BV 138 + Rocket projectiles???
 

Hi all,

I have read following info in ORB of one Baltimore Squadron in North Africa:

6.9.44 ...was attacked by BV 138 which fired 8 rocket type projectiles....

Have anybody heard that BV 138 use also some kind of rockets? I am unable to find any information about that.

TIA

Pavel

Re: BV 138 + Rocket projectiles???
 

It's hard to imagine that a pilot could manoeuvre a plane as big as a Bv 138 quickly enough the bring rockets to bear on another aircraft.

Also, are you sure you have the right date? The Luftwaffe was long gone from North Africa in September 1944.

Re: BV 138 + Rocket projectiles???
 

could it be that those were recognition flares, fired with the intent of distracting the attacking Baltimore?

also, the date seems to be a little questionworthy, as Nick has pointed out already...

Re: BV 138 + Rocket projectiles???
 

Yes, i would go with the Flare story too, i can't find any record of rockets being used on the BV 138.

Staying on the subject of Flares, One Blenheim RAF airgunner, i think during the Battle of Britain or just before claimed two BF109's after shooting a flare at them having used up all his ammunition.
The 109's reared up on seeing the flare traveling towards them and crashed into each other mid English Channel.

I can understand in a state of mad desperation flares being fired in defence, but not in attack as they would acheive nothing!

Re: BV 138 + Rocket projectiles???
 

Hi chaps,

many thanks for your comments. Some additional info:

1) I am sure - the date is 6.9.1944
2) maybe I wrote not exact position - Baltimore was from North Africa but the accident happens over Greece Islands
3) from the report I understand that BV 138 fire 8 rocket at the time...

So my question is - as I suppose BV 138 is so typical it can not be mistaken - can BV 138 carry some kind of special cannon of heavy calibre and its shells can be mistaken for rockets?

Many thanks for any ideas.

Pavel

Re: BV 138 + Rocket projectiles???
 

Dear Pavel,

I find it hard to believe that any BV 138 was used operationally in the Med area as late as 6.9.1944, or at any time before that date for that matter. The only two units equipped with BV 138 in southern/eastern Europe in the summer of 1944 were 1.(F)/125 and 3.(F)/125 located in Constanza-Mamaia on the Black Sea coast of Rumania.
Due to the situation in the area it was decided to withdraw these units to northern Europe in August 1944. On 25.8.1944 6 BV 138 had already reached List on Sylt, the remaining aircraft were on their way.
That the BV 138 was equipped with rockets of any kind is even harder to believe. Having gone through extensive records at the BA/MA in Freiburg, I have never seen any mention of such installations on this aircraft.
The only other seaplanes used by the Luftwaffe in southern Europe, were the Ar 196 equipped Staffeln of S.A.Gr. 126 in Greece, except for the Seenotdienst which aircraft most certainly did not use rockets.
Could you give the unit number of the Baltimore Squadron in question.

Re: BV 138 + Rocket projectiles???
 

Hi,

many thanks for your valuable reply. It seems to me strange since begining so it was the reason why I have started this forum.

I am not sure but I believe it was 459 RAAF Sq or maybe 454 RAAF Sq, at the time operating - as I have recetly found - not from North Africa but already from Berka, Palestine.

Pavel

Re: BV 138 + Rocket projectiles???
 

There were Ju 52 floatplanes of Lufttransportstaffel (See) operating out of Phaleron early in 1944 but I don't know how long into the year they stayed.

Re: BV 138 + Rocket projectiles???
 

Dear Nick,
You are absolutely right. The Seetransportfliegerstaffel 1 was still operating with 12 Ju 52 floatplanes under Lw.Kdo. Südost in September 1944. However, if the Baltimore crew mistook a Ju 52 floatplane for a BV 138, I do not put my money on the Allied aircraft reconition training.

Re: BV 138 + Rocket projectiles???
 

Well, I suppose they both had three engines!

Re: BV 138 + Rocket projectiles???
 

Hello!

Just a wild ass guess:

Could the "Bv 138" have been a Catalina with rockets or rocket-propelled bombs/depth charges?

Kari

Re: BV 138 + Rocket projectiles???
 

Well chaps, interesting idea with 3 engines but when I checked the bad writing in ORB once more I was able to find out that the plane is believed to escort 3 German ship. It is possible for Ju 52 to do job like this?

Kari: I do not suppose that the Catalina would attack Baltimore:-)

Re: BV 138 + Rocket projectiles???
 

Pavle,

The 459 Sqn with Baltimores operated from Berka at that time. It was located in Lybia.

Tally Ho,
Michal

Re: BV 138 + Rocket projectiles???
 

Didn't the Germans use both Bv138s and Do24s in the Mediterranean? Both aircraft could be armed with a 20mm cannon turret in the nose. Return fire from such a weapon with perhaps the opservation of a long muzzle blast, could have given the impression of rockets being launched. From certain angles both look similar with a high mounted wing and the appearance of three-motors.

Re: BV 138 + Rocket projectiles???
 

Oooops, thanks Michal, it seems to me I have used bad source although it was official one and make no verification:-(

Geoff - I was thïnking about the exact think last night and wanted to ask today here - thanks for reading my thoughts:-)

Pavel

Re: BV 138 + Rocket projectiles???
 

Hello!

Like I wrote it was a wild ass guess. Catalina is the only flying boat which I know was equipped with something nearing rockets. Of course that does not mean there were no others.

VP-63 operated such animals from Port Lyautey (Kenitra), Morocco. See text and photos (!) here:

http://www.history.navy.mil/avh-vol2/chap4-4.pdf
(VP-63 history at pages 5-10)

Kenitra seems to be more than 2000 kms from Berka (Al-Birkah?) but at least it is in the same continent...


Regards,
Kari