[Steve Brew]

I am trying to make sense of 41 and 603 Squadrons' claims on 17 November 1940, when they intercepted the Luftwaffe's first raid of the day over the Thames Estuary. I understand they inercepted JG54, but John Foreman, in his 'Battle of Britain; The Forgotten Months' states that despite 603 Squadron's claims of 3-1-0 and 41's of 5-0-1, only two Luftwaffe pilots of 5/JG54 failed to return, whilst one force-landed out of fuel at Ostend.

Are these really the only losses attributed to this day's first battle? I'm fighting with the fact that I have 41 Squadron's Combat Reports, in which each pilot states he saw his opponent hit the water. The implication of only two Luftwaffe pilots failing to return is that several pilots lied blatantly.

Whilst I understand some pilots stretched the truth at times, and many a pilot was hopeful his victory was definite or at least probable if he could not see the final result, an aircraft hitting the water is pretty clear cut.

Does anyone have any other losses in Luftwaffe units that may be attributable to 41 and/or 603 Squadron, please? Their combats took place over the outer Thames Estuary just after 09:00 and the units were back on the ground at Hornchurch at 09:30.

Any help or guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks
Steve