Beaufighter losses over the Aegean Sea, Nov. 10th, 1943
 

Gentlemen,

at around 11.00 hrs a.m. on November 10th, 1943, two Messerschmitt Bf 109s of 8./JG 27 were detailed to escort a transport ship in the Aegean Sea when they encountered a lone twin engined a/c which they identified as a Beaufighter. After a prolonged chase that lasted from southeast of Kos island almost up to Kasos the British a/c was claimed shot down at 11.15 hrs by Gefr. Gerhard Albert.

However, Albert's Messerschmitt was hit by return fire, forcing him to ditch his a/c east of Crete, the location being given as 23 Ost/6688 ( haven't checked that yet ). Two Ar 196s sent out for search and rescue failed to find Albert so that he was listed as missing. For obvious reasons he was unable to file a claim for the Beaufighter himself. There is conflicting information as to whether or not this claim was actually confirmed or at least filed for confirmation by the unit.

My question is: Did the RAF loose a Beaufighter ( or any other type of a/c ) in this engagement or not ? Has anybody got more information on this incident as seen from the British side ?

This claim is not to be confused with two more claims that were made in a later engagement between 2 Bf 109s of III./JG 27 and between 13 and 15 Beaufighters northeast of Stampalia around 13.30 hrs p.w. that same day.

So any information as usual would be appreciated.

Regards

Jochen Prien

Re: Beaufighter losses over the Aegean Sea, Nov. 10th, 1943
 

Hi Jochen,

for the afternoon I have a Beaufighter of 603 Sqn ditched with its starboard engine on fire after being attacked by Bf109s S of Kos. The crew of P/O Eacott was captured. Source: The Greatest Squadron of them all.

Regards

Robert

Re: Beaufighter losses over the Aegean Sea, Nov. 10th, 1943
 

Hi Jochen

I can't really help, although on checking my various notes I cannot find a Beaufighter loss for this action. However, I do have a note that suggests Sqn Ldr Joe Watters, a New Zealander in the RAF flying a Beaufighter of 603 Squadron, may have claimed a Bf109.

All the best for the New Year

Brian

Re: Beaufighter losses over the Aegean Sea, Nov. 10th, 1943
 

Dear Robert,
dear Brian,

many thanks for your quick responses. Brian - do you by any chance have a time for the claim you mentioned ? For if this fit the engagement at 11.15 hrs a.m. I referred to it would lead to obvious conclusions.

Thanks again and

kind regards

Jochen Prien

Re: Beaufighter losses over the Aegean Sea, Nov. 10th, 1943
 

Hi Jochen

I regret that I cannot provide any further details. I don't have a source noted and cannot vouch for accuracy. I found the scribbled note among old research papers.

A chap in New Zealand may be able to assist. I'll send you a PM with his address.

Cheers
Brian

Re: Beaufighter losses over the Aegean Sea, Nov. 10th, 1943
 

The aircraft in request could be Baltimore FA669 of No. 454 Squadron RAAF. Excerpt from the book 'Alamein to the Alps' by Mark Lax : 'On 10 November, another loss, by this time was more certain. After carrying out a photo recce of the Stampalia & Cos
area the crew of FA664 : O reported sighting an invasion fleet of 14 landing craft escorted by seven aircraft.Lost to subsequent enemy action were Flight Sergeant John Joner, Flight Sergeant Joseph Cilvarry, Flight Sergeant John May and Flight Sergeant Dennis Nest.'The book is available on the net.

Regards

Christos

Re: Beaufighter losses over the Aegean Sea, Nov. 10th, 1943
 

10-11-43
From the book Armed Rovers by Roy C.Nesbit:-

“Four torpedo Beaufighters of 47 sqn went out on an Armed Rover in the afternoon of 10 November, escorted by nine of 603 Sqn led by S/L Atkinson. They sighted a small vessel to the south of Cos and one aircraft dropped a torpedo without results, but the other pilot thought that the target was too small. An Ar 196 in the water was hit by cannon fire but then the formation was attacked by Me109s. A Beaufighter of 603 Sqn ditched with its starboard engine on fire but the crew, P/O W.A.Eacott and P/O W.B.F.Pritchard, survived to become PoWs.the remaining aircraft returned safely.

603 Sqn ORB says :-
9 a/c. a/b. 12.10 ?/10 with 3 a/c of 47Sqn. On strike against barges between Amorgos & Leros. 12.38 B/10 “G” returned with fuel leak & V.H.F. u/s. 14.30. B/10 posn.3642N.3638E. sighted Me109 which shortly afterwards notised our a/c., jettisoned 1.r.t.s. and dived in pursuit. 1448 B/10 a/c. H. of 47 Sqn. was seen to ditch. 1450 B/10 posn. 3?00N.265?E. a/c. 275 of 603 Sqn. Ditched with std. engine on fire – an a/c. which returned to look for 275 was driven off by 109s Remaining a/c. landed 1635.

Regards

David

Re: Beaufighter losses over the Aegean Sea, Nov. 10th, 1943
 

Dear Christos,
dear Favid,

many thanks for the additional information; from your post, David, I take it that in fact two Beaufighters were lost in the early afternoon engagement so that the two claims of III./JG 27 are accounted for.

It is a tempting idea that the Baltimore that you, Christos, refer to was in fact the a/c I'm looking for which was calimed in the earlier combat. The erroneous a/c-identification was common place amongst fighter pilots with the variety of British / allied twin engine types not really making it easier.

However, does anone out there by chance have more details concerning the loss of the Maryland Christos mentioned ?

Kind regards

Jochen Prien

Re: Beaufighter losses over the Aegean Sea, Nov. 10th, 1943
 

Hi Jochen.
Just to let you know there were no SAAF losses for that day.
Stefaan

Re: Beaufighter losses over the Aegean Sea, Nov. 10th, 1943
 

"Return fire" would have been from a single Browning? Or a K Gun?