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Originally Posted by robert
Hi,
does anybody know the losses of Sea Hurricanes (probbaly 801,880 or 885 FAA) during the Luftwaffe attack on morning of 12.08.42 on "Pedestal"convoy? The pilots of 1/JG77 claimed at least 4 Hurricanes (09.05-09.15).
Regards
Robert
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The best reference to the Pedestal combats is Malta: The Spitfire Year 1942 by Chris Shores, Brian Cull and Nicola Malizia. They make no specific mention of JG 77 but there are references to anonymous Axis fighters during the morning interception of LG 1's Ju 88s.
800 Sq's White 1, Lt Martyn (V7416) was hit in the engine by return fire from the Ju 88s but force-landed on Indomitable. White 3, M, Sub Lt. Roberts, thought he had been shot down by a fighter but the authors suggest return fire from the bombers. Sub Lt Thomson's Red 4 was hit by a cannon shell or heavy machine gun bullet whilst attacking the bombers, which shot way part of the cowling, but he returned safely to the carrier (the a/c is also reported as being V7416!)
880 Sq's Blue Section did not see any fighters or suffer any losses.
880's Black Section did not engage at this time
885's three Sea Hurricanes were attacked by fighters, no.2 Sub Lt. Long, was damaged but evaded and continued to attack the bombers. No 3, Sub Lt Hankey, failed to return.
It seems as though JG 77 managed to hit the Sea Hurricanes as they attacked the bombers but only achieved perhaps two kills and up to three damaged. In return six bombers were shot down (out of eight claimed) although one could be due to AA fire.