75 Sqn RAF in search for Hipper class cruiser 27 May 41

[phasselgren]

According to the ORB twelve Wellington of No.75 Squadron were detailed to carry out a daylight search for Hipper class cruiser on the 27 May 1941. The target was not located but “ a large number of enemy aircraft were encountered and attacks were made on our aircraft. No serious damage was sustained.”

From answers to a post on the “Allied and Soviet Air Forces section” I know that No.75 Squadron was searching for Prinz Eugen together with 40 other Wellingtons and 12 Stirlings. Prinz Eugen had separated from Bismarck and was on her way to France. Luftwaffe bomber and recce units were trying to support the German ships and it must have been these units that No.75 Squadron met.

I am interested in any information about aerial combats between Luftwaffe and RAF units during these operations.

Thanks in advance
Peter

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Hi, I finally found the time to check the magazine "Batailles Aériennes n° 35" (from 2006) that is about air activity in the West between 15 April and 17 June 1941.

On 27 May 1941 there were several missions by German bombers over the Ocean to help Bismarck. My source describes more precisely two missions by KG 54 (source: the KG 54 book by Radtke): 8 Ju 88 in the morning and 16 in the afternoon, but no contact with enemy ships or aircraft is described, only bad weather that hindered the afternoon operation.

No details on other units operations but there were only two losses of German bombers (or bomber-like) in the area:
_ the Ju 88 C-4 WNr 359 of I./NJG 2 was attacked near Lannion by mistake by a Bf 109: damage 50% and two crew wounded
_ the Ju 88 A-5 WNr 3314 of II./KG 1 force-landed near Herleville with 30% damage: no cause given in my source.

Hope this helps.

[phasselgren]

Thanks for thís information Laurent.
I hope I will be able to find more details about RAF BC during this day in the British Archives.

Peter