Loss of Beaufighter - V8264

[Andy Saunders]

On 17 Jan 1943 Beaufighter V8264 of 141 Squadron was shot down by "friendly fire". Both crew baled out safely.

The ORB states the aircraft to have been shot down by British AA fire. This is also stated in the local Police report, and also by a reliable local witness.

In "Scramble!" (Bob Braham) it is suggested the culprit was another Beaufighter, with the finger pointed at 29 Squadron.

It is easy to put a name to the possible culprit if that was the case, but can anyone throw any light (one way or another) on a definitive cause of this loss?

[Andy Saunders]

Brian?

[Observer1940]

Hello Andy

I'm afraid it is not Brian.

However, David J. Smith's research Log of crashes states:-

17/1/43 Unit/Sqn "141 V8264 Nr. Hastings, Sussex. Hit by "friendly" A.A. fire. Crew baled out."

By the way, I have heard about your involvement with the identification of the missing Pilot and the discovery of his resting place. I realise that this would mean so much for his family to get hold of any information about their missing relative! I hope those being awkward in one French area, shall we say, will eventually co-operate, whilst there may still be chances to identify more missing Pilots and Aircrew!

Thank you to you, your team and those who assisted and allowed you (on both sides of the Channel) to conduct the investigation.

Regards Mark