Victory claims - fighter interception unit
 

Can anyone please help with a list of claims (excluding V1's) made by the following units:

• FIU (Fighter Interception Unit)
• BSDU (Bomber Support Development Unit)
• FIDS (Fighter Interception Development Squadron)
• FEF (Fighter Experimental Flight)

Chris Shores notes the FIU made 21 claims (plus 86.5 V1's), the BSDU claimed 4, the FIDS claimed 2 and the FEF claimed a further 8.

I am after details (ie: dates, claim type, crew names, aircraft flown, serial etc) for these claims.

Can anyone help or point me in the right direction, in particular on the night of the 7/8 July the FIU claimed a Ju88 over Normandy, the details of the crew who claimed this aircraft would be great.

Thanks
Leal

Re: Victory claims - fighter interception unit
 

I have all air & ground kills for FIU between 14 Jun 44 & 25 Apr 45 by crew and type, air & ground

Re: Victory claims - fighter interception unit
 

Chris, thanks for your prompt reply. Can you provide that data at all or at least provide details for the claim made by the FIU on the 7/8 July. Please advise. Regards Leal.

Re: Victory claims - fighter interception unit
 

Leal: There would be quite a bit to list but for 7-8 Jul 44 I have Flt Lt Howard Williams/Fg Off McCrae claiming a Ju 88 and Lt Twiss/Fg Off Laice a Ju 88 at Melun. I have the report of the former having identified the Ju 88 (and have a photo of its tail) whilst I believe I have identified Twiss' kill

Re: Victory claims - fighter interception unit
 

Chris, thanks for clearing that up. Can I just ask one question, was Twiss's claim the 8th July or the 8th August?

I'm working on a list of Mosquito claims for the war using John Foreman's Fighter Command War Diaries as a base (for something to do). He notes that the FIU only got one on the 7/8 July and Chris Shores in "Those Other Eagles" indicates that Twiss got Ju88's on the 18th June and the 8th August.

Sorry to be a pain, just want to confirm, just in case these sources are incorrect.

What's on the drawing board in the book department from you?

Many thanks for your help.

Regards
Leal Kerr

Re: Victory claims - fighter interception unit
 

Oops-more haste less speed. Twiss' kill was 7-8 Aug not Jul. If you are doing this for Mossies, presume you have used Sharp & Bowyer's Mosquito book as a starting point?

My book on night fighter-bomber missions is being set as I write-due out in April I think. I have a number of other contracts but in all honesty, the effort of writing books is not worth the return so I am concentrating on articles. However, I expect to be writing something book-wise on the Luftwafe in the Blitz in the next year or so

Re: Victory claims - fighter interception unit
 

Chris, thanks for that confirmation. I can understand the economic and psychological effects book writing may have on one's self. However whatever direction you go I will enjoy any article or book that you write in the future.

Regards
Leal Kerr