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-   -   Friendly fire WWII (http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=2670)

jetaca 16th November 2016 08:08

Re: Friendly fire WWII
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Troy White (Post 14202)
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 26th January 2017 16:53

Re: Friendly fire WWII
 
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 27th January 2017 15:12

Re: Friendly fire WWII
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by jetaca (Post 225842)
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 27th January 2017 15:52

Re: Friendly fire WWII
 
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 17th February 2017 17:41

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

Bruce Dennis 9th March 2017 14:25

Re: Friendly fire WWII
 
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 13th March 2017 23:23

Re: Friendly fire WWII
 
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/His...%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 13th July 2017 15:34

Re: Friendly fire WWII
 
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 13th July 2017 15:55

Re: Friendly fire WWII
 
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 13th July 2017 18:21

Re: Friendly fire WWII
 
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 13th July 2017 18:23

Re: Friendly fire WWII
 
Many thanks, Laurent

Just the job!

Cheers
Brian

Juha 14th July 2017 13:26

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

Cheers
Juha

Observer1940 21st August 2017 01:51

Re: Friendly fire WWII
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Laurent Rizzotti (Post 236331)
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.go...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.go...hb=tna&_st=adv

Mark

Laurent Rizzotti 14th September 2017 13:37

Re: Friendly fire WWII
 
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 9th October 2017 18:00

Re: Friendly fire WWII
 
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 1st December 2017 16:19

Re: Friendly fire WWII
 
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/2016/08/2...25-april-1941/

Brian 1st December 2017 16:50

Re: Friendly fire WWII
 
Thanks guys

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

Cheers
Brian

Laurent Rizzotti 6th January 2018 11:25

Re: Friendly fire WWII
 
From the unofficial history of 445th Bomb Group (downloable at http://digicom.bpl.lib.me.us/cgi/vie...ext=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/c...elen-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 6th January 2018 14:25

Re: Friendly fire WWII
 
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 6th January 2018 19:34

Re: Friendly fire WWII
 
Hi Laurent

Most interesting!

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

Cheers
Brian

AndreasB 7th January 2018 07:49

Re: Friendly fire WWII
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Laurent Rizzotti (Post 243526)
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/2016/08/2...25-april-1941/

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

All the best

Andreas

Laurent Rizzotti 9th January 2018 00:00

Re: Friendly fire WWII
 
“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 9th January 2018 12:29

Re: Friendly fire WWII
 
Thanks for the latest.

Most interesting!

Cheers
Brian

Laurent Rizzotti 11th January 2018 23:17

Re: Friendly fire WWII
 
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 15th January 2018 10:57

Re: Friendly fire WWII
 
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 17th January 2018 12:34

Re: Friendly fire WWII
 
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 17th January 2018 17:23

Re: Friendly fire WWII
 
A list of air to ground friendly fire cases:
http://www.dupuyinstitute.org/ubb/Fo...ML/000026.html

Laurent Rizzotti 17th January 2018 21:52

Re: Friendly fire WWII
 
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/oper...st-10-12-1942/

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

Brian 17th January 2018 22:59

Re: Friendly fire WWII
 
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 23rd January 2018 14:51

Re: Friendly fire WWII
 
"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.

Laurent Rizzotti 24th January 2018 00:34

Re: Friendly fire WWII
 
Three cases of Finnish aircraft hitting their own troops:
https://forum.axishistory.com//viewtopic.php?t=170269

As usual, I was searching something else...

Laurent Rizzotti 24th January 2018 01:00

Re: Friendly fire WWII
 
Don't remember if this was already said here:
“ On 20 August 1944 in Normandy First Canadian Army produced a report listing 52 separate instances of attacks by fighter bombers — Spitfires, Typhoons, Mustangs, and USAAF Lightnings — against its forward troops that occurred between 16 and 18 August and which had killed 72 and wounded 191 officers and men and destroyed or damaged twelve vehicles. Some of these attacks had been made despite yellow smoke being released, and in one case despite an Air Observation Post (AOP) artillery spotter plane attempting to ward off the offending Typhoons. Not surpringly, First Canadian Army called for all possible steps to be taken to reduce such occurences, warning that otherwise the provision of air support would soon become a deterrent to ground operations rather than the stimulant of which it was potentially capable of being.”
First Canadian Army Report, Attacks by Allied A/C on Own Tps -18 and 19 Aug. 1944 (20 August 1944) PRO WO 205/232.

72 killed in three days to friendly air attack seems huge to me (even if that is less than 2 per attack). I have a French book about Operation Paddle (the offensive of 1st Canadian Army from 16 August 1944) and I remember RAF attacks on the troops were evocated, but certainly not so high casualties.

Laurent Rizzotti 24th January 2018 18:31

Re: Friendly fire WWII
 
Three attacks by German aircraft on Vichy merchant ships on 25 and 28 February and 1 March 1941:
http://warsailors.com/forum/read.php...2588#msg-62588

According to one of the entries, the German armistice commission admitted responsability of the first attack (that sank a cargo ship). The French then asked for two ships to be given to them in compensation, but the Germans answered they will have none while French ships won't scuttle when intercepted by British ships.

Laurent Rizzotti 1st February 2018 11:53

Re: Friendly fire WWII
 
Don't remember if this one is already listed.

On 7 June 1944:
"The 440th TCG, with 62 aircraft, had four men killed and two wounded when they lost two planes to flak and from bomb loss when a P-47 flying escort over the Channel inadvertently dropped its bomb cluster on a C-47 flying below it."
https://amcmuseum.org/history/troop-...d-day-flights/

Laurent Rizzotti 5th February 2018 12:24

Re: Friendly fire WWII
 
From Martin Middlebrook book "The Schweinfurt-Regensburg mission", page 130, on 17 August 1943 the ball gunner of the B-17 of 385th BG of the Regensburg force flown by John Pettinger was killed in his turret by a 50-in bullet fired by another bomber of the group. No name is given, but from the casualty list in the end of the book he was probably S/Sgt Gleen C. Knecht.

Laurent Rizzotti 5th February 2018 12:53

Re: Friendly fire WWII
 
The death of Lt Col Stopka had been reported in this thread, but maybe this gives extra details, including the date, 14 January 1945
https://www.fieldsofhonor-database.c...n-p-lux-e-9-38

Laurent Rizzotti 6th February 2018 11:59

Re: Friendly fire WWII
 
From the War Diary of German Naval Staff Operations Division, December 1941:
(extract from the entries on the 15th):
"The German consulate at Santander reports that on 12 Dec. British planes unsuccessfully attacked the Spanish coastal steamer Trevilla and one French coast steamer about 1/2 mile off the coast of Cape Mayor."

Brian 6th February 2018 19:42

Re: Friendly fire WWII
 
Hi Laurent

I can't keep up with all your 'finds'. But keep 'em coming!

Many thanks
Brian

Laurent Rizzotti 7th February 2018 13:12

Re: Friendly fire WWII
 
As I said before, I am not even searching them, but each time I saw a friendly fire event I copy it there.

Find of the day, the Spitfire IX PL137 of 341 (French) Sqn RAF shot down on 9 July 1944 by a P-47 "of 353rd FG coming to his help in an air battle" according to link below:
http://francecrashes39-45.net/page_fiche_av.php?id=5829

Brian 7th February 2018 19:40

Re: Friendly fire WWII
 
Hi Laurent

Thanks all the same.

Brian


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