02.08.1941 - Blenheim lost in action against H 855

[Darius]

Hello friends,

in my home-forum we have a question about a killed sailor on Hafenschutzboot H 855. He died two days after his ship was lost to a british air attack.

Details are here:
http://www.forum-marinearchiv.de/smf...hp/topic,24907

According the german documents, on 02.08.1941 H 855 shot down one of the four attacking Blenheims (I don´t think, there were two victims), but was herself sunk. The body of one of the aircrew members was recovered later.

Do you have more details on this action and the british losses?

Thank you

Darius

[Chris Goss]

The only Coastal Command loss on 2 Aug 41 was a 22 Sqn Beaufort off Vlissingen. However, an 82 Sqn Blenheim was shot down off Den Helder and the bodies of all 3 were recovered eventually

[MW Giles]

82 Sqn ORB records, "Five aircraft were ordered to attack shipping on Beat 9 with two aircraft of 114 Sqn. One enemy patrol vessel of approx: 1000 tons was sighted and attacked 10 miles SW of Den Helder. Aircraft R scored a direct hit amidships and the vessel was left burning. Aircraft M was seen to crash into the sea after making its attack."

V6026 M W/C K.O. Burt, Sgt W.T. Ellis and F/S A.D.W. Curr killed.

Perversely R is not listed in the left hand column. The other four a/c returned safely

The 114 Sqn ORB lists three aircraft on Beat 9 but says none of them saw anything

Regards

Martin

[Darius]

Hello Chris and Martin,

thank you for these details.

Greetings

Darius

[Darius]

Hello,

you know, which bomb loads the Blenheims of 82 Sqn. had in this attack? We have 35-40 bombs counted for in the report of H 855.

Regards

Darius

[Hans Nauta]

Hello Darius,

According to the Day Bomb Raid Sheets these Blenheims carried 4 x 250 lbs SAP each.

Regards,
Hans

[Darius]

Thanx Hans

Darius