|
Re: May 3, 1943 - Amsterdam power station raid - 487 Sqn Venturas wiped out - was there an earlier fighter sweep?
Hi Andrew,
it appears the issue was not with an earlier sweep, but the fighters assigned to cover the dual raids on Amsterdam (487 Sqn) and IJmuiden (107 Sqn).
Author Errol Martyn, in "For Your Tommorrow: A Record of New Zealanders who have Died while Serving with the RNZAF and Allied Air Services since 1915. Volume Two: Fates 1943-1998", writes:
"The Squadron [487, Rod] took off at 1643, one Ventura returning to base shortly afterwards due to a hatch cover coming loose. The remaining 11 proceeded to the target at low-level escorted by 35 Spitfires, with 31 more Spitfires acting as rear cover. Unfortunately, two further Spitfire squadrons, which were to act as target support, took off early and flew direct towards Amsterdam at 27,000 feet, helping to alert the defences well in advance of the attack."
Cheers
Rod
|