Indentify this Hampden Bomber

[michel]

Hi All,

Who can help me indentify this Hampder bomber.

I think this plane flow with the 408 Squadron (EQ-A)

If you can help,

Michel

[andy bird]

Going by the date on the photograph which is wrong as that Date, Year in the Hampden Files has AE438 EQ-N

Step into 1942 and you've: The Crew of Hampden 1 AT191,EQ-A of 408 Squadron left their base at Balderton at 22:58 on June 1, 1942. It is claimed that they were shot down by a night-fighter (Lt Karl-Heinz Vollkopf),11,/NJG2).

Link to: http://www.bombercrew.com/408/marlandtrib.htm

Regards

Andy Bird

[Bill Walker]

My notes show AT191 crashed into the Ijsselmeer, with the wreckage being discovered in 1961 when this part of the Ijsselmeer was drained. That doesn't match the photo.

[MW Giles]

If we take the date as correct then the most likely candidate is AE433 of 408 Sqn that took off on the night of 08/09.11.41 for Essen piloted by P/O E L Houghton RNZAF and was shot down at Renkensfort near Maasbree by Oblt Dimter of Stab I/NJG1. The crew were taken prisoner.

The photo would have been taken in daylight the next day.

Chorley gives it the code EQ-D, but it is possible he is wrong

The last 408 Sqn loss before 08/11/41 was on 22/10/41 so is unlikely

Obviously if the day is wrong...

Martin

[Chris Goss]

No leaves on the trees would indicate early Winter which could favour AE433 not AE438

[Col Bruggy]

Hello,

Here is the rear fuselage of AE433 http://www.rafweb.org/images/Hampden%20tail.jpg

Looks like a "D" to me!

See also: http://www.rafweb.org/Squadrons/Sqn400-410.htm

Col

[michel]

Hi Guys,

Many thanks for your info,
The date was written on the backside of the picture, I think its wrong..
I did also research after AE433 which crashed on Maasbree.
Bill is right, The AT191 crashed into the IJselmeer.
Hampden AT224 also code (EQ-A) was hit May 15th 1942 It exploded in the air and, burning, crashed into the sea west of Samsø.
AT113 also code EQ-A, while flying a air test, crashed in a field cropped with oats 2 Miles of the airfield.(July 29th 1942)
I don't know how many planes flow with the EQ-A code

Michel

[Alex Smart]

Hello Michel,
For what its worth,

Hampden file has AE433 as EQ-S

As for a few "A's"
25/26-1-1942
AD782 - Op Brest -EQ-A
27/28-3-1942
AT176 - Op Gardening - EQ-A
15/16-5-1942
AT224 - Op Gardening - EQ-A
1/2-6/1942
AT191 - Op Essen - EQ-A
21/22-7-1942
AT139 - Op Duisburg - EQ-A
29-7-1942
AT113 - Op Air Test - EQ-A

Details from Chorley BCL vol3 and AB's Hampden File.

Others that no letter seems to be known -
AD754 - 21/22-1-1942
AD842 - 8/9-3-1942
AE139 - 25/26-3-1942
AT186 - 11-4-1942
AT120 - 12/13-4-1942
AT141 - 14/15-4-1942
AE426 - 28/29-4-1942
P5334 - 26/27-7-1942
AE177 - 28/29-8-1942
AT143 - 28/29-8-1942
AE385 - 12-9-1942

Alex

[Bill Walker]

Some additions/corrections to Alex's list:

AD754 was EQ*Y
AE177 was not used, part of a black our block
AE385 was with 420 Sdn when lost, PT*L
P5334 was EQ*Q

[Alex Smart]

Hello Bill,

Thanks for correction AE177, should have read AE197, my typo error -again

Re AE385,
Hampden file has -
44/420/408 - 12.9.42- Stalled dived into ground Balderton.

Choreley BCLvol3 has -
12 Sep 1942 - 408 Sqn - Hampden I - AE385 - EQ- - Training
Sgt G M Frame RCAF +
F/S W G Keogh RCAF +
T/o Balderton for circuit practice, stalled and crashed 2123, bursting into flames, just over 2 miles NE of the airfield. Both airmen are buried in Newark-upon-Trent Cemetery.
Note: This was the last Hampden written off by an operational Bomber Command squadron.

Also both crewmen are recorded as 408 Sqn in CWGC lists.

All the best
Alex