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- - Vickers Warwick BV386 (http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=34332)

Re: Vickers Warwick BV386

Hello,

It wasn't only No.280 Sqn that was involved in scraps with Me 410s on the 8th October, 1944. No.279 Sqn was also in action.

On 8th October (1944), two Hudsons, F/279, a Mk.III flown by F/Lt Pederson, and D/279, a Mk.VI captained by F/O Carmichael, were carrying out an ASR search when they came under attack from an enemy aircraft identified as either an Me 210 or 410. The fighter was first sighted at a range of 800 yards as it swept round in a wide circle to come in on D/279's starboard beam opening fire at 400 yards and closing to 150 yards before breaking off. While Pederson observed the attack and his gunner fired 50 to 60 rounds at extreme range at the fighter, Carmichael turned steeply to starboard into the enemy fighter with both turret and side gunners returning fire. Several hits were observed on the fighter and D/279 was also damaged in the exchange of fire. While the fighter turned to make another attack on D/279 from low on the port quarter Pederson made his escape into a thin layer of cloud. The fighter was determined, however, and was next sighted attacking from a range of 800 yards dead ahead. Carmichael quickly dived to port and into thicker cloud, where he lost the fighter. It was a lucky escape.

See:
Dinghy Drop:279 Squadron at War 1941-1946.
Docherty,Tom
Barnsley:Pen & Sword,2007.
p.133.

Col.

Re: Vickers Warwick BV386

Hello,

The only reference I can find when I've scanned through CCR pages was:

"Looks like we’ve stirred up a hornet’s nest! From now on these Air-Sea Rescue aircrews should conserve ammunition".

Kind Regards

Andy Bird

Re: Vickers Warwick BV386

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy bird (Post 168371)

Does it mean that before these losses, the ASR sorties were flown without ammunition ? In the 279 Sqn case on 8 October 1944 a Hudson gunner fired 50-60 rounds, so at least this aircraft was armed.

Re: Vickers Warwick BV386

Laurent

The only thing I can assume is that they are referring to the tendency of ASR crews using 100's of 0.303 rounds to sink unmanned dinghies/life rafts/boats etc., in the coastal waters and be a bit more conservative with their ammo.

(I realise the craft had to be sunk so that no other allied a/c wasted time seeing it it was manned or not.)

Kind Regards

Andy