111 Sqn 4.9.43
 

This squadron made a number of claims on this date. I have a total of 7 Mc200/Mc202, destroyed. Does anyone know which Italian units were involved? I know Gilroy claimed a Re2002 as an MC200, perhaps the Macchis were also Re2002?

I'd also like to know if they claimed any "probable" or "damaged" because I can't find any of the claimants making other than confirmed destroyed claims.

I also see that 43 Squadron made another claim (by Horbaczewski). Was his the only victory for that squadron?

regards

Keith

Re: 111 Sqn 4.9.43
 

At least part of these claims were made in the battle described at the end of the following page:
http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/italy_cenni.htm

Italian losses in this battle were 1 Macchi of 4° Stormo and 3 Re2002 of 101° Gruppo.

As for the claim by Horbaczewski on 4 September 1943, I can find it in "Aces High" as a Bf 109 shot down in Cittanova area, but there is nothing about it in the Osprey book about 43 Sqn, that is usually complete AFAIK regarding air battles by this squadron.

Re: 111 Sqn 4.9.43
 

Hi,

Information from the relevant Wing ORB:

Between 12:00 and 13:40 twelve Spitfires of 111 Squadron, led by G/Capt. Gilroy, patrolled the Messina Straits. They claimed numerous victories. G/Capt. Gilroy claimed one Mc. 200 destroyed, Sgt. Eccleston claimed a Mc. 200 destroyed, and shared in the destruction of a Mc. 202. F/O. Young claimed half a Mc. 200 destroyed and one FW 190 destroyed, F/Sgt. Gray destroyed one Mc. 200 and shared in the destruction of another. Sgt. Hall claimed half an Mc. 200 destroyed and a Mc. 200 damaged. F/Lt. Parrett claimed half a Mc. [no variant given] destroyed. F/O. Woolgar claimed half an Mc. 200 destroyed. F/Sgt. Plumridge claimed a Mc. 202 probably destroyed.

From the No. 43 Squadron ORB:

"07:25-09:00: 15 aircraft were on patrol Messina area. When formation was ten miles west of Reggio two Bf 109s were seen by the Spitfire IX section at 25,000 feet approaching from the north east. Enemy aircraft turned north-west and then seeing one aircraft opened fire on them and turned again to the north east diving vertically at a very high speed. Our aircraft gave chase and one of the enemy aircraft was destroyed by S/Ldr. Horbaczewski at 'deck level'. Enemy aircraft crashed near Cittanova."

Horby's victim was almost certainly a 2.(H)/14 Bf 109, one of which was reported lost in combat in the Reggio area.

All the best,
Andrew A.
Air War Publications - www.airwarpublications.com

Re: 111 Sqn 4.9.43
 

Superb Andrew, thanks!

I have "Hap" Kennedy shooting down a Fw190 (which must be a Re2001 unless it was a separate combat,although the details are very close to a combat with Cenni and his Re2001s?) Plumridge claiming a kill (not a probable) and Trowbridge making two claims (one shared with Parrott). No mention of Young or Woolgar(I assume that they shared a kill) since Hall shared with Gray.

regards

Keith

Re: 111 Sqn 4.9.43
 

Hi Keith,

F/O. Irving Farmer 'Hap' Kennedy's claim for an FW 190 destroyed was actually made on a later mission. From 15:45 to 17:25 ten Spitfires of No. 111 Squadron patrolled the Straits of Messina. The time of Kennedy's victory was 16:15, and the location was from off Cap Rasocolmo to two miles inland of Pizzo. He was flying Spitfire Mk. VC EE750.

Sources: unit records, information via Frank Olynyk

All the best,
Andrew A.
Air War Publications - www.facebook.com/airwarpublications

Re: 111 Sqn 4.9.43
 

Hi Andrew,

Cool. I assume that the earlier Fw190 claimed was an Re2001. I still can't work out how it's 6-7 Macchis destroyed but there seems to be claims at least for 10!

Do you know who shared Laurie McIntosh's Do217 on 13/9/43?


regards

Keith

Re: 111 Sqn 4.9.43
 

Hi Keith,

Back to 4 September 1943 again, the No. 111 Squadron ORB lists the day's victories as follows, but gives no types. The Wing ORB claims are in square brackets:

G/Capt. Gilroy: 1-0-0 [1 Mc 200 destroyed]
F/O. Young: 1/2-0-1 [1/2 Mc 202 destroyed, 1 FW 190 destroyed]
Sgt. Eccleston: 1-0-0 [1 Mc 200 destroyed, 1/2 Mc 202 destroyed]
Sgt. Trowbridge: 1 1/2-0-0
Sgt. Hall: 1/2-0-1 [1/2 Mc 200 destroyed, 1 Mc 200 damaged]
F/Lt. Parrott: 1/2-0-0 [1/2 Mc destroyed]
F/O. Woolgar: 1/2-0-0 [1/2 Mc 200 destroyed]
Sgt. Gray: 1 1/2-0-0 [1 1/2 Mc 200 destroyed]
Sgt. Plumridge: 0-1-0 [1 Mc 202 probably destroyed]

For the late-afternoon mission:
F/O. Kennedy: 1-0-0 [1 FW 190 destroyed]

For 13 September, the Do 217 claims were made by F/O. Mellors (one destroyed), Sgt. Plumridge (one destroyed), and another damaged by an unnamed pilot.

Cheers,
Andrew A.
Air War Publications - www.facebook.com/airwarpublications

Re: 111 Sqn 4.9.43
 

Blimey that's another puzzle. Aces High gives Laurie McIntosh a share of a Do217 20m off the coast of Naples. No time is given. Is he the missing pilot I wonder or did he share one of the other destroyed claims.

As for 4/9/43 then if Young's claim for an Fw190 is only damaged then we are down to six, which fits perfectly. Disregarding Eccleston's shared claim in the Wing ORB. (Gilroy, Young/Woolgar, Eccleston, Gray/Hall, Parrott/Trowbridge, Trowbridge). Which is pretty accurate given that four Italian aircraft were shot down and another damaged.

cheers


Keith

Re: 111 Sqn 4.9.43
 

Claims on the 13/9/43 by 111 Sqn:

F/O FA Mellors: Do 217 destroyed

F/Sgt KA Plumridge: Do 217 destroyed

F/O L McIntosh, F/O R Kirkwood, Sgt Gray: Do 217 damaged

Re: 111 Sqn 4.9.43
 

For the 13/9 claims, can anyone further ID F/O R. Kirkwood and Sgt. Gray ( full names, service nos., etc)? For the 4/9 claims, how about F/O Young and F/O Woolgar?

Thanks,
Tom