Hampdens destroyed Vaenga 27 September 1942
 

Hi guys

Another incident about which I can find very little, so help needed please!

On 27 September 1942, a number of RAF Hampdens (144/455RAAF Sqns) were destroyed (three?) or damaged (nine?) on the ground at Vaenga. Were there any personnel casualties?

I am endeavouring to establish time of raid (day or night) and by which German units. Any other details will be useful. Perhaps an account of the raid?

Cheers
Brian

Re: Hampdens destroyed Vaenga 27 September 1942
 

Looked in the section of the "Hampden File" dealing with the detachments to Russia and found no mention of this incident. Sorry

Re: Hampdens destroyed Vaenga 27 September 1942
 

Hello Brian
also nothing in the USSR in the Handley Page Hampden & hereford Crash Log 26.9. - 8.10.1942

Juha

Re: Hampdens destroyed Vaenga 27 September 1942
 

Hello again, Brian
I checked the reports of the FiAF liaisson officer at the LFl 5. According to him LFl 5 made six bombing attacks on Warlamowo I/Vajenka I/Vaenga (different names and different ways to write the name) airfield during September 1942. Three times by 15-20 Ju 88s and three times by 10 Bf 110s. The results were not good because of the extraordinary powerful AA of the Murmansk area which usually forced the bombers bomb from 6,000 m or higher. During one attack on the Warlamowo I the entire formation of 17 Ju 88s dropped their loads 700 m off the airfield.

Juha

Re: Hampdens destroyed Vaenga 27 September 1942
 

There were two raids, at 16.00 and 21.00. In the second attack, 455 Sqn had one a/c badly damaged (reduced to spares) and another six damaged but repairable. Casualties were restricted to one NCO injured.

For further details, refer to the 455 Sqn ORB.

Re: Hampdens destroyed Vaenga 27 September 1942
 

Thanks guys

We're making progress!

Cheers
Brian