Lost Blenheim-9/8/41?
 

Hello all.

Has anyone any information on the following Luftwaffe claim:

9th August 1941. Fw.Helmut Baudach 1./JG2. Blenheim. Pl.Qu.40/6/8 10m 17.18 (Approx 25 miles SW of Guernsey).

I have been unable to discover any info on this Blenheim (if in fact it was a Blenheim!). Anyone know the Squadron/crew details?

Thanks....Steve.

Re: Lost Blenheim-9/8/41?
 

Steve,

At the moment all I can come up with is the following for 10th August 1941.

Blenheim IV. Z7280
226 Squadron
Shot down into Channel by Me109s while attacking shipping; Sgt. J. Osborne RCAF, Sgt. K. McManus RCAF and Sgt. W. Roberts, KIA.

Blenheim IV. V5854
226 Squadron
Shot down off Holland leading attack on shipping; S/L. M. Waddington, F/S. I. Forsyth and F/S. D. Palmer KIA.

'The Bristol Blenheim a Complete History' Graham Warner.

Regards
Peter.

Re: Lost Blenheim-9/8/41?
 

Hello Steve,

For 09/08/1941:

Blenheim IV , Z6178 EE-?, 404 (RCAF) Squadron. Training mission.
Sgt R.K. McKay - safe
Took off from Skitten for single engine circuit and landing practice. Bounced on landing and engine cut caused the Blenheim to swing begfore the u/c collapsed. the aircraft was considered to have been damaged beyond repair.

Source: Ross McNeill, RAF Combat Command Losses, Vol 1

Clearly not the plane you're looking for, but it's the only Blenheim Coastal Command lost on this day. On the 10th it lost two Hudsons; one was lost by flak from German 6th Minesweeper Flottilla, north of Borkum; the other was lost on a training mission, west of Dunino, Fife (Scotland).

Regards,

Bart

Re: Lost Blenheim-9/8/41?
 

I looked at this quite recently when I put together my book "Bader's Last Fight" which covers the air actions of 9 August 1941. My notes are not to hand, but I know I discounted a Blenheim. Have a sneaking idea that I thought it may have been a Beaufort...but I may have imagined that!!

Re: Lost Blenheim-9/8/41?
 

Thanks so far.

I thought about Beauforts but apart from the above mentioned Blenheim of 404 Sqn. there are no other Coastal Command losses for that day! Bomber Command War Diaries only op for that day is a Circus, by Blenheims, to Gosnay power station well away from Brittany. Were there any Coastal Command ops to this area on this date? Or is this a spurious claim?

Steve.

Re: Lost Blenheim-9/8/41?
 

Beauforts B, G &M of 22 Sqn report being attacked by a Bf 109 F at 1705 hrs near Lannion and one ac was damaged-looks like this is your match

Re: Lost Blenheim-9/8/41?
 

Thank you very much Chris, that sounds just right! Another aircraft to strike off my list.

Steve.