[harryurz]

Hi Johannes,


Thanks for your comments.

From an initial idle thought I had when re-reading "Scamble" it has become a fascinating exercise to try and piece together a pilot's career from 80 years ago!
I was intrerested to read Spreckels' own words in the book introduction, especially regarding the 26 June 1944 downing of Braham as his 'third Mosquito.'

Looking further though the JG 11 claim listings there is indeed a uncredited Mosquito claim by 10 staffel;


12.05.44 N.N. 10./JG 11 Mosquito  - - Reference: JG 11 List f. 1208



This also matches with Braham's brush with fighters on this day. Braham/Gregory flew an 'Intruder' to the Skagerrat in a borrowed 107 sqdn Mosquito.

He sighted a 190 near Herning and chased it, but was in turn chased by a 109, which holed his fuel lines, before disappearing from view. Braham fired from a range of about 100 yards, knocking off the e/a's starboard elevator as well as parts from the cockpit. The engine caught fire, the e/a reared up and stalled, and after almost colliding with with the Mosquito, crashed about 10 miles from Aalborg. The tail section was seen by F/L Gregory to disintegrate and reported the Fw 190 crashed into a river bank. Over the North Sea due to the fuel damage he ran out of fuel 70 miles from Cromer and ditched near a convoy of three trawlers and was picked up (at 14:15 hrs) . 107 Sqn, based at Lasham, lost FB.VI NS885 "OM-B" missing on that date. (Air 25/40. Ops. Order from 2 Group HQ, 12. May 1944, issued by F/Lt. Riseley confirms.)

If indeed Spreckels did claim not two but three Mosquitoes, then there is a intriguing possibility is he may have shot Bob Braham down twice?



Comments anyone?