144 Squadron, 27 December 1943

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Hello, on this date 4 Beaufighters of 144 Sqn attacked a convoy off Norway under escort by 404 Sqn and according to my sources also shot down a Bv 138.

Can someone confirm the later and tell me who claimed the Bv 138 ? Any details on this shot down will be welcome.

Best regards

[Chris Goss]

1115 hrs off Egersund by Fg Off Harrison in M/144 Sqn. BV 138 1042 of 2/131. Ofw Johann Mahr, Lt Heinz Weber, Uffz Paul Lederer, Fw Henrich Riesmeier, Uffz Alexander Keller in PlQ 05/5933

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Thanks Chris

[andy bird]

Can also add:

Six 404 Beaufighters provided escort to four 144 Squadron aircraft on a Rover Patrol from Stavanger to Egers area.

A convoy of four merchants and three escort vessels was sighted and attacked. All of the ships were claimed as damaged with cannon fire and rockets with the largest trailing smoke rising to 500 feet. Post war records have only identified one vessel; the German Auxiliary Whaler V-5301 Seeteufel of 541 tons as having been damaged by rockets.

Three of the aircraft received slight damage from flak. The excitement of the day was not over because on the way home three aircraft were sighted and chased, but they managed to escape into the cloud.

Andy Bird

[Tom Semenza]

Andy & Chris,

Have either of you any further info to ID F/O Harrison? Given names or initials, service number, etc.?

Thanks,

Tom

[Chris Goss]

Not in CC Intsum-would guess it is in the F540

[udf_00]

http://airforce.ca/awards.php?search...mem=&type=rcaf
HARRISON, F/O Raymond Stanley (J20203) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.144 Squadron
"...Flight Lieutenant R.S. Harrison, since he joined the squadron in November 1943, has completed 42 operational flights.
He has taken part in eight strikes on enemy shipping, shot down a BV.138 and on one occasion returned 300 miles to base on one engine..."

[Tom Semenza]

Many thanks.

Tom