RAF over Austria 1944...
 

Looking for information on RAF Bomber activity over Austria around May 1944 to identify found parts possibly from a Wellington....

Thanks in advance,

Paul

Re: RAF over Austria 1944...
 

Hi Paul!
Check this site (in German):

http://www.airpower.at/news03/0813_l...k/timeline.htm

Here a part of the chronology:

"Mai 1944
In vier Nächten warf die 205 Group RAF insgesamt 364 Minen in die Donau und brachte den Schiffsverkehr nahezu zum erliegen - die Donauschiffahrt erlitt einen Schiffsverlust pro 5 verlegten Minen!"

Re: RAF over Austria 1944...
 

No 142 Sqdn lost one Wellington, LN318, on 29/30 May 1944, the only loss I can find for Austria in May 1944. According to Tony Wood's list, 6./NJG 101 claimed one Wellington the very same night near Sankt Polten. I didn't check a timeline of 205 Group attack, but if the place of claim is any match to your findings, it might be start for your research.

Re: RAF over Austria 1944...
 

Yves & Schenck,

Many thanks !

Paul

Re: RAF over Austria 1944...
 

I'm the one who found the parts of probably this Wellington south of St.Pölten.
Question @ Schenck: Is LN318 the serial number of that plane?

I'm looking now for any further information about that Squadron/Wellington as well as the plane which shot it down. Maybe someone has pictures?

Thanks for any help.

Kurtl

Re: RAF over Austria 1944...
 

Yes, it is the serial. Could you tell me which part of Austria you found parts in? If it is close to Vienna it might be the aircraft you are looking for. I know of two crew members at least, who were taken POW near Vienna - I didn't check all five - one of them obviously managed stay on the run for a day and was 'betrayed' by some people 30 km south of Vienna and caught by Gestapo.

Re: RAF over Austria 1944...
 

I found the parts approximatly 10 miles SSE of St.Pölten (almost in the middle of Lower Austria if you have a map). This town is close to Vienna. Local history said that it was a russian plane which crashed there but we found british 0.303 ammunition and some parts which definitely look like Wellington (geodetic system). We found one witness who saw and heard the crash. The plane crashed next to her house, one engine was in her garden! She made some dresses out of the parachutes.
Local history writes about at least one dead body and 3 machine guns. I read that the Welington bomber had 6 crewmembers. Could you tell me more details?

Thanks,

Kurtl

Re: RAF over Austria 1944...
 

Listed ?? May, 1944 no area given www.luftwaffe.cz/erichsen.html entry 3 Kind regards Ross

Re: RAF over Austria 1944...
 

Hi Paul,

well, not in May, but some lost Wellingtons in Austria:

Wimpy X., MF138 'E' 70. Sq. July 6/7, W/O. R. B. Fegg, RAAF, buried in Klagenfurt
MF350 'EP-A' 104. Sq., Aug 20/21, F/S. H.J.Potter, buried in Klagenfrurt,
LP245 'QT-R' 142. Sq., Aug 20/21, K.A.Kelly (SAAF), buried in Klagenfurt,
LP505 'JN-G' 150. Sq. Aug 20/21. F/S. E.B.Davies, buried in Klagenfurt.

Cheers,

Gabor