Vickers Warwick BV386

[andy bird]

Have the story of the crew being shot down by Me. 410's on 7th October 1944 and there subsequent rescue. After search for the ditched Beaufighter of 489 Sqn.

But cannot find which Grp the 410's where from?

Any help appreciated.

Kind Regards

Andy Bird

[Laurent Rizzotti]

This is probably this claim:

07.10.44 Oblt. Langer Seenotgr. 80 Wellington £ 6411: 100 m. 13.00 Film C. 2027/II Anerk: Nr. -

Seenotgruppe 80 was equipped with Me 410s, and AFAIK no Wellington was shot down this day.

[andy bird]

Hi Laurent,

Many Thanks for the info, very useful.

Cheers

Andy

[Col Bruggy]

Hello,

Warwick BV386 S.O.C. 15/1/1947 !

Warwick I BV290 - 280 Sqn. - Missing on ASR search over North Sea, presumed shot down by Me 410s, 8/10/1944.

A-B BA100 to BZ999 p.120

Col.

[andy bird]

Col Bruggy,

Opps . . . Mr Pitchfork got that one wrong . . .


Cheers

Andy Bird

[Col Bruggy]

Hello Andy,

Apologies, neglected to mention:-

Warwick I BV368 - 280 Sqn. - Missing on ASR search over North Sea. Presumed shot down by Me 410s, 8/10/1944.

Same ref.

It looks as if the crew of BV368 were rescued, and the crew of BV290 were lost.

Crew - BV290 (Alpha order):

1600090 Sgt Percy Arthur ALGER RAFVR +
1577581 Sgt Kenneth Stanley COX RAFVR +
1800178 Sgt Stanley Arthur CRACKNELL RAFVR +
1394986 Sgt Leonard FINCH RAFVR +
133951 F/O Albert MASON RAFVR +
154783 F/O Colin John SWANN RAFVR +

All commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

No.280 Sqn losses, matched by the following claims:

8/10/1944 - Oblt. Langer - Seenotgr.80 - Wellington - 6467:100m
8/10/1944 - Fhj.Fw. Wehrmann - Seenotgr.80 - Wellington - 6413: 500m

Col.

[Laurent Rizzotti]

With three Warwicks lost in two days to German fighters, I guess this prompted some debate in the RAF. Has anyone a trace in ORBs of tactic changes or demands for escort to deal with the new threat (Me 410s of Seenotgruppe 80) ?

As far as I know this unit claimed no more victory after 8 October 1944. The only other victory I have for the unit is a Halifax claimed at 1205 hrs on 29 September 1944 E of the Kattegat at 50 m, again by Oblt Langer.

[Juha]

Interesting
LW's ASR planes shooting down RAF's ASR planes.

Juha

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Originally Posted by Juha

Interesting
LW's ASR planes shooting down RAF's ASR planes.

Juha

Actually, the Me 410s were belonging to the "Such-und-Schutzstaffel " of Seenotgruppe 80, literraly "search and protection squadron". AFAIK, it was equipped with Me 410s and was tasked with searching men shot down at sea and then protect floatplanes that will do the rescue.

A similar unit existed in Italy, Seenotgruppe 20, and was equipped with Fw 190s.

[Juha]

Hello Laurent
yes, I knew that but clearly planes of ASR units and even the designation of the 410 sub-unit begins Such-

And not unique, IIRC there were at least a couple combats between planes on ASR missions already in late 40.

Juha