Cant Z.506 losses on Lake Bracciano, July 19th 1943?
 

Hello again

One final 14 Squadron query, if anyone can help.

I've managed to get hold of the two books 'Winged Promises' and 'Winged Crusaders' about 14 Squadron.

On July 19th 1943, Marauder FK142 'R' took off on a special weather recce flying up to Rome, crossing the coast at Anzio at low level, then returning back over Lake Bracciano. 'Winged Promises' on page 208 mentions that they found 'a number of Cant Z.506 seaplanes moored on Lake Bracciano. Turret and tail gunners sprayed them with gunfire, damaging several.'

'Winged Crusaders' records on page 264 that 'later recconnaissance reports showed that three of these aircraft had been destroyed.'

Oddly, the 14 Sqn ORB just records 'Nil sightings' for the mission.

Were any of the seaplanes destroyed, or just damaged?

Many thanks once again.

Simon

Re: Cant Z.506s on Lake Bracciano, July 19th 1943
 

Nothing in MAW 4 Simon

No listed claim(s) by 14Sq and no seaplane losses by the Italians.
252 Sq complicates things a bit since their Beaufighters claimed two Z.506 and one Z.501 destroyed
(+ three damaged) at Prevesa seaplane base, but again no losses recorded.

Strafing is tricky business and we can see again and again during the war a very clear overestimation
of such attacks.

Cheers
Stig

Re: Cant Z.506s on Lake Bracciano, July 19th 1943
 

Thanks for checking Stig, very much appreciated.


Regards

Simon