[tcolvin]

This subject is well known through reports from the participants, but new information from Germany still comes to light that can change our understanding based on British sources. For example Crolick, research in Germany has now established that it was Lightoller and not Emden who damaged the cruiser Emden, which in any case was almost certainly not his target because ships in harbour could not be attacked out of fear of injuring civilians. A German book is in preparation that will revise books like Shores' Fledgling Eagles, but only in their detail.


If, however, Mark's German newspaper does reveal new information about the shooting down of a Blenheim on September 2, 1939 over Duisberg, then more than just detail is involved. The RAF was prohibited from over flying either Germany or neutral Benelux, and the RAF was a disciplined force.



Two Blenheim squadrons, 18 and 57 in 70 Wing, were tasked with PR for the BEF Air Component and were stationed in France. If the German newspaper article is credible, then perhaps the ORBs of these two squadrons might be a first place to look for any unauthorised flights.


PR for Bomber Command was provided by 2 Group's 21 Sqn, 82 Sqn, 107 Sqn and 139 Sqn. It is believed their first flight over German air space was on September 3 in the famous mission to Wilhelmshaven. Since SIS was providing PR coverage of Wilhelmshaven and Brunsbuettel, then Bomber Command lacked even a motive to send their Blenheims.


Winterbotham of the SIS, Cotton, Niven and Longbottom spied on Germany and Italy with two Lockheed Electras and a Beechcraft Staggerwing from April, 1939. All these flights are recorded, beginning on April 1, 1939 over Mannheim under the direction of the Deuxieme Bureau out of Toussous-le-Noble.



PR under SIS direction began on June 14, 1939 out of Malta, and from July 28 out of Heston with Cotton's famous visit to the Frankfurt Air Show. Cotton's last recce was on August 28, 1939 over Wilhelmshaven.



Franek's mention of incursions behind the Iron Curtain must refer to McPhail's flights in a Lockheed Electra from Habbaniya to Baku and Batum starting on March 23, 1940. Copies of his photos and RAF plans for bombing the Russian oil fields, which were shared with the Deuxieme Bureau, were found by the Germans when they occupied Paris. Hitler referred to them in a speech to the Reichstag on July 20, 1940.


No flights behind the Iron Curtain prior to McPhail's are known about. But if Franek is referring to information about earlier incursions perhaps from Russian sources, then history will need re-writing.


But the consensus is that we shouldn't hold our breath.



Tony