[alex crawford]

Hi,

Just to add to the confusion. According to the 263 Sqn ORB summary for 1941 P/O Stein's probable Ju88 was upgraded to destroyed to make this the first victory for the squadron's Whirlwinds. Steins combat reported states that the Ju88 was initially claimed as damaged. So you have three posibilities for this Ju88, damaged/probable/destroyed.

Can the Ju88 be matched up with any that were in the area at the time?

On 5th August Sqn Ldr Donaldson and Sgt Holmes, both from 263 Sqn, attacked Maupertus airfiedl. Here they claimed 1 Ju87 destroyed with two more and two Bf109s damaged. The next day the squadron returned to Maupertus. Plt Off C P Rudland claimed one Ju87 destroyed on the ground and one Bf109 that was on its take off run. Two Ju87s were claimed destroyed on the ground, while two more plus 2 Bf109s were claimed as damaged.

The ORB mentioned that the Ju87s were lined up in a row and "may have been decoys".

During a later mission Rudland claimed another Bf109 as did Sgt Brackley. Sqn Ldr Donaldson claimed a third as damaged.

On 26th August 263 Sqn attacked Lannion airfield and claimed 5 Ju88s destroyed on the ground. From a search on the 'net I found a previous discussion thread which stated actuall losses were 1 Do217E destroyed with 1 Do17M and 3 Ju88A-5s as damaged. Spitfires from 66 Squadron were escorting the Whirlwinds and also fired on the aircraft.

So apart from the Lannion airfield claims, which have been identified can any other claims be matched to Luftwaffe losses?

Alex