333 Sqn 11 Jun 44
 

Can anyone tell me if a Mosquito was lost to friendly fire on this date?

Re: 333 Sqn 11 Jun 44
 

Hi Chris

HR133

Lt. Engebrigtsen RNorNAS
Lt. O G Jonassen RNorNAS

On a transit flight between Wick and Sumburgh the Mosquito was attacked by Spitfires and shot down into Auskerry Sound, near Stronsay, Orkney. The crew were thrown clear by the impact and Lt. Engebrigtsen grabbed the injured navigator but could not keep him afloat and was forced to let him go under. Eventually the pilot was rescued by an air sea rescue launch.
Code may be N.

Regards
Ross

Re: 333 Sqn 11 Jun 44
 

Many thanks-so my man (FS Bodden 118 Sqn) did shoot down the Mossie and then was shot down himself by American fighters a year later

Re: 333 Sqn 11 Jun 44
 

Hi Chris,

Believe there was a mention of this incident in Coastal Command Review for 1944 I'll mail you tomorrow to confirm, as my wife has suffered a stroke and I'm currently at home today.

Kind Regards

Andy Bird

Re: 333 Sqn 11 Jun 44
 

Andy: Thanks and sorry to hear that. Hope all gets better
Chris

Re: 333 Sqn 11 Jun 44
 

Hi Andy

Our thoughts are with you and your wife.

Brian

Re: 333 Sqn 11 Jun 44
 

Many Thanks Brian & Chris, for your kind thoughts
Andy

Re: 333 Sqn 11 Jun 44
 

It wasn't Flt Sgt Bodden, or not according to the RAF Skeabrae ORB:

June 11th 1944, “Flying Accident: Two Spitfires VB of No.118 Squadron, stationed at Skeabrae, (W/O Stewart and F/Sgt Miller) whilst on Camera Gun practise N.W. of Base saw unidentified aircraft W of Brough Head (LY.7850) which was fired at and followed until reaching Mull Head (LZ.0478) Times up and Down:-
W/O Stewart 1017 – 1136 hours
F/Sgt Miller 1017 – 1137 hours
Rounds Fired:-
W/O Stewart 600 x .303 116 x 20mm
F/Sgt Miller 160 x .303 - -
Later it was reported that a Mosquito whilst flying N.N.E. on passage to Sumburgh (LU.9630) crash landed at 11.48 in Auskerry Sound (LZ.2040). One of crew saved and taken to Kirkwall Military Hospital.”

June 12th 1944, “Court of Enquiry: A Court of Enquiry was detailed as under assembled at 14.00 hours to investigate, allocate responsibility, and make recommendations if any, regarding a flying accident involving Spitfire BL.718 and Spitfire BM.423, both of Skeabrae, and a Mosquito from Leuchars. The evidence was taken on oath.”
President – W/Cdr G.H. Schofield, Headquarters, A.D.G.B.
Members – S/Ldr E. Cassidy, D.F.C. Headquarters, No.13 Group
S/Ldr A.W.G. Andrews, No.519 Squadron.”

Re: 333 Sqn 11 Jun 44
 

Hi Chris,

This is what I've found: I'll check AM Weekly/Monthly as well and will let you know.

Andy

At 11:45 hours on the morning of June 11, 1944 an S.O.S was received from Mosquito N/333. The aircraft continued to transmit and a ground station was able to obtain a series of good MF/DF and Gee Fixes. From then until the aircraft sent "Ditching", at 11:47/48 hours. Air/Sea Rescue, through its liaison with the Navy, RNLI and local fishing trawlers kept surface craft informed of the position of the distressed aircraft.

As a result, very soon after the aircraft ditched all but one of the crew were safe aboard. The missing man went down with the aircraft.

Hector Bolitho - CC Review June 1944

Re: 333 Sqn 11 Jun 44
 

Just a clarification of the Norwegian pilot involved. I believe the correct spelling of the last name is "Ingebrigtsen." His first name was Hans.

He claimed one FW 200 damaged with 330 Sqn. and one He 115 destroyed with 333 Sqn. (Olynyk, RAF 300 Series Squadrons & Larsson, RAF Nordic Claims of Enemy Aircraft)

Tom

Re: 333 Sqn 11 Jun 44
 

Hans Hagbart Engebrigtsen with E is his name, should be no doubt about that. He published a book about his war experiences in 1991.

Re: 333 Sqn 11 Jun 44
 

Paal,

Many thanks for that clarification. Would you happen to know his date and place of birth and/or his service number?

Cheers,
Tom

Re: 333 Sqn 11 Jun 44
 

According to a book about 333, Engebrigtsen's service no. was 7160. He appears to be born in 1916, I cannot find anything more than that. He survived the war, went on to study law. For many years he worked for NORAD (not the US defence thingy but the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, in Sri Lanka. He wrote his book Seirens bitre frukter (lit. The bitter fruits of victory), an anti war book, in 1991. It goes into this incident in detail. Regarding a comment above that Jonassen went down with the plane; that is NOT correct. Jonassen was alive and floating with Engebrigtsen, but must have drifted away. When Engebrigtsen was rescued, he remembers saying he was right next to him, but the rescuers could not find him. According to the book, the court martial was 8 weeks after the incident. The Spitfire pilot was a New Zealander, and had been in stockade since the shooting. He lost rank and was sent back to NZ.

Odd Gjestrum Jonassen's service no. was 0040, according to the 333 book. He was born October 3. 1918 in Larvik. When they were shot down, they were flying their 26. mission together, according to Engebrigtsen.

Re: 333 Sqn 11 Jun 44
 

Thanks all in respect of my initial query as it would now appear that it was not Bodden

Re: 333 Sqn 11 Jun 44
 

Paal,

Thank you for providing those details.

Tom

Re: 333 Sqn 11 Jun 44
 

Forgot to mention; Jonassen was later found on a beach on the Orkney Islands, and was laid to rest in Kirkwall.