DH Rapide on 21.06.40

[robert]

Hi,
on 21.06.40 some German pilots from 3/JG51 claimed a DH Rapide shot down (north of Texel). Anybody knows details of this accident?

TIA


Robert

[Hans Nauta]

Hi Robert,

In fact these "DH Rapides" were Fairey Albacores of 826 Squadron. 6 Albacores were send out to attack a convoiy, sighted earlier near the Dutch Frisian Islands. This convoy wasn´t found and as alternative target the harbour of Den Helder and airfield De Kooy were attacked. However, 9 Hudsons of 206 Squadron did exactly the same just a half an hour eralier, so the German defences were alerted. The Albacores were attacked by Bf.109´s of 3./JG51 and 3./JG76 and two (L7081 and L7089) were shot down at Texel. A third one (L7111) was damaged.

This is just a short extraction of one of my research topics.

Kind regards,
Hans Nauta

[robert]

Hi Hans,

thanks a lot for the infos. I am researching now the German claims from Battle of France period so I have some accident to ask.

Regards

Robert