10/11 September 1941:real identity of Blenheims
 

Hello

10/11 September 1941
In Malta:the Hurricane Years 1940-41,that story(p.292)

During the attack of merchant vessels (between Pantelleria and Lampedusa),three of eight 105° Sqd Blenheims were shot down by three Macchi MC200 and three Fiat CR42 (23° Gruppo CT).
Z7357
Z7423
Z7504

Except that " in History of the Mediterranean Air War" vol.1(p.500),the story is different: SHOT DOWN BY AA and serials differents
Z750 "G" (107 ° Sqd)
Z9603 "F" (107° Sqd)
Z7357 "U" (105° Sqd)

Questions:
1) What is the real identity of the lost Blenheims?
2) Shot down by AA or by 23°Gruppo,(and if yes,who were the Italian's claimants)?

Thanks in advance
michel

Re: 10/11 September 1941:real identity of Blenheims
 

Hi Michel

Action 12 September 1941

105 Sqn

Z7357/U (Sgt Brandwood & crew, rescued)
Z9606/V (F/Sgt Bendall & crew) belly-landed on return

107 Sqn

Z7504/G S/Ldr Charney & crew - all killed
Z9603/F Sgt Mortimer & crew - all killed

All victims of ships' gunfire (Mc200s seen but no engagements)

NB: Z7423/H was lost on 22 September (finger trouble, original notes!)

Cheers
Brian (one of guilty ones!)

Re: 10/11 September 1941:real identity of Blenheims
 

OK Brian,it's marked and corrected.

Thank's
michel

Re: 10/11 September 1941:real identity of Blenheims
 

Battle-axe Blenheims: No.105 Squadron RAF at War, 1940-41 by Stuart R. Scott has

Z9603:F S/L Charney, Sgts Porteous & Harris
Z7504:G Sgts Mortimer & Reid, F/O Owen

Z7367:L Sgts Brandwood, Miller & Mee

The next day in the afternoon S/L Smithers is recorded as leading a search mission in Z7357:U.
Z7357:U with S/L Smithers is recorded as damaged by AAA on the afternoon of the 17 September.
On 20 September V6014:S, Sgt Williams collided on ground with Z7357:U, S/L Smithers.

Re: 10/11 September 1941:real identity of Blenheims
 

Udf

It seems Stuart Scott is the only one to subscribe to that version.

When checking the Blenheim 'bible' by Graham Warner he gives exactly the same details as Brian (and Gunby/Temple in their Bomber losses in the ME and Med) does. However he adds that:
Z7367 was damaged in the same raid, also by flak but returned to base only to be destroyed by bombing while still under repair 8.10.1941.
That info also fits the record card used by J J Halley when producing his X1000 - Z9999 monograph for Air Britain.

Cheers
Stig