Loss of f/l Watts 07.04. 1945
 

Dear all

Reading the brilliant book " Brennpunkt Westkuste" by Halvor Speerbund, I found information about an attack on the 07.4.1945.

On the 07.04. 1945 there was an attack on german vessels at Vadheim in Sognefjord.
Two german fw 190 were lost and one mustang from 19 sqd.

I have been searching this site, but not been able to find any info here about this mission or 19 squadron.

Does any one have any more info on this ?
Links to sites of 19 sqd etc.

Thanks

Re: Loss of f/l Watts 07.04. 1945
 

You may find the answer in this post on rafcommands: http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/sho...n-7-april-1945

Apparently F/L G. Watt of 65 Squadron instead.

Regards,

Leendert

Re: Loss of f/l Watts 07.04. 1945
 

Thanks Leendert

It seems that he is listed in both 19th and 65 squadron.
The quote from the ORB really helps.
Thanks.

So where may I find more info on 65 sqd and the codes for KH686 ?

Re: Loss of f/l Watts 07.04. 1945
 

But then again, from the ORB from 65 sqd shows no Watt on the 07.04.1945.
There is a W/O Wickham listed as the fourth plane from 65 sqd.

Re: Loss of f/l Watts 07.04. 1945
 

What would be the call sign for Mustang P 51 IVA KH686 at 65 Squadron ?

Re: Loss of f/l Watts 07.04. 1945
 

Debriefing of F/Lt G.C.L. Watt

Bumping this thread, as I have been doing some research on this incident.
I am further looking to find som information about the debrief that most probable took place on his return to England, but I am struggling to find these at TNA at Kew as they seem to end in March 1945.
Anyone here able to help me ?

Here is a link to some information on my search:
http://www.examiner.com.au/story/160...s-war-mystery/

Re: Loss of f/l Watts 07.04. 1945
 

Mustang KH 686, call sign YT-P is found.
Thanks for the help in the research goes to Sara Mosher and Steve Brooking amongst many others.

Some more information on the research here:
http://forum.gaijinent.com/index.php...-7-april-1945/

Link to images of debris here:
http://s763.photobucket.com/user/kav...H%20686%20YT-P

It would be nice if anyone could help identify the part with the number on it.

Re: Loss of f/l Watts 07.04. 1945
 

Have been checking up on the story with F/Lt. Watt. The 65 Sqn. ORB have omitted Watt (who was lost) and W/C Wickham (who led both 19 and 65 sqadrons on 7 April). 13 Group ORB (AIR 25/234) says 65 Squadron had six aircaft on operations that day. 65 Sqn. escorted the outriders and 19 Sqn. the strike force. The problem is that the 65 Sqn. ORB is not entirely correct and are missing essential data. My question is whow YT-P is connected to KH686? Have been looking in many documents after serial number-codes tie ups for 19 and 65 squadron Mustngs. So far with little luck appart from combat reports. Is Watts log book at the National Archive in Kew, London? Have to check!

Regards
Bengt, Bodø, Norway.

Re: Loss of f/l Watts 07.04. 1945
 

Bengt

As you say the completion of the 65Sqn ORB is of variable quality. My copy of Form 541 does list Wickham but I agree it does not list Watt. There is a Combat Report for 7 April 1945 which gives more detail it comes up under the name F/Lt G C Pearson.

During 1944-45 aircraft 'P' on 65 Sqn was usually flown by F/Off Max Lloyd the tie in for KH686 comes from his logbook.

Steve

Re: Loss of f/l Watts 07.04. 1945
 

Thanks for swift answer, Steve. Going to check out what log books are held at Kew for the next visit.

Bengt

Re: Loss of f/l Watts 07.04. 1945
 

Interesting topic

Franks in Fighter Command losses vol 3 also gives F/Lt G C S Pearson as the individual who was lost in KH686 (Pearson evidently also got back)

Since only one Mustang was lost on the 7th and I doubt that both Watt and Pearson shared the same cockpit, it seems rather evident that Pearson is wrong, or was by any chance a second Mustang lost that day?

Otherwise who was Pearson and why is he recorded as lost on this day?

At face value it looks to me as Pearson was recorded by mistake by the Squadron as MIA. Did by any chance Watt fly this mission in his place?

Cheers
Stig

Re: Loss of f/l Watts 07.04. 1945
 

For those who have some or of course full knowledge of Norwegian, a background story on Gordon Watt here:
http://www.nrk.no/sognogfjordane/kve...tt_-1.11074720

Med vennlig hilsen,

Leendert

Re: Loss of f/l Watts 07.04. 1945
 

Thanks Leendert

Being from Sweden, I have no problems reading the text. Looks like both Watt and Pearson was on the mission together, so it is quite a mystery why Watt is not listed in the ORB and that Pearson was reported as the one MIA in KH686.

Feels like a really sloppy work by someone writing the diary....

Cheers
Stig

Re: Loss of f/l Watts 07.04. 1945
 

Gentlemen

I can't comment on "Fighter Command Losses" as I said Pearson obviously was debriefed for and signed the Combat Report for 7 April 1945. Pearson is recorded again on Form 541 on 14 April and on 19 April he was the pilot of the well known YT*E that force landed in Sweden.

Steve

Re: Loss of f/l Watts 07.04. 1945
 

Thanks for the reminder Steve

Obviously Franks didn't wonder why Pearson could be listed by him first on the 7th and then have time to both get back to England and be operational again in 12 days to forceland outside Varberg on the 19th. Incidentally Pearson was interned for 10 days

At least it makes me pretty sure who was in KH686 on the 7th. :)

Cheers
Stig

Re: Loss of f/l Watts 07.04. 1945
 

An update on this here, published today:

https://www.nrk.no/sognogfjordane/xl...yst-1.13133732