Beaufighter/Blenheim Losses off Malta 12 Feb 42

[Chris Goss]

Apart from T4889/OADU, were any other twin-engined ac lost to German fighters off Malta that day? According to the AHB, there are no other Cas Cards that would match

[BruceMk11]

Beaufighter T4879; intercepted between Pantelleria and Malta; claimed by Lt Herbert Schramm, III/JG 53 (39th victory). Perhaps your T4889?

Beaufighter T4915; enroute to Egypt from Malta; claimed by Lt Alfred Wehmeyer, III/ZG 26 (10th victory)

Both claimed as Blenheims, there were no survivors.

See 'Malta: The Spitfire Year 1942' pp 79, 80.

[Chris Goss]

Thanks Bruce T4889 (I don't have it as T4879?) was seen being chased by 2 x Bf 109s so that would match. What unit was T4915?

[BruceMk11]

T4915 is said to have been one of eight Beaufighters that arrived and refuelled at Malta 'during the hours of darkness'. The unit is not identified.

[niallc]

The ORB for AHQ Malta suggests a different dating for these losses: It records the departure of 8 Beaufighters to 108 MU (2 missing) on the 11th (not 12th) February and the arrival of 3 Beaufighters from Gibraltar (1 missing) on the 12th.

I have the 2 lost on the 11th as T4879 and T4915 (Both technically OADU aircraft but with 248 and 236 Squadron crews respectively).

The one lost on the 12th was T4889 (Sgt Brian Smith (RAAF), Sgt Harry Sprason and Wg Cdr John Maffett (passenger) all missing). This was last seen off Filfla being pursued by two Messerschmitts (type unspecified.)

A Blenheim of 21 Sqn was also lost on the 11th, but I see no other Blenheim, Beaufighter or Beaufort losses for the 12th.

Doesn't help much I know . .

Niall

[Chris Goss]

Niall
Thanks it does confirm for me that only one was lost on 12 Feb 42 which probably means that T4889 fell victim to Schramm - committing 2 Bf 110s over Malta would have been unlikely

[Nick Hector]

Chris et al,

For Schramm's claim, have you considered the possibility of the Maryland I AR733 of 69 sqn. P/O Channon safe but Sgt. Moore KIA, forcelanded?

Source: http://wp.scn.ru/en/ww2/b/552/9/0

(do a CTRL+F search for the serial number AR733 when the web-page opens)

Nick

PS - Your help in ruling this out or confirming it as a genuine match for Schramm's claim would be much appreciated, gentlemen.

[Chris Goss]

Like to know where they got 'probably 109'? The clincher would be the time this aircraft was damaged-we have Schramm's time for this kill. I doubt if Schramm saw it crash land so would he have claimed it? If late in the afternoon, this could be Wehmeyer's claim. Bottom line is T4889 was seen being chased by 2 x 109s after which it was never seen again

[Stig Jarlevik]

Interesting topic

With regard to Maryland AR733 Brian Cull has written a book about the Malta Marylands and lists this one as Schramm's victory on the 12th.
However he lists AR733 as lost on the 12th on pages 118-119 and 129, but on the 13th on page 162 and 165, so it is a bit confusing. Shores on the other hand states it was lost on the 13th. Since the aircraft's record card obviously also says the 13th (see Halley and Air Britain's RAF serials books) I tend to go for that date. Anyone who knows 100%?

The Beaufighter losses are intriguing. Three lost in 'two' days. Can't have been good for morale. Shores' list two of them on the 12th (T4879 and T4915), while their record cards say 11th (Halley)

Schramm made his claim at 18.23H on the 12th (Prien) which does not fit the description by Shores that III./JG 53 was on a morning sweep....
Is it known when the loss of T4889 occured? Halley lists it as lost between Portreath and Gibraltar which makes it nowhere near Malta at all....
The problem of course here is that T4879 and T4889 are rather look-a-like.

To make any further progress we need times!

Niall
Since you have checked the Malta HQ ORB does it mention times anywhere?
For instance the two Beaufighter lost on the 11th or 12th are listed by Shores to have arrived, refuelled and departed in darkness, Arrived on the 11th and departed on the 12th perhaps? T4915 is listed as shot down by a Bf 110 of III./ZG 26. Anyone who knows when that claim was made?

Cheers
Stig

[Chris Goss]

T4889 occurred on 12 Feb according to letters written to Wg Cdr Maffett 's widow & Cas cards. It was attacked by 2x 109s after take off from Malta.

[udf_00]

... And to NAA :
SMITH Brian Barkley - (Sergeant); Service Number - 400296; File type - Casualty - Repatriation; Aircraft - Beaufighter T4889; Place - near Malta; Date - 12 February 1942
The file is digitised.

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thanks Guys

But does anyone have the time of these losses?

Cheers
Stig

[Chris Goss]

Al the $1m question! No times for the one I am interested in

[TigerTimon]

sean maffett on Twitter:

"80 years ago today, my Dad, Wg Cdr John Maffett, was Missing in Action - shot down near Malta and never found. For the rest of my Mum’s life, she thought he'd walk through the door. I never knew him, but I miss him to this day. Dance the sky on laughter-silvered wings, Dad, Mum."

https://twitter.com/airsound01/status/1492468036971941893https://twitter.com/airsound01/status/1492468036971941893/photo/1 (https://twitter.com/airsound01/status/1492468036971941893)

[Chris Goss]

Sean is the reason why I originally asked this