Br.693 No.39 on 18.05.40

[robert]

Hi,


on 18.05.40 in afternoon time the formation of Br.693s from GBAII/35 was attacked by several Bf109s near to Avesnes (59). One Br.693 No. 39 was lost to the fighters. I wonder if anybody has an idea to which unit the Bf109s belonged?

Regards


Robert

[Stig Jarlevik]

Hi Robert

Strange as it may seem there is NO straight German claim for this French loss.

There are of course 7 Blenheims claimed shot down by I./JG 2 during two afternoon sweeps, and I guess there is a possibillity that one of these claims made at 14.11H and 14.15H(two) and 17.05H (five) may refer to this combat with 8 Bre 691 and 693 of I/54, II/54 and II/35.

The official French details I have only state the attack was made after mid-day, but a certain Maurice Leblond (on 19 April 1941!) stated the attack was made ca 18.00H. If the time difference between Germany and France was one hour it would fit the second sweep very well indeed.

The French raid is said to have been to attack troops on the route Landrecies - Avesnes, while the German first two claims are listed as "west Arras", while the five latter are said to have taken place over Landrecies!!!

The French Units lost a total of three Breguets, one to fighters and two to Flak.

This is the nearest I can get from published sources (Prien/Stemmer/Rodeike/Bock of course and Paul Martin)

Cheers
Stig

[robert]

Hi Stig,


I think that 2 first claims (at 14...) were against Blenheim L4861 from 53 RAF and the rest against Blenheims from 15 RAF. But we can also not outrule that the Br.693`s formation was also involved in this combat.


Regards

Robert

[Stig Jarlevik]

Yes indeed Robert

RAF lost a large number of Blenheims that day
53 Sq had TWO crews going MIA
15 Sq lost THREE aircraft to 109's (According to Bomber Command losses they took off at 12.30 (11.30 German time?) and that does NOT fit German claims 17.05H!

I have no time for the losses of 53 Sq.
Anyone else?

B Rgds

Stig