Aerial victories by RAF Boston pilots
 

I assume that Boston pilots used their front guns on occasion, in the same manner as Maryland, Baltimore and Marauder pilots. I have read of kills credited to various pilots of both RAF and SAAF pilots using the above but nothing about Boston pilots. Can anyone supply details of combat claims by pilots (other than those credited to Havoc night intruders).

regards

Keith

Re: Aerial victories by RAF Boston pilots
 

Hi Keith,

Had a quick look at my notes and found no claim by RAF pilots but one involving a SAAF piIot.

ORB of 24 Sqn SAAF:
26/10/42, over target at 10.54
4 Me.109F’s made frontal attack on formation and Major Spencer opened fire with front guns firing 400 rounds into enemy aircraft, obviously hitting it. As the enemy aircraft shot past F/Lt Duncan also opened fire with rear guns, firing 300 rounds. The enemy aircraft then went down in flames over target area.

Will have a closer look at the combat reports of 2 Group RAF later.

Regards,
Peter

Re: Aerial victories by RAF Boston pilots
 

Keith,

From your posting I feel you are looking for claims by Bostons in the bomber role. However there were a number of claims by 23, 418 and 605 Sqns. in the night intruder role with Boston IIIs.

Regards,
Tom

Re: Aerial victories by RAF Boston pilots
 

Thanks chaps. You are correct Tom. Its the bombers rather than intruders I am interested in. Thanks too for your input Peter. I looked at every book I have and also can't see Bostons using their front guns to make any claims. The Mediterranean air war seemed the most likely theatre to see any aerial victories. I know 24 Squadron SAAF made at least six claims for Bf109s in March 1942 alone and quite a few more during the war. In fact they must have made more than twenty, with 15 Squadrons Baltimores also scoring heavily in 1944.

regards

Keith

Re: Aerial victories by RAF Boston pilots
 

Attachment 18562


Combat report from a air to air contact.

I would be interested to know if the shot down aircraft and pilot could be identified

Re: Aerial victories by RAF Boston pilots
 

The Med Air War books should have some info on the claims in this area

Re: Aerial victories by RAF Boston pilots
 

I must admit being rather surprised that you could find any. Unlike the faster, more heavily armed, other types (Maryland, Marauder and Baltimore), the Boston was rarely sent out by itself on the long reconnaissances that provided opportunities. As a more vulnerable type dedicated to the light bomber role in support of the Army, the Bostons normally operated in tight formations that relied upon these for effective bombing, and any individual altering his position to improve his aim would not be popular. Plus the chances of an enemy fighter flying to be ideally placed for the rigid position required must be slight. Of course, if you are a Major then you were probably the senior officer in the formation anyway.

In North Africa the German fighters only rarely bothered the bomber formations, being happy to rack up large scores at the expense of the escorting fighters rather than trying to break up bomber attacks for the benefit of their ground troops. No medals to be had, or reputations polished, for that. So the Bostons were largely undisturbed, and after the move to Italy enemy fighter opposition was rarer anyway.

Sidenote on aerial victories by Soviet Boston pilots
 

Not RAF pilots, as requested, but a number of Soviet Boston (A-20G) pilots were credited with aerial victories.

From William Wolf's book on the "Douglas A-20 Havoc":
- Ivan Shamans, from an anti-shipping squadron was credited, by Sep 1943, with 8 aerial victories and 4 sunk ships from 129 sorties. These were solid nose Bostons used in anti-shipping bombing raids. (No other details are available in the book.)

...geoff