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Re: 11 Oct 40-who shot something down.
Chris,
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Where to begin with these actions ! The Combat Report for F/Lt. Leather in 'BEWARE, BEWARE' (The History of 611 Squadron) notes he claimed two Do 17s (shared with F/O Pollard and P/O Sutton). In his report he details one crashed about 10 miles south of Caernarfon and the other crashed near Ca
pel Curig. If so that would mean 611 Squadron claimed 4 destroyed. However the claims list at the end of the book shows only one destroyed against his name and no probable or damaged.
Using several publications it seems 611 Squadron claimed;
3 (4) destroyed and one probable. No claims for damaged aircraft.
One Destroyed by Watkins & Williams ('7T+EK' ?) 50 miles SW of Holyhead.
One Destroyed by Angus & Pattison ('7T+HH' ? ) Into Liverpool Bay.
One or two Destroyed by Leather, Pollard & Sutton. S of Caernarfon & Capel Curig.
One Probable by Heath ('7T+EH') Over Hoylake/River Dee/Flint/Denbigh.
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Several questions arise here.
From the crew of '7T+EH' where was Starf taken prisoner and where was the body of Johannsen found ?
Were any wrecks found at the locations S of Caernarfon and at Capel Curig ?
From what wreck (Do 215 (sic), North Wales) did the famous scoreboard of 611 Squadron come from ?
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Can I add further to the confusion !
In published works that I have seen there are two more losses for KuFlGr 606.
9 October 1940 Do 17Z-3 2771, 7T+HL. Lost, all 4 crew killed.
10 October 1940 Do 17Z-33618, 7T+KL. Returned to Brest, 15% damaged.
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However the notes I took at the IWM in 1990 and 1996 from the Luftwaffe QM Gen. Loss Returns indicate these two were lost on the 11th. All these 5 losses were filed on the 13th (for the 11th). It could be simple date errors or a consolidated report from the unit. However are there casualty reports on the German or British side to confirm the date of loss of 'HL and 'KL ?
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Regards,
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Martin.
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