigene in Gorischtschnyj kämpfende Truppe und traf hierbei Pi.Btl. 101 und Pi.Btl. 46. Die hierdurch hervorgerufene moralische Erschütterung hat weitgehend dazu beigetragen, daß bei dem anschließenden Feindangriff diese Teile der Kampfgruppe Schury sich in ihrer Stellung nicht mehr halten konnten und auf das Höhengelände hart nordostwärts Krassnyj zurückgingen. Heute warfen die auf 121,4 anfliegenden Stuka um 17.30 Uhr zur Hälfte ihre Bomben auf die Stellungen des Pi.Btls. 101. Die Division sah sich verpflichtet, diese Tatsachen zur Ausschaltung eines Wiederholungsfalls nach oben weiter zu melden. Leider wird dies als unliebsame Störung des Einvernehmens zwischen Heer und Luftwaffe ausgelegt. Bezüglich des Verhaltens der Luftwaffe wurde aus dem Generalkommando im Rahmen der Tagesmeldung auf Befehl des Divisionskommandeurs folgendes zur Kenntnis gebracht:[...]Darius

[jetaca]

Last night while I was looking for something completely different I stumbled upon the following “friendly” fire information. Funny how that works.

On 18 March 1945 the 352nd FG, 353rd FG, 357th FG & 359th FG all had contact with Soviet fighters in the Berlin area.

A P-51 from the 353rd and one from the 352nd crash landed behind Soviet lines as a result of engagements with the Soviets.

Several flights of 352nd FG mixed it up with Yak-9s but combat was broken off when proper recognition was established. However, Lt. Albert Peterson of the 487th FS got into a turning contest with four Yaks and got himself shot down. Peterson eventually made his way back to his base on 1 May 1945. I couldn’t find anything more on the 353rd FG or the 357th FG.

But the big story was what happened with the 359th FG over the airfields at Zackerick and Joachimsthal. Mustangs of the 368th FS and 369th FS shot down a total of nine and damaged one of the Russians in a good sized fracas with no losses. They also destroyed two more on the ground as they were taxiing to take off. The 359th initially mistook the La-5s for Fw 190s and the Yak-9s for Bf 109s. The Americans broke off combat when they figured out their mistake but in some cases the Soviets wanted to keep fighting so the Americans obliged and shot them down. The stats show that it was not much of a contest.

High scorers that day were Capt. Ralph Cox who shot down three La-5s and Maj. Niven Cranfill who flamed two Yak-9s. Both became aces with those victories.

Here are confirmed victories for the 359th FG on 18 March 1945:

Cranfill, 368th FS: 2 Yak-9s
Cox 368th FS: 3 La-5s
Burtner, 368th FS: 1 Yak-9
Burtner, 368th FS: 2 Yak-9s (ground)
McCormack, 368th FS: 1 Yak-9
Gaines, 368th FS: 1 Yak-9
McIntosh, 368th FS: 1 Yak-9
Berndt, 368th FS: 1 Yak-9 (damaged)

After the incident Lt. McIntosh was court marshaled and sent back to the USA because his was the only gun camera film evidence of the incident that survived.

On the Russian side Joseph Stalin had the surviving Russian pilots executed and expected the USA to do the same with the 359th pilots which of course never happened.
Cheers--

Troy

Are you proud of these "victories" of the allies? It is astounding, "aces" with such "victories". In the USSR did not boasted of such. They are not included in the statistics of victories.
Ivan Kozhedub (best ace of allies, with 62 victories over the Germans) on La-7:
- April 17, 1945: has been attacked by fighter escort of the 332 th Fighter Group... and shot down two P-51, оne exploded in the air, and the second landed in the location of Soviet troops, said that knocked down in a fight with FW-190))
http://army-news.ru/images_stati/Ivan_Kozhedub_2.jpg
http://coollib.com/i/44/262544/i_018.jpg

- late April - beginning of May 1945: shot down three B-17s in the Soviet occupation zone.

[Laurent Rizzotti]

A new air-to-ground case

26 January 1944
A bomb from one of our planes dropped by mistake damaged the southern breakwater and the building containing the Port Commander's offices at Kerch. One 2 cm AA gun was put out of action, three men were killed.

Source: War Diary German Naval Staff Operations Division for January 1944

[mars]

Are you proud of these "victories" of the allies? It is astounding, "aces" with such "victories". In the USSR did not boasted of such. They are not included in the statistics of victories.
Ivan Kozhedub (best ace of allies, with 62 victories over the Germans) on La-7:
- April 17, 1945: has been attacked by fighter escort of the 332 th Fighter Group... and shot down two P-51, оne exploded in the air, and the second landed in the location of Soviet troops, said that knocked down in a fight with FW-190))
http://army-news.ru/images_stati/Ivan_Kozhedub_2.jpg
http://coollib.com/i/44/262544/i_018.jpg

- late April - beginning of May 1945: shot down three B-17s in the Soviet occupation zone.

These clashes between Soviet and Western Allied air forces around the end of the war were actually more common than we used to thought, though we had no evidence that either side did it intentionally, it was rather caused by misidentification, you flew to enemy space, you met an aircraft did not look like belong to your side, so you shot immediately. As far as I know, neither side included these into their official scores.
Besides, just want to ask Mr Troy, what is his source about "On the Russian side Joseph Stalin had the surviving Russian pilots executed ", this claims sound suspicious, more like a cold war propaganda, I know quite a few these friendly fir cases between VVS and USAAF over Hungary and Czech, none of the Soviet pilots involved were executed

[Frank Olynyk]

Cranfill is the only pilot from the 368th FS. All the others are from the 369th FS.

None of these claims against Russian aircraft are included in the pilots scores. As far as I know they never prepared Personal Encounter Reports (=combat reports).

Cranfill had four victories as of this date. His fifth, and last, victory was against a Me 262 on March 19, 1945.

Cox had four victories as of this date. He is credited with a FW 190 on this date at 1135, at Joachimsthal. The claims against Russian aircraft were made at Zackerick A/F, N of Kustrin. I do not know where Joachimsthal is with respect to Zackerick or Kustrin.

FO Harley E Berndt claimed a Me-109 damaged at 1130 at Joachimsthal. Gaines claimed a Me-109 at 1135 at Joachimsthal.

It is of course possible that the claims for Me-109s are for Yaks, and the FW-190 claimed could be a La-5 or -7. But the 109 and 190 claims were officially confirmed.

My information on the claims against the Russians comes from the book Mustangs and Unicorns, and I would love to know where the author got that information. Does anyone know?

Enjoy!

Frank.

[mooog1]

I have the operations record book for that incident, but no mention of a friendly fire incident

[Bruce Dennis]

From CX/MSS/2456:

16 April 1943, 8/JG.2

8/JG.2
Compiled by Pruefmeister AK WESTPHAL
1900 hours 15/4
Received by Feldw. EISENSCHMIDT
Place, date and time of accident: BREST harbour 1414 hours 14/4
Weather situation: no influence
Fw 190-5, werk no. 2643, black 8
Shot down by own ship flak.
A/c crashed in flames. Pilot baled out from about 100 meters. Parachute not completely open when Feldw. EISELE hit the watewr. Engagement with enemy.
Damage 100%. Replacement required.
Have the next of kin been informed? Yes. In writing.
Replacement required? Yes.

NOTE: the name of the ship is not given.
Bruce

[Laurent Rizzotti]

343rd Field Artillery Battalion, US Army, 17-18 August 1944
"As more troops were rushed up to plug the holes left behind the racing T-O boys, the 90th edged toward Chambois, driving and blocking until only one road remained that the battered German 7th Army could even hope to escape through. On 17 August, while moving to a position northwest of Nonant Le Pins, two P-38‘s circling overhead came down to strafe the column. The second came in too low, shearing the tops of four telephone poles and hitting Baker Battery‘s 4th gun section truck with its wing and propeller. Four men were killed and two injured during the strafing. The men killed were T/4 John Burkhart, Pfc. Henry Maul, Pfc. Fred D. Weyl, Jr., and Pvt. Tony A. Vigil. The plane crashed and burned about 250 yards from the road. The pilot was killed in the crash and burned beyond recognition, but his dog tags identified him as an American pilot. The next day Service Battery made a special trip to pick up engineer supplies, which turned out to be one ―maul‖. In the course of getting these ―supplies, the truck was strafed by British Spitfires and the driver was injured."
Source:
http://www.90thdivisionassoc.org/History/UnitHistories/PDF/WW2/343%20FA%20Bn.pdf

The P-38 that crashed during the attack was possibly of 474th FG. See http://francecrashes39-45.net/page_fiche_av.php?id=6000

47th Armored Field Artillery Battalion, 2 November 1944
The battalion's first entry into Germany occurred at approximately 1360 near Rotgen, Germany, on November 2, where it went into firing positions to support a contemplated assault by CC "A" upon the towns of Strauch, Simmerath and Kesterneck. That afternoon at 1630 the battalion suffered the heaviest casualties it suffered in a single day. A flight of eleven P-38 planes circled the CP buildings and then bombed and strafed the area. The first three planes dropped two five-hundred pound bombs each, the first bomb hitting five yards from the assistant S-3's halftrack. Capt. E. D. Clark, Tec 6 A. G. Baker, Tec 6 Holscher, Tec 3 Nixon, Pfc. Leonard all were instantly killed. M Sgt Cate died of wounds the same day in a nearby hospital. Prompt action by a nearby anti-aircraft unit which fired recognition flares caused the remainder of the planes to pull out and leave the area.
The contemplated operation was cancelled and the remainder of the month of November saw the battalion engaged in firing interdiction, harassing, and some observed missions on the Siegfried Line defenses.
http://www.5ad.org/units/47AFA.html

202nd Field Artillery Battalion, 4 December 1944
"By tragic coincidence, at 1030 hours, the Battalion’s remaining L-4 Grasshopper observation and liaison aircraft was hit by friendly artillery fire and fell in flames near Puberg, Alsace, France. Pilot 1st Lt. Orris E. Herr and Observer 1st Lt. John W. White were killed instantly. A howitzer in “B” Battery was conducting registration fire in the area of Hinsbourg, France when the plane was hit."
http://www.202ndfieldartillery.com/Timeline.html

[Laurent Rizzotti]

On 22 March 1941, a Blenheim of 139 Sqn was shot down by British AA fire near Lowestoft. I guess Brian had already this but the Admiralty War Diaries (available online at if your have a fold3 account) include a message by C in C Bomber Command to Air Ministry about this that is interesting. See https://www.fold3.com/image/302108797.

Brian, if you don't have a fold3 account, tell me here and I wil copy the text.

[Brian]

Hi Laurent

Thanks once again.

My fold3 account has lapsed, so I would appreciate a copy of the report, please. My e-mail is now briancullauthor@gmail.com

Cheers
Brian

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Here it is:

N.O.I.C. Lowestoft states that at 1226 today an aircraft came in from seawards over Lowestoft at 700 to 1000 feet. Ships opened fore and A/C was hit in port engine and came down in flames near Oulton. No recognition signals fired and A/C came out of sun on course 285°. Blenheim type but no roundels seen on wings or body. Was probably hit by point fore from Queen Empress. A/C burnt out. Three bodies identified as RAF personnel. Further enquiry will be held.
(C. in C. Nore 1956/22 to Adty.)

OPS 626 22/1. Blenheim 139 Squadron, returning from Operational mission crossed coast Lowestoft 1226/22 on straight course and recognised as Blenheim by local Constabulary. After passing over town, Naval guns opened fire and aircraft hit and crashed with loss of all crew. Action by Naval guns in direct contravention of S.D. 158 (1) appendix "A" paragraph 3 (2). Regret that I must press for a searching enquiry so that the responsibility for this act may be established, and in order that Naval A.A. fire may be brought under a proper system of control. This is the fifth occasion since last October in which my aircraft have been engaged by A.A. fire at Lowestoft alone and illustrated the irresponsible manner in which fire is opened on friendly aircraft.
(C. in C. Bomber Cd. 2340/22 to Air Ministry)

[Brian]

Many thanks, Laurent

Just the job!

Cheers
Brian

[Juha]

Hello Brian
I don't know if this is already mentioned but at http://www.luftwaffe-zur-see.de/Seeluft/Verlustlisten/Jahr1941.htm there are at least a couple own goals.

Cheers
Juha

[Observer1940]

Here it is:

N.O.I.C. Lowestoft states that at 1226 today an aircraft came in from seawards over Lowestoft at 700 to 1000 feet. Ships opened fore and A/C was hit in port engine and came down in flames near Oulton. No recognition signals fired and A/C came out of sun on course 285°. Blenheim type but no roundels seen on wings or body. Was probably hit by point fore from Queen Empress. A/C burnt out. Three bodies identified as RAF personnel. Further enquiry will be held.
(C. in C. Nore 1956/22 to Adty.)

OPS 626 22/1. Blenheim 139 Squadron, returning from Operational mission crossed coast Lowestoft 1226/22 on straight course and recognised as Blenheim by local Constabulary. After passing over town, Naval guns opened fire and aircraft hit and crashed with loss of all crew. Action by Naval guns in direct contravention of S.D. 158 (1) appendix "A" paragraph 3 (2). Regret that I must press for a searching enquiry so that the responsibility for this act may be established, and in order that Naval A.A. fire may be brought under a proper system of control. This is the fifth occasion since last October in which my aircraft have been engaged by A.A. fire at Lowestoft alone and illustrated the irresponsible manner in which fire is opened on friendly aircraft.
(C. in C. Bomber Cd. 2340/22 to Air Ministry)


S.D. 158(1) is Part 1 of the Routeing, Recognition and Identification of Aircraft ... procedure / rules (also spelt "Routing" on the TNA catalogue) S.D. 158 (Secret Document 158) is the former department reference.

8 No 1940 & 1941 results here and there were a number of Editions for the various Parts.

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_aq=routing%20recognition&_cr=AIR%2010&_dss=range&_sd=1940&_ed=1941&_ro=any&_hb=tna&_st=adv


I think you have probably seen these 1941 files, Brian, but might be of interest to others. There were more incidents than these four files ...
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_ep=friendly&_col=0&_cr=AIR%2020&_dss=range&_sd=1941&_ed=1941&_ro=any&_hb=tna&_st=adv

Mark

[Laurent Rizzotti]

5 September 1944: an US sailor killed by a firing aircraft off Florida, could only be friendly fire. See https://www.fold3.com/image/287154490

[billrunnels]

Close Call. On 04/05/45 our target was an ordnance depot at Bayreuth, Germany. We were 10 seconds from bombs away when I took one last look through the bombsite and saw a squadron of B-24s at a lower altitude sliding into our drop zone. We aborted the drop, made a 360 for another run that was successful. Had we dropped on the first run we most likely would have taken an aircraft or two out of the sky.

[Laurent Rizzotti]

On 25 April 1941 the German Kampfgruppe Herff was supposed to take Halfaya Pass, on the Lybian-Egyption border, with air support.

The German aircraft (probably Bf 110s of ZG 26) attacked the concentration area of the German forces rather than Allied positions, and the Kampfgruppe lost 7 dead and 10 wounded only in this "friendly" air attack.

See https://rommelsriposte.com/2016/08/27/d-a-k-war-diary-25-april-1941/

[Brian]

Thanks guys

Sorry I haven't acknowledged recent postings sooner, but all much appreciated.

Cheers
Brian

[Laurent Rizzotti]

From the unofficial history of 445th Bomb Group (downloable at http://digicom.bpl.lib.me.us/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1100&context=ww_reg_his), a case of "friendly bombing" in England on 22 February 1944:
"February 22 found our planes headed for Gotha, Germany, but the mission was recalled. No crewmen or planes were lost, but tragedy struck our base in another form. Early in the afternoon while planes of a neighboring group were passing overhead on their way to their base, there was a terrific explosion. A bomb had accidentally been released from one of the planes, and it fell just outside the living site occupied by the enlised men of our Base Sub-Depot. Two enlisted men were killed, several were wounded, and damage was done to the buildings in the site. In addition, the wife of a near-by farmer was killed as she sat opposite her husband in the kitchen of their home. She fell over dead practically into the arms of her husband."

A quick search of the CWGC database show no woman killed on 22 February 1944 (all listed female civilian killed died from injuries). I checked the area (DEPWADE, RURAL DISTRICT) and there was a woman listed as killed on 22 February 1943, at Hill Farm, Great Moulton, east of Tibenham airfield, the base of 445th BG:
https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/3146525/cook,-helen-beatrice/
Could be interesting to check if CWGC has the date right.

The two American airmen killed were probably Sgt William Daly and S/Sgt Lester D McCormick, both of 462nd Sub Depot, that was attached to 445th BG at the time. Both died on 22 February 1944 and are buried in Cambridge American Cemetery.

[Laurent Rizzotti]

A loss to friendly fire for 360th BS, 303rd BG, on 6 February 1944

2Lt Creighton G. Doering (CP)(KIA) - 11 dispatched (10 credited) missions flown - All with 1Lt Underwood (93, 94, 95, 98, 99, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105 (Non Credited), 106) Was KIA on 6 February 1944 (Mission 106). Was hit with a 50 caliber bullet through the back of his head. Three bullets, believed to have been shot from a 379th BG(H) aircraft flying nearby, hit the B-17. One of the bullets was recovered. Body was returned to Molesworth.
Source: http://www.303rdbg.com/360underwood.html

[Brian]

Hi Laurent

Most interesting!

Research confirms that Mrs Cook did indeed die on 22 February 1944, so CWGC is in error!

Cheers
Brian

[AndreasB]

On 25 April 1941 the German Kampfgruppe Herff was supposed to take Halfaya Pass, on the Lybian-Egyption border, with air support.

The German aircraft (probably Bf 110s of ZG 26) attacked the concentration area of the German forces rather than Allied positions, and the Kampfgruppe lost 7 dead and 10 wounded only in this "friendly" air attack.

See https://rommelsriposte.com/2016/08/27/d-a-k-war-diary-25-april-1941/

Seems to have happened with disturbing regularity, on both sides.

All the best

Andreas

[Laurent Rizzotti]

“Doolittle´s after-effects”
On 18 April 1942, in the First Bombing of Japan, LtCol (later Gen/Medal of Honor) James H. Doolittle's force of 16 North American B-25 "Mitchell" twin-engine Army bombers of the 17th Bomb Group took off from Captain (later Admiral) Marc A. Mitscher's carrier USS HORNET (CV-8) and struck targets in Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Nagoya and Kobe. Four days later, at 1525, on 21 April, the brand-new flying boat tender AKITSUSHIMA was running official builder trials off Wada-misaki, Kobe when a large airplane approached the vessel. The aircraft was identified as an enemy B-25 bomber! Immediately, AKITSUSHIMA opened fire with her brand-new AA-machine guns. Nearby, at the same time, Settsu Shosen´s passenger ship TENNYO MARU (495grt) was running her regular passenger service between Kobe and Awaji Island ports. At 1528, TENNYO MARU sent an emergency call that she was under machine gun fire thought to come from a large aircraft seen flying in the vicinity. Finally, it became clear that AKITSUSHIMA had mistaken a Japanese transport plane for a B-25 bomber and that shell splinters from her AA-fire had rained down on nearby TENNYO MARU! The Doolittle Raid had, in deed, left a deep impact on Japanese psychology!

Source:
http://www.combinedfleet.com/Strange.htm

[Brian]

Thanks for the latest.

Most interesting!

Cheers
Brian

[Laurent Rizzotti]

14 April 1944: a Soviet Lend-Lease C-47 shot down by Soviet AA fire
USAAF s/n 42-92339; diverted 05jan44; rgd 10apr44; opb 1 atd GVF; w/o 14apr44 while flying at a height of 180 metres south-east of Rechitsa (Gomel district of Belarus) when came close to the bridge over the river Dnepr which was protected by a Soviet anti-aircraft artillery battery, was hit and damaged by the anti-aircraft fire, made a forced landing near Uza railway station, caught fire and burnt out, 2 of the crew injured while the others escaped unhurt
Source: http://www.oldwings.nl/st/foreigners.pdf

[Laurent Rizzotti]

On 10 August 1944, at the place named "Le Sablon", commune of Mezieres-sous-Ballon, a column of the 2nd French Armored Division that was advancing to cut the axis Falaise-Argentan-Alencon was fired on by German 88 PAK guns and/or Jadgpanthers. The 12eme RCA lost to German fire three Sherman destroyed, 7 killed, several wounded and 2 POWs. Air support was asked and US Thunderbolts provided it.

But one of the US fighters dropped his two bombs on a French tank, the Shermann "Labourd" who was stopped on the road and had not displayed the orange identification panel. The tank was hit and took fire: three crew (Marechal des Logis Alexis Labord, Chasseur 1ere classe Roland Courty, Chasseur 1ere classe André Bournbonville) were killed with two other men: Chasseur René Viraize who was standing near the bombed tank and chasseur Casimir Bordes who was driving an half-track behind the tank.

Source:
http://12rcahistorique.canalblog.com/

[Laurent Rizzotti]

On 10 October 1944 Allied airplanes bombed Uzice, in Yugoslavia, killing and wounding 10 civilians and partisan of the Uzice Detachment, and destroying several houses.
Source: http://www.znaci.net/00001/53_46.pdf

It seems to me that then Uzice was in partisan hands, but should be confirmed.

[Laurent Rizzotti]

A list of air to ground friendly fire cases:
http://www.dupuyinstitute.org/ubb/Forum5/HTML/000026.html

[Laurent Rizzotti]

12 August 1942:
19 LG1 Ju88s escorted by 16 1/JG77 Bf109s attacked in the morning the Pedestral convoy. German records list six as being shot down and a further two lost over Sardinia from ‘friendly fire’. The latter were shot down by Italian fighters mistaking them for marauding Beaufighters out of Malta.
http://www.armouredcarriers.com/operation-pedestal-august-10-12-1942/

20 July 1943, B-25 vs US PT boats in Solomon (and a possible USN fighter)
https://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/b-25/41-13153.html

[Brian]

Wow! Laurent what great information!

I must get stuck in to using all this such important material you keep unearthing, unless you beat me to it! Perhaps we should collaborate!

Cheers
Brian

[Bruce Dennis]

"1942 March 19:
A British Court of Enquiry found that Liberator Aircraft number AM 918 in the service of British Overseas Airways, carrying Lieutenant Colonel Townsend Griffiss and British military and civilian passengers, was shot down about 5 miles southwest of the Eddystone Lighthouse, near Plymouth, England, on Feb. 15, 1942 at about 8:50 A.M. British Standard Time. Plane was on non-stop flight from Cairo to England. Plane crashed into channel. Crew and all passengers were lost. No bodies have been recovered. Plane was shot down by 2 Polish pilots of the Polish Air Force who failed to identify it as friendly aircraft. Court also found that contributory cause was lack of exercise of proper and effective control of pilots by ground organization. Evidence is being taken with the view of bringing the 2 pilots before court martial. It is requested that no publicity be given to findings of Court of Enquiry. Formal certificate of death will be forwarded as soon as issued by British Casualty Section. Request this information be furnished also Chief of Army Air Forces."

Source: Document psfa0043, letter Cheney to Marshall in George C. Marshall papers in the FDR Library.