Pedestal, Sea Hurricanes 12.08.42
 

Hi,


does anybody know the losses of Sea Hurricanes (probbaly 801,880 or 885 FAA) during the Luftwaffe attack on morning of 12.08.42 on "Pedestal"convoy? The pilots of 1/JG77 claimed at least 4 Hurricanes (09.05-09.15).

Regards

Robert

Re: Pedestal, Sea Hurricanes 12.08.42
 

The best reference to the Pedestal combats is Malta: The Spitfire Year 1942 by Chris Shores, Brian Cull and Nicola Malizia. They make no specific mention of JG 77 but there are references to anonymous Axis fighters during the morning interception of LG 1's Ju 88s.

800 Sq's White 1, Lt Martyn (V7416) was hit in the engine by return fire from the Ju 88s but force-landed on Indomitable. White 3, M, Sub Lt. Roberts, thought he had been shot down by a fighter but the authors suggest return fire from the bombers. Sub Lt Thomson's Red 4 was hit by a cannon shell or heavy machine gun bullet whilst attacking the bombers, which shot way part of the cowling, but he returned safely to the carrier (the a/c is also reported as being V7416!)

880 Sq's Blue Section did not see any fighters or suffer any losses.

880's Black Section did not engage at this time

885's three Sea Hurricanes were attacked by fighters, no.2 Sub Lt. Long, was damaged but evaded and continued to attack the bombers. No 3, Sub Lt Hankey, failed to return.

It seems as though JG 77 managed to hit the Sea Hurricanes as they attacked the bombers but only achieved perhaps two kills and up to three damaged. In return six bombers were shot down (out of eight claimed) although one could be due to AA fire.

Re: Pedestal, Sea Hurricanes 12.08.42
 

Hi Graham,

thanks a lot for this great info!!

Regards

Robert

Re: Pedestal, Sea Hurricanes 12.08.42
 

Are exact losses known? I'm particularly looking for Ju 88s of LG 1.

Re: Pedestal, Sea Hurricanes 12.08.42
 

L1+EH, reportedly shot down by fighters
OH, reportedly shot down by fighters
YK, reportedly shot down by fighters
ON, reportedly shot down by Italian fighters
GN, missing
HP, reportedly shot down by fighters and AA
AP, believed shot down by fighters
and DN damaged.

Re: Pedestal, Sea Hurricanes 12.08.42
 

Many thanks Graham, that's great!

What is you're source if I may ask? I've been trying to find a write up with at least some detail of encounters between LG 1 Ju 88s and Sea Hurricanes, but so far without much luck. Most books on the subject gloss it over with just summing that x Ju 88s were shot down and x Sea Hurricanes were lost. Do you have any recommendations?

Re: Pedestal, Sea Hurricanes 12.08.42
 

The best reference to the Pedestal combats is Malta: The Spitfire Year 1942 by Chris Shores, Brian Cull and Nicola Malizia. Pages 477-479 in this case. Names are given for at least the pilots of the Ju88s.

Re: Pedestal, Sea Hurricanes 12.08.42
 

Thanks Graham!

Re: Pedestal, Sea Hurricanes 12.08.42
 

Graham

The way I read the book it seems the authors were unaware of specifically the 1./JG 77 escort and at least to me it feels we have to add (perhaps even change) some of their conclusions in the text due to that. It also looks like you already have changed your conclusions as well.

If LG 1 losses are specifically looked for, the two volume set written by Peter Taghon should give much more details with regard to WNr and crews.

Cheers
Stig

Re: Pedestal, Sea Hurricanes 12.08.42
 

Stig: I agree that the authors appear to have been unaware of the involvement of JG.77 and I'm sure they would have changed the text had they been so aware.

I don't understand your reference to my "conclusions" as I was only acting as a conduit, except for the last segment in posting 2. If I've somehow misinterpreted the book's information then I'm sorry.

Re: Pedestal, Sea Hurricanes 12.08.42
 

Well Graham

Since you also got the information re JG 77 involvement I interpreted your answer that you also had started to draw the right conclusions so to speak.

At least I found it rather fascinating to re-read the text with their involvment in mind.

Cheers
Stig