Two 29 Squadron intruder losses, 6-7 October 1944
 

Dear all,

29 Squadron suffered the loss of two Mosquitoes during intruder sorties (to Stade and Handorf) on the night of 6-7 October 1944, KH504 and HK499. I have the crew details, but no further info on the places of crash and cause of loss of these two Mossies. Who can help?

Cheers and thanks for any details, Theo

Re: Two 29 Squadron intruder losses, 6-7 October 1944
 

Hello,
As far as I know:
HK499 was NFXIII, ex 96 Sqn. Missing from night intruder to Handorf 6/7.10.44. F/O A D Lotling, KIA.
HK504 was NFXIII, ex 488 Sqn (ME-M). Missing from night intruder to Stade 6/7.10.44. Crew KIA: P/O Heap, Henry Ainsworth (186902) and P/O Rogers, James Alexander (185843).

Zoran

Re: Two 29 Squadron intruder losses, 6-7 October 1944
 

Thanks Zoran -these are the basic details that I already have, but I now need to know where and when the Mosquitoes were lost (times/locations) and how they were lost (presumably Flak?).

Cheers, Theo

Re: Two 29 Squadron intruder losses, 6-7 October 1944
 

Heap and Rogers died and are on the Runnymede memorial - therefore bodies not found. Most likely came down in sea, but not conclusive

Lofting and Goss became POW - therefore repatriation reports etc are a way in. Unfortunately RAF not RCAF or RAAF

This does not get you much further forward

Martin

Re: Two 29 Squadron intruder losses, 6-7 October 1944
 

Hello,

note indeed that it is HK504 and not KH504! KH504 was a Mustang Mk III (https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/149472).

Kind regards,

Timon

Re: Two 29 Squadron intruder losses, 6-7 October 1944
 

Thanks Martin -one of the problems with these two losses is that I have no documented German NF/Flak claims/loss reports that could be matched, plus no locations/times of loss of either of these a/c.

Cheers, Theo

Re: Two 29 Squadron intruder losses, 6-7 October 1944
 

You're right Timon, thanks for correcting this typo.

Cheers, Theo

Re: Two 29 Squadron intruder losses, 6-7 October 1944
 

FWIW, the F540 for 29 Squadron for 6 October 1944, after listing the names of the four aircrew that failed to return from N.W. Germany, states "It has since been reported that F/Lt. Goss at least is safe."

I have no idea as to the veracity of that statement, just putting it out for informational purposes. The file is AIR27/342/19 if anybody wants to check it; it says nothing however about the cause for the losses, the time, or the location.

Re: Two 29 Squadron intruder losses, 6-7 October 1944
 

Hi Theo
Fernnachtjäger activity over Holstein during the 6/7 Oct 44. No mention of crashed Mosquito.

Re: Two 29 Squadron intruder losses, 6-7 October 1944
 

Hi Carsten,

Thanks for sharing these docs, but as you say, regrettably no details on a crashed Mosquito.

Cheers, Theo

Re: Two 29 Squadron intruder losses, 6-7 October 1944
 

So late in the war all flights should have been plotted by Allied radars.

Re: Two 29 Squadron intruder losses, 6-7 October 1944
 

Theo and others,

Any Allied claim for a Ju 188 or Me 410 on this frame of period and on the general area of those two Mossies returning from Patrol?

I have studied a similar case of INTRUDER loss (in June 1944) and have made the conclusion that at least one of the missing Mossies was lost to "friendly fire".

You can not rule out a damaged compass or Navigational error either....ending on a wheels up landing on the North Sea....not uncommon on literature too....

However, just to give some of us a smile during those difficult times we are passing....and I do hope the Moderators will allow the joke (I tried not to do so, but it was beyound myself...and being a joker myself, the tirade I guess is a good one) >

TIRADE: Regarding the reported Flight Lieutenant GOSS of 29 Squadron....well....he indeed survived....keep flying for the RAF after the war, flew jets and attained Wing Commander rank and still is amongst us as an acknowledged Historian...so Chris Goss, maybe you can tell us about that particular night mission? What really happened?

OBS: Hope you are safe and in health and that the flow of books will keep coming...The Do 17 on Osprey seems amazing and is on the wish list. I just couldn't hold taking the tirade. Hope you will like it! By the way, was this F/L GOSS any relative of yours?

Adriano Silva Baumgartner, ASV 00.344
baumgartner_asv@yahoo.com.br

All the best for all.