Loss of multi-engined a/c to friendly fire at Gialo, 30 Nov. 41?

[AndreasB]

Hi all

I have a report from an Italian POW that a large slow aircraft (maybe a DH Express, a DC.3, or a Bristol Bombay?) was engaged by British LAA while approaching the Gialo airfield because it was mistaken for an German bomber, and destroyed, with five members of the crew/passengers killed and buried at Gialo. I have the war diary for 6 LAA Bty, which was the only AA unit at the airfield, and there is no mention of this.

Can anyone confirm if a plane of this type was lost during the last days of November 41 in North Africa, with either unknown location, or indeed at Gialo?

Many thanks!

Andreas

[dp_burke]

http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/war-air/23658-raf-australians-killed-ww2-who-what-i-have-found-so-3.html

Not quite a large slow aircraft but:

30 November 1941

Western Desert Communications Flight
Blenheim IV Z7589

W/C. A. McDonald Bowman +
F/S. J. McLaren (Wop/Ag) +
G/C. C. Dearlove +
Capt F. Benn (Army passenger) +

Shot down by friendly AA fire and crashed near Gialo Oasis, Sudan.

The Bristol Blenheim - Warner

[AndreasB]

Brilliant, many thanks.

Goes to show that war diaries are not such reliable sources...

All the best

Andreas

[AndreasB]

james80 - if you are reading this, please contact me through the comment function on my blog: http://rommelsriposte.com Many thanks! All the best Andreas