Ju 88 Claim 28 March 1944 Jeffrey's & Henderson 417th NFS
 

Have the combat report from US, which differs considerably to two already published by Osprey. Does anyone know which unit the Junkers 88 was with and the pilot or crews names.

Thank you for your time and consideration,

Kind regards

Andy B

Re: Ju 88 Claim 28 March 1944 Jeffrey's & Henderson 417th NFS
 

Andy: A little more info like location or time might help? Was it 27-28 Mar or 28-29 Mar?

Re: Ju 88 Claim 28 March 1944 Jeffrey's & Henderson 417th NFS
 

I found this: https://www.417th-nightfighters.com/...apters-1-3.pdf

Narrative of combat. morning of 28 March, 1944.

Our aircraft was airborne from La Senia, Africa at 0505 hrs on TENTACLE sweep
mission, free lance. At 0755 hrs our a/c sighted a ju-88 flying at deck level on
heading of 030 deg doing 280 mph. our a/c immediately corrected overtaking speed and reduced altitude for attack position. Chase proceeded at deck level whereupon from 800 yd. range our a/c fired a short burst to check pattern and again giving burst ceasing fire at 200 ft. range and breaking away evading enemy's return fire but our a/c sustained damage to exhaust collection ring, port engine and port wing main span. Our aircraft's attack succeeded in damaging enemy aircraft reducing its performance and which was later destroyed by another friendly a/c.

Claim was made for and verified as one Ju-88 damaged by F/O Jeffrey and F/O Henderson (RO).

Narrative of combat. morning of 28 March, 1944.

Our aircraft was airborne from La Senia, Africa at 0510 hrs. to perform a TENTACLE sweep mission, free lance. At 0758 hrs. our a/c sighted one Ju-88 at deck level doing 280 mph. at 0830 hrs on heading of 030 deg. our a/c opened fire from 800 yds at deck level observing pattern of gunfire around the enemy a/c. Our a/c received return fire from enemy's dorsal guns sustaining no damage. Enemy aircraft then headed toward coast of France.

No claim was made.

No names are included for the second report, nor is it made clear who eventually claimed the Ju 88 as destroyed.

If it was a lone Ju 88 heading for France, there's a good chance it was from 1.(F)/33.

Re: Ju 88 Claim 28 March 1944 Jeffrey's & Henderson 417th NFS
 

There are three claims by the 417th NFS on the morning of March 28, 1944.

0758, Ju 88 dam 120 m NNE of Point 10, 2/Lt Russell J Gebler + FO Everett F Packham

0803, Ju 88 dam 105-110 m NNE of Point 10, FO Joe F Draper + 1/Lt William A Larson

0822 Ju 88 dest 40 m NE of Cape Palos, 2/Lt Rayford W Jeffrey + 2/Lt William A Henderson

All in Beaufighter VIf, serials unknown

How many different aircraft are involved in these claims I do not know.

Enjoy!

Frank.

Re: Ju 88 Claim 28 March 1944 Jeffrey's & Henderson 417th NFS
 

Good Evening Andy,
Think this is what you are looking for:
Excerpt from Point Blank Vol. 3 March 1944

1.(F)/A.Gr. 33 / Junkers Ju 88 D-1 / # 430555 / 8H + OH / Reconnaissance Flight Mediterranean Sea -> Oran - Algeria / Shot down by Beaufighter - 2nd Lieutenant Jeffrey - 417. NFS. / Crashed into the Mediterranean Sea approximately 60 Km northeast Cape Palos - Spain / Leutnant Günter Roselieb (FF) + Oberleutnant Walter Gobbers + Feldwebel Wilhelm Hagemann + Oberfeldwebel Gustav Bade - all missing in Action


All the best,

Fred
:)

Re: Ju 88 Claim 28 March 1944 Jeffrey's & Henderson 417th NFS
 

Many Thanks Chris, Nick, Frank and Fred much appreciated.

Andy