Blenheim U-MK lost at Brest
 

I have this picture in my collection. It says at the back it landed in Brest, possibly in 1942.
Does anybody have anymore information about the plane, crew and the circumstances of the emergency landing?

Thanks in advance,
Rudi.

Re: Blenheim U-MK lost at Brest
 

It is a 500 sqn ac which had Blenheim IVs from Apr to Nov 41 only. I am sure a Coastal Command expert will be able to figure this out

Re: Blenheim U-MK lost at Brest
 

Hi Gents,

Not 1942, by this time the Squadron had converted to Hudson but I have seen this scene before.

This is Z6163 which on 28/09/41 was listed as missing over Northern France having taken off from Bircham Newton.

Although listed as Cat.E in Form 78 the aircraft fails to appear in the squadron ORB and so far I have failed to name the crew.

Regards
Ross

Re: Blenheim U-MK lost at Brest
 

That's great, Chris & Ross. Thanks a lot for your help. It's very much appreciated.

Regards,
Rudi.

Re: Blenheim U-MK lost at Brest
 

Ross: I will ask the AHB when I get back to work

Re: Blenheim U-MK lost at Brest
 

Cheers Chris.

R
Ross

Re: Blenheim U-MK lost at Brest
 

Hi Ross,
I got the following info, not sure from where.

'The pilot of Z6163 was Plt Off NZ402214 Francis Reece, PoW , a/c on op to St Nazaire.'

I thought the a/c took off from Harrowbeer Airfield not Bircham Newton.
If correct this could this explain why it is not in the Squadron ORB as the Sq had a detachment at Harrowbeer from 15 sep to 6 Oct 41.
Cheers
Jerry

Re: Blenheim U-MK lost at Brest
 

Thanks for that information, Jerry. Very much appreciated.

Here is the complete picture if anybody is interested. It doesn't show more details I'm afraid.

At the back "Abgeschossene Engl. Bomber" is written in modern german, not in Sutterlin, meaning "downed englisch bomber".
At a later stage "near Brest" was added.

Regards,
Rudi.

Re: Blenheim U-MK lost at Brest
 

Cheers Jerry,

Certainly possible as it would explain why no mention in the Group ORB thst I looked at as well.

Regards
Ross

Re: Blenheim U-MK lost at Brest
 

Hi All,
Forgot to mention.
A historic photo,( if it can be confirmed the a/c did take off from harrowbeer), as this would be the first operational loss from the airfield.
And thanks for posting the full scan, nice photo.
cheers
Jerry

Re: Blenheim U-MK lost at Brest
 

Hi,

There exist at least two other pictures of this machine. They were made more closely when the sea retreated and when Z6163 had wheels down.

Regards,
Michal

Re: Blenheim U-MK lost at Brest
 

Hi Michael,
Do you remember where you've seen these pics, as I would very much like to have a copy of them.

According to "Blenheim IV - Profile publication 218", the Z6163 was manufactered by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd, Chadderton, Lancs. The contract dated 06-06-1940.
A.V.Roe manufactered a total of 755 Blenheims IV's during WW2.

Regards,
Rudi.

Re: Blenheim U-MK lost at Brest
 

Hi Rudi,

What is your e-mail address ?

Regards,
Michal

Re: Blenheim U-MK lost at Brest
 

Rudi, PM sent.

Michal

Re: Blenheim U-MK lost at Brest
 

Thank you Michal, I got your message.

It seems that some while ago on ebay, 2 more pictures of this emergency landing were sold.

On these pictures, the plane is being examened by germans, and it's standing on it's langing gear with the tide gone out. On my picture it seems that the landing gear collapsed.

There also seems to be severe damage to the right wing, just next to the engine. The propellors of both engines are twisted which suggests that the aircraft landed when the tide was in, as in my picture.

Re: Blenheim U-MK lost at Brest
 

Cas cards are confusing as the date of the loss is said to be 29 Sep 41 whilst the F78 says 28 Sep! Serial matches and the fact that it was on 500 Sqn from Mar (I think) 41. Crew were all POW:
Plt Off Francis Reece (NZ)-P
Sgt James D Appleyard (Can)-O
Sgt William H Smyth (Brit)-WOp

Re: Blenheim U-MK lost at Brest
 

From RAF Commands POW List

Camp POW No Surname Initials Serial Air Force
L3 25 Reece F 402214 RNZAF
L6 24833 Appleyard J D R/68131 RCAF
357 1163 Smyth W H 982670 RAF

Re: Blenheim U-MK lost at Brest
 

Thank you very much Chris & Paul for this information.

It's a bit strange that the crew from a plane is split up over different POW camps, or was this common pratice during WW2 ?

Re: Blenheim U-MK lost at Brest
 

Hello Rudi,

Quite normal; officers were sent to different camps than other ranks were sent to.

Regards,

Bart