I.D. for Wildcat flown by Digby Cosh, 881 Sqn, April 1944 against Tirpitz?
 

Hello everyone

I'm doing a bit of research on the above Canadian pilot, who flew with 881 Sqn FAA. In April 1944 he was part of the attack on the Tirpitz. Is there any way of knowing the I.D. of the Wildcat he was flying? And would it have been a Wildcat IV?

Regards

Simon

Re: I.D. for Wildcat flown by Digby Cosh, 881 Sqn, April 1944 against Tirpitz?
 

They would be Mk.Vs.

examples are JV392 5H, JV389 5F, JV373 5S (definitely not the one you want), JV356 5A, JV374 5G, JV375 5O, .... I can find others but which is your man's? Unless he did something significant in it (such as a crashlanding), his name won't be mentioned.

It is likely (certain) that he flew more than one aircraft during his time with the unit, although possibly just the ones belonging to his flight.

Re: I.D. for Wildcat flown by Digby Cosh, 881 Sqn, April 1944 against Tirpitz?
 

Thank for the reply Graham.

If it's any help, at the time he was a Lt Commander and led 881 Sqn on Operation Tungsten (the code name for the Tirpitz attack).

Regards

Simon

Re: I.D. for Wildcat flown by Digby Cosh, 881 Sqn, April 1944 against Tirpitz?
 

Then there'll be a strong chance he flew 5A.

Re: I.D. for Wildcat flown by Digby Cosh, 881 Sqn, April 1944 against Tirpitz?
 

Sounds a very reasonable chance indeed Graham! :)

Do you have any other possible serials tied in with the 5A code apart from JV356?

Regards

Simon

Re: I.D. for Wildcat flown by Digby Cosh, 881 Sqn, April 1944 against Tirpitz?
 

Hi all.
ADM 199/844 confirms that Cosh flew JV356 during operation Tungsten. No aircraft letter I'm afraid.

ADM 199/840 has two combat reports from Act. Lieutenant Commander D. R. B. Cosh dated 12. February 1944. The first combat took place at 0945 hours and Cosh flew Wildcat Mk. V JV392/H. The enemy aircraft intercepted was reported to be a Ju 290.
At 2000 hours (reported to be at night) Cosh flew Wildcat Mk. V JV375/V. This time the enemy was, quote: 4 to 5 He 177 (probably 2 Fw 200).

All the best,
Bengt

Re: I.D. for Wildcat flown by Digby Cosh, 881 Sqn, April 1944 against Tirpitz?
 

That's brilliant stuff Bengt, many thanks indeed. :)

Graham posted in his earlier message that JV356 was 5A, so that all tied up rather nicely indeed!

Thanks for all your help with this Gents, much appreciated.

Simon

Re: I.D. for Wildcat flown by Digby Cosh, 881 Sqn, April 1944 against Tirpitz?
 

Just a quick addendum. The three serials are all Wildcat V, which are the FM-1 version. This is the F4F-4 model of the Wildcat but with four wing guns instead of six, built by Eastern Aircraft for the FAA and supplied under Lend-Lease.

Interestingly they were reportedly preferred by FAA pilots to the six gun Wildcats as the extra guns and ammunition added weight.

Regards

Simon

Re: I.D. for Wildcat flown by Digby Cosh, 881 Sqn, April 1944 against Tirpitz?
 

Simon: hope you don't mind me bumping your thread.

The claims on 12 February 1944 appear to be one He 177 destroyed, and one Fw 200 destroyed (and possibly one damaged?).

One of the claimants was Sub-Lt (A) Norman K. Turner, RNVR, 881 Sqn. Who was the other, and who claimed what?

Bruce

Re: I.D. for Wildcat flown by Digby Cosh, 881 Sqn, April 1944 against Tirpitz?
 

Bruce

Cosh made two combat reports on February 12th 1944, one at 09.45 hours (one Ju-290 attacked, no damage seen) and another at 20.00 hours, as follows:

12/2/44
2000 hours
Wildcat V JV375
Type and number of enemy: 4 or 5 He-177 (probably 2 Fw-200)
Tally Ho was given by S/Lt Turner (formating on my port). He dived down to starboard, just as I saw E/A 1000' below, on opposite course. I stall turned down to port in a stern attack, and fired two short bursts. Tracer came up from rear gunner, and ships on the port after convoy also fired at me. I broke way to starboard, and lost contact in the dark. Strikes were observed.
Caused E/A (Thought to be FW 200 or He 177) to turn to Starboard, and pass astern of convoy. Definitely single fin and rudder.

Obviously with it being dark, identification of the German aircraft was somewhat difficult!

As well as Turner and Cosh, two other pilots from H.M.S. Pursuer made Combat Reports for February 12th 1944:

Lt. H. P. Wilson, R.C.N.V.R.
Ty. Sub Lt. (A) T.L.M. Brander, R.N.V.R

Regards

Simon