Re: Fight in the Aegean sea
 

Found also something about the 17 June 1944 on 454 Sqn ORB

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454 Sqn RAAF ORB

Form 541:
Baltimore FW375
Crew (Wt Off Dunne D, Flg Off Mumme E, Flt Sgt Pennicott D, Flt Sgt O'Brien L)
Recce of Central Agean
Start: 0600
Return: 1113
Details: At 0805C in position 3620N 2030E sighter an enemy convoy consisting of 1 Seerauber type vessel, and 4 caiques of 150-200 tons on a co 250 degrees at 4 knots. Two Arado 196 turned in to attack but were outdistanced by the Baltimore, not approaching nearer than one thousand yards. The Seerauber opened fire with possible 40mm flak but the shots passed behind the aircraft. This convoy was subsequently attacked by Beaufighters of 227 Sqn and 16 Sqn SAAF. On the way home the Baltimore sighter an S/M on the surface which was seen to submerge identifying itself with yellow smoke candles.

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On 17 June 1944, 16 Sqn SAAF lost the Beaufighter NE551 coded 'Z' off Cape Malea, hit by flak and ditched 17/6/44 - Crew (Captain Keith Gordon Muir and Lt J H Strydom) killed.

Sources:
http://www.rafcommands.com/cgi-bin/d...D6&archive=yes
http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_...sualty=1810913
http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_...sualty=1282698

Re: Fight in the Aegean sea
 

And found also something about the 2 July 1944 on 454 Sqn ORB
__________________________________________________ _
454 Sqn RAAF ORB

Form 540:
F/O Watkin carried out a recce of South Greece, sighting 5 caiques at Potamos-Anti-Kythera, and 4 barges at Kalamata. Upon these sightings Wg Cdr Moore led a formation of Flt Lt Strickland, Flg Off Ilott (RAF) and five crews of 15 SAAF to bomb Kalamata harbour. The bombs overshot the inner harbour and burst on the southern end of the pier damaging buildings, fire were seen burning in the target area from 10 to 20 miles away.

Form 541:
Baltimore FW375
Crew (Flg Off Watkin J, Flt Sgt Morisson J, Flg Off Ford J, Flg Off Paul A)
Recce of South Morea
Start: 0650
Return: 1150
Details: Main sighting of this recce was of a Siebel ferry made at Navarino at 0940 hrs. In all 3 sightings reports were sent by W/T and there were no incidents. Weather was fine nil vis 15 miles.

Baltimore FW366 (Wg Cdr Moore M, Flg Off Surtees D (RAF), Flt Lt Howard J, Flg Off Hissey G)
Baltimore FW345 (Flt Lt Strickland P, Flt Lt McCathie R, Flg Off Dibb W, Plt Off Magee R)
Baltimore FW405 (Flg Off Ilott K (RAF), Flg Off Jarvis M (RAF), Sgt Pickavance R, Flt Sgt Johnson P (RAF))
Start: 1458
Return: 1917
Details: three Balts in company with 5 of 15 Sqn SAAF attacked shipping at Kalamata. Each a/c carried and dropped 1 x 500 GP bomb and 2 x 250-lb GP. One building was hit in the N.E. corner of the harbour and 3 bombs fell amongst concentration of small shipping at the quayside. As a/c were leaving and 15 miles away a large fire was seen to be burning. Although flak was encountered, no a/c was hit, and all landed safely back at base.

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Re: Fight in the Aegean sea
 

As for the 16 October 1944, the three Baltimore bombing Maleme airfield were from 459 Sqn RAAF (also from the ORB).

The various Jabo attacks were probably by Fleet Air Arm aircraft flying from Royal Navy CVE. But I have no more details. And Spitfires were also active in the area (the Spitfire IX MA526 force-landed this day on Crete island after engine cut, unit known).

By the way I will be interested in the remaining of October 1944 of this file. http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: Fight in the Aegean sea
 

Hi Luarent.
The post on 17 June 16 RAAF should read 16 SAAF as the names are S African.
Stefaan

Re: Fight in the Aegean sea
 

Exact, it was a typo. Post edited and corrected

Re: Fight in the Aegean sea
 

thanks Laurent,

it is always interesting to hear the facts from both sides of the involved parties.

One thing is for sure, the allied air force didn`t let the German sailors in the Aegean to catch their breath for one single day.

Many brave men on both sides lost their young lives in this beautiful sea.

take a look on the following pic