Fight in the Aegean sea
 

Fight in the Aegean sea, Bristol Beaufighter against Motorsegler "Seeräuber"

from the wardiary of "31. Bordflakabteilung Piräus"

Re: Fight in the Aegean sea
 

It would be interesting to find out if two Beaufighters were actually lost at this location on 16 April 1944. The two Beaufighters that returned to base must have filed a report on the details. This would be an excellent opportunity to compare a detailed German claim report with its direct counterpart written by the RAF.

Re: Fight in the Aegean sea
 

No trace of this battle in the book "The Armed Rovers" describing actions by the Beaufighters of 227, 252, 272 and 603 Sqn RAF.

This book describes many attacks, but probably not all, but AFAIK includes all losses.

Another possibility would be that another two-engined aircraft type was attacking the ship rather than Beaufighter.

Re: Fight in the Aegean sea
 

Hello Laurent,

I have a lot of reports of such confrontations between british planes and greek caiques in german service, the most of the attacking bombers in the Aegean were Beaufighters (according the eywitness).

here some similar incidends, maybe you can find something about them.

M.S. meens "Motorsegler" (caique)

M.S. „Gisela“ Flak-Fü. Btsmt. Hiller, 15.05.44 auf der Fahrt von Kos nach Symi von vier Beaufightern angegriffen und durch Raketten- und Bordwaffenbeschuss versenkt, Besatzung auf Symi (vw.) gerettet,
M.S. „Aspassia“ Flak-Fü. Mtr. Ogfr. Kretzmann, 17.06.44 Kamilli-Bucht / Monemwassia von vier Blenheim I und fünf Beaufightern angegriffen, zwei deutsche Arados 196 abgeschossen, GK 91 u. M.S. „Maria Vol. 30“ beschädigt mit Flak-Fü. Mtr.Ob.Gfr. Kunert, „Irini Sy 620“ vers., M.S. „Aspassia Pi 1098“ beschädigt; eine Blenheim von „Aspassia“ abgeschossen,
M.S. „Möwe Pi 15“ Flak-Fü. und Schütze Oblt. Wagner, 02.07.44 in der Bucht von Antikythira von fünf Beaufightern angegriffen, zwei Flgz. vom Geleit folgender Motorsegler abgeschossen:
(M.S. Drossel Pi. 09, M.S. Fink Pi 011, M.S. San Michele Sy 68, M.S. Katerina My 206),
M.S. „Drossel Pi 09“ Flak-Fü. Mtr. Ogfr. Lopens, 02.07.44 in der Bucht von Antikythira von fünf Beaufightern angegriffen. Am Abschuss eines Flgz. beteiligt,
M.S. „Fink Pi 011“ Flak-Fü. Mtr.Ob.Gfr. Spies, 02.07.44 in der Bucht von Antikythira von fünf Beaufightern angegriffen. Am Abschuss eines Flgz. beteiligt,
M.S. „Michele Sy 68“ Flak-Fü. Mtr. Ogfr. Kirsch, 02.07.44 in der Bucht von Antikythira von fünf Beaufightern angegriffen. Am Abschuss eines Flgz. beteiligt,
M.S. „Nordmark“ Flak-Fü. Btsm. Jordann, (und GK 92) 16.09.44 im Hafen von Milos von vier Beaufightern angegriffen, eine Maschine abgeschossen,

Re: Fight in the Aegean sea
 

15 May: nothing in the book

17 June: nothing too, but this action (mix of Beaufighter and "Blenheim" vs German ships and Ar 196) is similar to the big convoy battle N of Creete on 2 June. ANother action on 19 June saw Beaufighters shot down an Ar 196 and suffer one loss SW of Kalymnos Island.

2 July: in the evening 8 Beaufighter of 252 Sqn sank with rockets the merchant ship Agatha (1259 tons) NW of Rhodes, another merchant, the Anita, escaped. No RAF loss

16 September: nothing in the book, Beaufighter losses in September were on the 13 (603 Sqn, 2 EVD) and 23 (252 Sqn, 2 KIA) only.

In May-July 1944, the following two-engined aircraft were used over the Egean, according to the book:
Beaufighter (227, 252, 603 RAF Sqn, 16 SAAF Sqn)
Marauder (24 SAAF Sqn)
Baltimore (15 SAAF Sqn, 454 RAAF Sqn, 459 RAAF Sqn)
Venture (unit?)
Wellington (unit?)

Hope its helps

Re: Fight in the Aegean sea
 

Hallo all,

Firstly thanks to Byron for posting such interesting material.

I cannot really add much. I believe Laurent is correct when he writes that THE ARMED ROVERS does not include all the attacks, and probably not all casualties either.

Volume 2 of the very fine history of 603 Squadron briefly records an attack on an armed caique off Nios on this date (16 April 1944). One Beaufighter was damaged by light flak but reached its base safely. The squadron had no personnel losses (fatal) in the period 14 April to 14 May 1944. Not sure about POWs. It does appear that many of their sweeps over the Aegean Sea took in several islands or targets on most missions. However Nios is some 130 miles NW of Kapsali on Kythira, so 603 Squadron seems unlikely.

No mention of this vessel in Jurgen Rohwer's CHRONOLOGY OF THE WAR AT SEA.

regards,

Martin Gleeson.

Re: Fight in the Aegean sea
 

some other attacks in the Aegean sea in the last days of the occupation

Re: Fight in the Aegean sea
 

The sinking of "Artemis Pita" in the harbour of the island of Milos

a report of the wardiary 31. Bordflakabteilung

Re: Fight in the Aegean sea
 

"Artemis Pitta" in the harbour of Milos

a picture granted by Dimitris Galon

Re: Fight in the Aegean sea
 

None of your last posts is described in the book "Armed Rovers"

On the other hand, I found something about the 16 April 1944:

__________________________________________________ _
454 Sqn RAAF ORB

Form 540
Sqn Ldr Cashmore carried out a recce of the Gulf of Lakonia today. A vessel of some 200-tons was seen in Kapsali. Githion put up a faint-hearted barrge of flak; otherwise the trip was uneventful.

Form 541:
Baltimore FW422
Crew (Sqn Ldr Cashmore V, Flt Lt Gray G, Flg Off Lynch N, Flt Sgt Armstrong D)
Recce of ANti-Kythera, Kythera and Gulf of Lakonia
Start: 0620
Return: 1050
Details: One 50 ton caique was seen in Potamos Bay, Anti-Kythera, and in Kapsali a vessel similar to the Seerauber, 200 tons, sheltering behind the central promontory. At St Nicolo, the masts of a schooner were seen above the water in the same position in which 16 Sqn SAAF attacked a 200 ton schooner on the afternoon of the 15th. The wreck B.59 was still visible. Two caiques 80 and 60 tons, were lying at the southern end of Githion Town Quay, a little inaccurate A/A was experienced at this spot. Small craft only were present in Pirgos Dhiros. Weather fine.

__________________________________________________ _

So still no idea about the attackers (but 16 Sqn SAAF is a strong possibility), but the Aufklärer of the morning was possibly this Baltimore.

Re: Fight in the Aegean sea
 

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

__________________________________________________ _
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.

__________________________________________________

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.

__________________________________________________ _

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