Baltimore Loss 10 Jul 43
 

Two Beaufighters of 252 Sqn escorted a Baltimore to attack an E-boat at 35.012N 23.041E between 1100 and 1500 hrs. They encountered intense Flak which set the Baltimore alight, one crew was seen to bale out and the ac plunged into the sea. I can only find the loss of AG793 of 223 Sqn that day but the location doesn't match-any ideas?

Re: Baltimore Loss 10 Jul 43
 

203 Sqn lost AG917 on 10th July 1943 - shot down by E-boats near Kastell Selinus, Sicily.

Regards,
Henk.

Re: Baltimore Loss 10 Jul 43
 

Henk: Thanks-do you have crew details?

Re: Baltimore Loss 10 Jul 43
 

From the ORB:
Pilot: LT Nottingham A.W (or possibly HW)
Nav: Sgt Donner W
WAG: Sgt Oldham AH
WAG: F/S Roberts AS

Regards, Peter

Re: Baltimore Loss 10 Jul 43
 

Chris,

Sat 10 July 1943
Mediterranean Air Command
Strike against E-boats at Kastelli Selinos, Crete.
203 Squadron, RAF (Berka III [Benghazi], Libya - 247 Wing, 201 Group, Middle East Air Command)

Baltimore III AG917 - took off at 1115 piloted by Lt H W Nottingham, SAAF, accompanied by two Beaufighters. Hit by flak during the strike, only the pilot succeeded in baling out before it plunged into the sea off Crete. His three crew are commemorated on the Alamein Memorial, while Nottingham, who was apparently injured or wounded, died in captivity three days later and is buried at Athens.

WOpAG: NZ403085 Wt Off Anthony Stuart ROBERTS, RNZAF - Age 25. 287hrs. 13th op.

See:
For Your Tomorrow:A Record of New Zealanders who have Died while Serving with the RNZAF and Allied Air Services since 1915. Volume Two: Fates 1943-1998.
Martyn,Errol W.
Christchurch:Volplane Press,1999.
p.118.

97291V Lt (Pilot) Hugh Williams NOTTINGHAM SAAF (+ 13-7-43)
1005342 Sgt (Nav.) Wilfred Bates DONNER RAFVR (+ 10-7-43)
1310873 F/Sgt (W.Op./Air Gnr.) Arthur Henry OLDHAM RAFVR (+ 10-7-43)
NZ403085 W/O (W.Op./Air Gnr.) Anthony Stuart ROBERTS RNZAF (+ 10-7-43)

Col.

Re: Baltimore Loss 10 Jul 43
 

Thanks Gentlemen. The Beaufighter crews saw the pilot bale out. I have 3 camera gun shots of the attack but nothing that shows the crash of this aircraft

Re: Baltimore Loss 10 Jul 43
 

Sorry Chris that I came up with the incorrect location......quoted from the latest edition of AA100-AZ999 ! Thanks to the correct serial Col turned us on the correct road.
Regards,
Henk.

Re: Baltimore Loss 10 Jul 43
 

This is very interesting!

My partner has a pupil at school who is researching a relative (Donner) who was killed in this incident and would be keen to see the camera gun shots, Chris!

Re: Baltimore Loss 10 Jul 43
 

Hi,


could be this account from KTB Kommandant der Seeverteidigung Kreta "the other view"?:

Regards


Darius

Re: Baltimore Loss 10 Jul 43
 

Andy-also have the F540 entry. Will send this morning