Sinking german torpedoboat TA-27
 

Hi.
Colleagues,
On the afternoon of June 9, 1944, a group of Allied fighter-bombers in Portoferraio harbor attacked and sank the German torpedo boat TA-27. The Germans report two raids - at 14.20 and 14.50.
Please help me find out which planes they were, how many there were and are there any details of the attack?

sergey

Re: Sinking german torpedoboat TA-27
 

Here is a start, search for TA.27 on the link:

https://www.world-war.co.uk/warloss_218germ.php

"TA.27 1944-06-09 1200"

"Damaged at Portoferrario, Elba (42-49N 10-20E) by USAAF air attack; capsized during the night of 9th/10th."

No mention of the unit(s) involved but apparently NOT the 332nd FG (Tuskegee Airmen) according to this next link, see pdf pages 23 and 24.

https://www.afhra.af.mil/Portals/16/...141119-026.pdf


Some sources say it was an RAF unit, so the search continues.

Re: Sinking german torpedoboat TA-27
 

According to the British Admiralty War Diary (on fold3), this attack was done by Tactical Air Force. No other details.

The 86th FG has war diairies online and was not involved (attacking only vehicles, no ships).

Nothing about the attack in the Schiffer's book on the 79th FG.

Re: Sinking german torpedoboat TA-27
 

It was the 57th FG (P-47s), see reports for June 9 here:

64th Squadron report: http://www.57thfightergroup.org/oper...64_3_jun44.pdf

"On our second mission (of the day), we bombed a destroyed(sic) (should be destroyer) in Porto Ferraio harbor. A direct hit was scored resulting with a blinding flash and a column of white smoke rolling to a height of 500 feet. Two more of our bombs scraped the side of the ship and it is believed that this enemy vessel is badly damaged."

65th Squadron Report: http://www.57thfightergroup.org/oper...65_5_jun44.pdf
"The third flight led by Lt Thomas dive-bombed and strafed a small destroyer spotted by Lt Andrus. Results a smoking, listing destroyer caused by three close hits on the starboard side."

The first attack may have been all 12 planes in the 64th squadron. (It is just not clear from the report.) The second attack appears to have been just four planes (of the twelve flying in the 65th squadron).

The 57th FG was part of the 87th Fighter Wing (57th, 79th and 86th FGs) which, in turn, was part of the XXII Tactical Air Command.

Re: Sinking german torpedoboat TA-27
 

RSwank.

Many thanks!