Air attacks on HMS Javelin 29 Nov 1940

[CornwallPhil]

The German destroyers Hans Lody, Richard Beitzen and Karl Galster attacked and sunk the tug Aid and barge CBX 110 off St Anthony Point, Falmouth and damaged the tug Abeille 14 and pilot vessel No 4 on Friday 29th November 1940. The 5th Destroyer Flotilla under Capt Lord Louis Mountbatten was sent to respond and in an engagement off the Lizard HMS Javelin was hit by torpedo fore and aft. Only 155 feet of Javelin’s original 353 feet length remained afloat. 46 of the ship’s company lost their lives. Javelin was towed back to Plymouth. On that journey there were a number of air attacks, which I'll detail below. What I am hoping to find out are any details of the German crews and identification of the planes involved.

The first attack was at 1130 hours (UK time) by a Dornier 17 which tried to attach itself to a line of Blenheims but was spotted by Spitfire pilot GL Ritcher whose attack caused the Dornier to spin out of control and crash into the sea 15 miles SSE of the Lizard. One member of the crew was seen to bale out.

At 1420 hours another Dornier 17 attacked. This was shot down by Squadron Leader Blake 20 miles south of the Lizard .
Also around 1420 hours 10 miles south of the Lizard a Junkers 88 was attacked by Spitfire pilot Sgt Boddington and by S/L Blake. The Ju 88 escaped into cloud but was believed to have suffered some damage.

At 1435 a Junkers 88 dive bombed the Javelin releasing 4 bombs on his first run and an unknown number on his second. The Ju 88 was attacked by Spitfire pilot IH Edwards whose fire smashed the rear gunners cockpit, set the port engine on fire and caused the starboard engine to emit dense smoke. It was believed the Ju 88 crashed into the sea about 15 miles SSE of the Lizard.

The Spitfires were from 234 Squadron based at RAF St Eval.
Any information gratefully appreciated.

[Chris Goss]

I am sorry but it appears that the RAF was over optimistic. I can find no mention in the Luftflotte 3 reports of German actions and there were no casualties. It has been suggested that a KGr 806 Ju 88 which landed at Caen with 15% damage was involved but this appears not to be the case as, assigned to III./KG 54, it was after land targets at night. The mention of a Do 17 suggests KGr 606 but that too was involved against land targets

[srob48]

Hi Phil, the only Do17 and Ju88 losses from the Luftwaffe Loss Records that could be connected are:
6/KG2.
Dornier Do17Z (1218). Crash landed at Merville, France. Oberfw. R. Spiess (Bm) wounded. Aircraft 20% damaged.
8/KG51.
Junkers Ju88A (3189). Crash landed at Bretigny A/F, France. Oblt. Maletz and crew unhurt. Aircraft 9K+FS 20% damaged.
KGr.806.
Junkers Ju88A (4157). Crash landed at Caen-Carpiquet A/F, France. Crew unhurt. Aircraft 15% damaged.
I(K)/LG1.
Junkers Ju88A (5115). Crash landed at Salbris, France. Fw. Usicke (F), Fw. Günther (B), Uffz. Petermann (Bf) and Uffz. Bussmann (Bs) all wounded. Aircraft a write-off.
Hope this helps

[James A Pratt III]

The Book "Battle of Britain The Forgotten Months" has S/L M.V. Blake claiming a 'Do215' and another 'Do215' claim by F/O B Van Mentz of 222 Sqn with a Do 17 of 6/KG 2 mentioned above being the victim.

[Chris Goss]

234 were operating to the west of England, 222 Sqn to the east so no connection

[robert]

Hi,

I have following bomb attacks recorded (all by Ju 88s of II./KG51):
15.00 hrs: attack on 3 destroyers and 1 light cruiser, four SC250 were dropped but due to enemy fighter attacks no attack results could be observed
15.20 hrs: attack on a merchant ship, which was sailing in a convoy with 1 cruiser and 3 destroyers, with 4 SC250 bombs; hits were observed on merchant ship
15.25 hrs: attack on a cruiser with 4 SC250 bombs, also here the bomber was attacked by fighter and no attack results were observed
German bomber aircrews reported about two fighter attacks:15.20 hrs: attack by 7-9 Hurricanes approx. 20 km S of Lizard Point
15.25 hrs: attack by 1 Hurricane at the same place
One Ju 88A of II./KG51 returned slightly damaged by English fighters S of Lizard Point.


Regards

Robert

[Chris Goss]

Of added interest, a Spitfire of the PDU encountered a Do 17 off the Scillies at 1045 hrs and then at 1240 hrs, a Beaufort was damaged by two Bf 109s off Ushant