May 9 1941, 604 Sqn shooting down of a 600 Sqn Beaufighter
 

On May 9th 1941 Flt/lt Robert Woodward and his A I operator Sgt Alfred Lipscombe, of 600 Sqn based at Colerne were lucky to survive when a Beaufighter from 604 squadron at Middle Wallop mistook their aircraft for an enemy bomber. In the murk and darkness the 604Sqn pilot F/O Chisholm mistakenly thought the silhouette of the 600 Sqn Beaufighter was hostile, possibly a JU88. Woodward managed to keep control of the burning aircraft while Lipscombe baled out, Woodward following close behind his AI operator. According to my records their aircraft T4641 crashed close to Warwick.

During the days that followed relations between the two squadrons were icy. In the Officers Mess the airmen of 600 Sqn suggested a number of courses of action to take as retribution against their assailants, none of which were ever carried out. The 600 Sqn ORB entry for the incident records sarcastically that “Sgt Lipscombe recognised their attacker as a Beaufighter, It is a pity that the 604 Sqn pilot did not do the same”

I would be interest to know if anyone has any further information on this incident, possible a corresponding entry from the 604 Sqn ORB, and maybe Chisholms full name and that of his A I Operator. Also does anyone know if T4641's crash site has ever been located and investigated ???

I know this is a long shot, but you just never know who or what is going to turn up.

Re: May 9 1941, 604 Sqn shooting down of a 600 Sqn Beaufighter
 

Ian
This is none other than the famous Roderick Chisholm author of Cover of Darkness and final rank Air Commodore At the time of this incident he had six victories. Final score: 9-1-1

His AI may possibly have been Sgt W.G. Ripley at this time

Woodward later scored three victores but was killed in 1942. Lipscombe was killed during another bailout when Woodward entered a spin from which he could not recover.

The place where T4641 came down has both been reported as near Warwick and Plymouth. The crash is also stated to have happened on the 10th. Was it before or after midnight??

B Rgds
Stig

Re: May 9 1941, 604 Sqn shooting down of a 600 Sqn Beaufighter
 

Thanks Stig,

I've tracked down a copy of the book and ordered it.

Though Woodward was credited with 3, and awarded the DFC as a result, in fact he only shot down 2, the third possiblt flown by one Hans-Georg Bätcher, actually made it back to France, though badly damaged.

Re: May 9 1941, 604 Sqn shooting down of a 600 Sqn Beaufighter
 

It was Fg Off R A Chisholm/Sgt W G Ripley. Another one for Brian Cull's list. I have the incident as being near Warwick 9-10 May 41

Re: May 9 1941, 604 Sqn shooting down of a 600 Sqn Beaufighter
 

I think there are files of court of inquiry for this case at NA.

Re: May 9 1941, 604 Sqn shooting down of a 600 Sqn Beaufighter
 

Roderick Chisholm describes this incident in his book "Cover of darkness," on pages 80 to 85.