Help Please: 10 Group Roadstead - June 15th 1943
 

On June 15th 1943 263 Squadron with the support of 8 Spitfires from 616 Squadron and 8 Spitfires from 504 Squadron undertook an early morning Roadstead which took them to a few miles NE of Sark in the Channel Islands.

In the ensuing encounter RNZAF pilot R. J. Sim of 616 Squadron was shot down in Spitfire VI BR319 YQ-C, RAAF pilot M.T. Cotton of 263 Squadron in P7000 dropped his 2 x 250 lb bombs and sank the German Minesweeper M483 before being himself shot down.

Does anyone happen to have transcripts of the 540's, 541's and any existing combat reports for 616 and 504 Squadrons for this particular Roadstead please?

Any other additional information regarding this particular operation would be much appreciated.

Thanking you all in advance.

Paul

Re: Help Please: 10 Group Roadstead - June 15th 1943
 

Hi Paul,

Here is what I have for this date. Not much, but better than nothing.

Stephen

15 June 1943
GENERAL SUMMARY: Attacks on the railway marshalling yards at LE MANS, with a divisionary attack on the aerodrome at BERNAY St. MARTIN by FLYING FORTRESSES of the U.S.A.A.C., escorted and supported by 3 WINGS of THUNDERBOLTS and 10 Squadrons of SPITFIRES, were rendered abortive due to unsuitable weather conditions. According to R.D.F., there was a hostile reaction of about 18 enemy aircraft from the EVROUX area to the main force, while the diversion evoked a slight reaction of about 12 enemy aircraft from the AMIENS/POX area. The main force was recalled over the CHANNEL and the diversionary force was recalled in MID-CHANNEL, together with the first fighter cover. Second and third fighter cover, first and second high cover, however, continued on, making uneventful sweeps over the FRENCH Coast, save for KENLEY WING, as second high cover, which engaged 2 formations of 15 enemy aircraft. As a result combats, 403 (R.C.A.F.) Squadron destroyed 1 Fw.190, probably destroyed another and damaged a third. W/C J.E. Johnson, W/C Flying, KENLEY WING, destroyed 2 Fw.190s. No losses were sustained. Some small scale offensive operations were also undertaken, in the course of one of which 2 mine-sweepers were damaged in the CHANNEL ISLANDS area. A WHIRLWIND bomber and pilot of 263 Squadron, a SPITFIRE and pilot of 616 Squadron are missing from this operation. Enemy activity was on a small scale. No enemy aircraft flew over this country.

SUMMARY OF R.C.A.F. UNIT OPERATIONS

No.10 GROUP: Four MUSTANGS of 414 (R.C.A.F.) Squadron left PREDANNACK at 0905 hours to escort 4 MOSQUITOS II of 264 Squadron on patrol against enemy aircraft operating S.W. of BREST. One MUSTANG I and it’s pilot, P/O R.W. POTTS, are missing* (not due to enemy action). Reason unknown. Eight SPITFIRES V (L.R.) of 412 (R.C.A.F.) Squadron left PERRANPORTH at 1159 hours to escort 8 MOSQUITOS of 25, 151, 167 and 307 Squadrons, on patrol against enemy aircraft operating S.W. of BREST. These patrols were without incident. Three MUSTANGS I of 414 (R.C.A.F.) Squadron provided return cover for 4 MOSQUITOS of 264 Squadron, patrolling S.W. of BREST of 1505 hours. There were no incidents.

No.11 GROUP: RAMROD 95 – 23 SPITFIRES IX of 403 and 421 (R.C.A.F.) Squadrons left KENLEY at 0745 hours to act as second high cover to divisionary attack on BERNAY St. MARTIN aerodrome, led W/C J.E. Johnson. At the rendezvous point, FECAMP, no bombers appeared, having been recalled in MID-CHANNEL, and the WING was instructed by CONTROLLER to proceed free lance. Upon reaching 29,000 ft., cover YVETOT a number of enemy aircraft were seen climbing from the ROUEN area. Two formations of 15 Fw.190s, flying line abreast towards coast in YVETOT area 2,000 ft., below the WING height (24,000 ft.), were attacked. W/C JOHNSON shooting down 2 Fw.190s; S/L H.C. GODEFROY, C.O. of 403, destroyed another; F/L H.D. MacDONALD, DFC., probably destroyed a fourth, while F/O A. Bowen, D.F.C., damaged a fifth Fw.190. There were no losses.

Re: Help Please: 10 Group Roadstead - June 15th 1943
 

Thanks for that Stephen. What was the source of your information please?

Paul

Re: Help Please: 10 Group Roadstead - June 15th 1943
 

Hi Paul,
Source – that’s a good question. To sum up, a culmination of a lot of work over a long period of time...too much time as a matter of fact.
Stephen

Re: Help Please: 10 Group Roadstead - June 15th 1943
 

Thanks Stephen.

Paul

Re: Help Please: 10 Group Roadstead - June 15th 1943
 

Hi Folks

Just a quick bump to see if anyone might have copies/scans of the ORBs etc for 616 and 504 Squadrons for this operation. Any help would be much appreciated.

Paul

Re: Help Please: 10 Group Roadstead - June 15th 1943
 

Should be easily downloadable at a small price from NA:


http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/h...oks-1939-1945/

Re: Help Please: 10 Group Roadstead - June 15th 1943
 

You can use the Preview available from the British Archives to see what is interesting you. Follow the guide provided by Dennis Burke:
http://www.ww2irishaviation.com/TNA_...guidelines.pdf

Works well for 616 Sqn on your date, giving some details on the lost Spitfire (but 541 has no serials). I have not tested for 504 Sqn.

Re: Help Please: 10 Group Roadstead - June 15th 1943
 

Chris & Laurent - thank you both for your replies - I hadn't realised how much easier accessing the NA had become! It has been several years since I last looked.

Paul

Re: Help Please: 10 Group Roadstead - June 15th 1943
 

OK - Have perused the preview files at the NA's for AIR 27s (540s) for 504 and 616 Squadrons - but where are the 541s? The files that list aircraft used etc. Am I missing something, or have these not been scanned?