Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim O.
Thank you very much Martin.
Following up on these Italian claims, I think they seem a more likely aggressor than a BF 109. It seems that the Italian claims were recorded just north of Turin and 35 km north of Turin. This 35 SQN crew say they were SSW of Turin when they were attacked but I realise that many of these types of records conflict. The British crew mention 'red tracer', does this tell us anything about the possible nationality of the fighter? I gather the RE 2001 was armed with cannon so could have caused the damage seen on HR862 TL-X once it returned.
I note that Halifax HR880 TL-K of 35 SQN was indeed shot down this night (although some Italian records show it as a B-24 Liberator?). Four of the crew were recovered from the wreckage and three were identified, confirming the crashed aircraft was HR880.
Like many of these incidents, I suspect we may never get to a definitive answer.
Thanks for the help.
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Yes, the night fighter version of Re 2001, Re 2001 CN, had two 20 mm cannon installed in two underwing gun gondolas. Also Italian 12.7 mm mgs, all Re 2001s had two of these, had effective HE rounds which could produce damages that might be thought to be produced by 20 mm shells.