Defiant 11 Dec 42
 

3./JG 26 claimed to have shot down a Defiant on this day which was not confirmed and in any case none were lost. It was not a 276 or 277 Sqn Defiant so any ideas what 3./JG 26 might have encountered?

Re: Defiant 11 Dec 42
 

An a/c of 515 Sqn?

Re: Defiant 11 Dec 42
 

Nothing mentioned in ORB

Re: Defiant 11 Dec 42
 

Luftflotte records state a possible Defiant at 1220hrs near Dungeness and then setting two "Spitfires" on fire at "Flugplatz New Romney" so what now about latter claims?

Re: Defiant 11 Dec 42
 

Hi,
Only "odd" one's are -
Miles Master III - W8503 - 16(P)FTS.
and
Fulmar II - N4128 - 769 Sqdn, FAA.

Others may be -

Spitfire Vc - ES265 - 7FPP.
and
Hurricane IIb - JS343 - 247 Sqdn.

Alex

Re: Defiant 11 Dec 42
 

Thanks Alex; not the Hurricane
https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...ls/r/C18045139

Re: Defiant 11 Dec 42
 

Hi Chris, finally managed to find Forman's FCWD Jan42- Dec 42.

Page 228.

11 December 1942
Day: At noon two 401 Squadron Spitfire pilots caught some 3/JG 26 FW190's off Hastings.
Pilot Officer. S. C. Casburn claimed one shot down and Flying Officer T. K. Ibbotson claimed a ' damaged ' .
Cosburg(Casburn ?) hit Uizeroffizier Kuhn, who reached the French coast but was killed attempting to crash -land .
Far to the North, a Ju88 was claimed damaged by Spitfire pilots.

164 Sqdn claim 1 damaged.
401 Sqdn claim 1 destroyed.

From CWGC
First Officer, Norman Kenneth RODWAY - ATA.
Liverpool (Allerton) Cemetery, Lancashire.

From RAF Commands Forum
Spitfire Vb - ES260 - 7 FPP.

Also I found that both the Miles Master III - W8503 - 16 SFTS
and
Fulmar II - N4128 - 769 Sqdn.
We're after all lost on the 11/12/42.

Alex

Re: Defiant 11 Dec 42
 

11 December I am afraid.............

Re: Defiant 11 Dec 42
 

Updated previous post.

Re: Defiant 11 Dec 42
 

Thanks but ES260 crashed at Dyce in an accident likewise W8503 at RAF Newton. N4128 crashed at Erbitshall Scotland in an accident as well

Re: Defiant 11 Dec 42
 

From the Tony Woods files.

11.12.42 Fw. Karl Willius: 23 ► 2./JG 26 Defiant ⬜ 2-3 km. vor Dungeness: 5 m. 12.15 Film C.2027/I Anerk: ASM.

From The JG 26 War Diary vol1 1939 - 1942
Has on page 310 -

11 December
The 3rd Staffel's Fw Willius shot up an ASR Defiant and claimed its destruction, but the claim was not confirmed; the Defiant in fact escaped..

Vol 2, Appendix page 529 has -

Date - Rank - Name - Unit - CL - Aircraft - Place - Time - Opponent - Conf.
11-12-42 - Fw - Willius - 3 - 1 - Defiant - 2-3kmE of Dungeness - 1215 - 277 Sqd - No.

So the Defiant 's 277 Sqdn ORB may have a note of the encounter ?

Having looked at the ORB for 277 Sqdn, "AIR 271600/24 & 25" for the 11/12/42 it looks like Sgt. D. LUNN who was Pilot of Defiant AA316 , UP at 1200 - 1235 hrs would have been the claim in question.
However There does not seem to be any mention of any enemy engagement, yet there is a not of another Airman going to London to buy flowers for a wedding , priorities ??

Alex

Re: Defiant 11 Dec 42
 

Alex: Martlesham Heath to Castle Camps would not have taken him anywhere near Dungeness and in any case he was only airborne for 35 mins. However, B Flt at Hawkinge and C Flt at Shoreham did have aircraft airborne at the time, B Flt aircraft carrying out air firing at the right time but nothing mentioned

Re: Defiant 11 Dec 42
 

Found it! It was AA312/U of 277 Sqn RAF Hawkinge which was on an air firing exercise and bounced at 1220hrs. Both lower guns smashed, bullet holes in fin, flap, wing and wheel. Flt Lt John A Spence & Sgt Howard W Brunckorst. Gunner had a jam of his guns when attacked. 11 Dec entry inserted after 12 Dec entry which is why we both missed it. Spence awarded DFC as a result

Re: Defiant 11 Dec 42
 

Hi Chris,
He was flown by another Airman from his base to the other airfield where he picked up the Defiant, later returning to home base in the Defiant.
In regard to Spence and Brunckorst, it begins with a Lysander "U" but later mentions a Defiant ?

A ha, just found it, Defiant AA312 "U".

The ORB pages are a bit of a muddle :(

So Luftwaffe Pilot should have his claim added, a little late but 277 ORB confirms claim

Alex