German claim for a Blenheim August 23rd 1940.
 

Hi,

A witness near St Tricat, France stated that he watched as a 'Messerschmitt' shoot down a 218 squadron Blenheim at around 15.00hrs resulting in the Blenheim crashing in flames.

Can anyone please confirm any claims for this time and location.

TIA

Steve

Re: German claim for a Blenheim August 23rd 1940.
 

Although I cannot trace a Luftwaffe claim for this one, Blenheim IV T1990 of 105 Squadron crashed at Guines, only a couple of miles from St. Tricat on 23/08/40.
Edited to show 218 Squadron not 105. Sorry

Re: German claim for a Blenheim August 23rd 1940.
 

Hello,

I think you mean No.218 Sqn (not 105 Sqn), Blenheim IV T1990.

Col.

Re: German claim for a Blenheim August 23rd 1940.
 

According to the information in Michael Balls' database, that day the German fighter units claimed five Fairey Battles (two were lost, I think), but no Blenheim twin. Presumably, the victim of the AA fire, or...

Regards,
Sinisa

Re: German claim for a Blenheim August 23rd 1940.
 

...or the Air Gunner of the 218 Squadron Blenheim shot down the Me 109 E?

Do we have on the NVM any recorded Bf 109 E loss nearby on the same date and same "frame of action"? Maybe one shot the other, hence NO claim on the LW side....

...or, do we have any French Air Force claiming a German LW airplane at the same time and same place (perhaps a friendly-fire case)?

Adriano

Re: German claim for a Blenheim August 23rd 1940.
 

Adriano,

1. A good point, but no such Bf 109 E losses appear to have been recorded that day.

2. The French Air Force... ceased to exist with the Armistice of 23 June 1940. That is some two months before this incident.

Sinisa

Re: German claim for a Blenheim August 23rd 1940.
 

Hi,

The Air81 File states that the Blenheim, flown by S/Ldr Charles House, A Flight Commander, 218 Squadron records that the Blenheim was attacked by 'Messerschmitt fighters' . An eye witness also reported three 'Messerschmitt fighters were involved'. The survivor did not report any claim for a fighter. Flak was encountered, but both seem sure it was a fighter that brought the Blenheim down.

Was any Bf110 units in the area ?

Steve

Re: German claim for a Blenheim August 23rd 1940.
 

All the claims (for Battles and Defiants) came much later in the day. No Bf 110 claims are listed and in any case, any interception of RAF aircraft would almost definitely be by Bf 109s. I can see no Bf 109s being lost in such a combat-a very quiet day for the Luftwaffe

Re: German claim for a Blenheim August 23rd 1940.
 

Hi,

probably a victim of Flakregiment 201.

Robert

Re: German claim for a Blenheim August 23rd 1940.
 

Hi Robert,

Can you expand on this please.

Regards

Steve