Pandora aerial mine

[CJE]

AFAIK, a single success was achieved by a Harrow of 93 Sqn dropping Pandora aerial mines in the night of 22/23 December 1940.
Has the victim of this eccentric device been identified?

Thanks in advance.

CJ

[Chris Goss]

Chris: I forgot to tell you that I have 2 photos of a 93 Sqn Harrow taken in Oct 1940. As to the victim, I cannot remember if there was anything positive. Still away until 21 April

[brewerjerry]

Originally Posted by CJE

AFAIK, a single success was achieved by a Harrow of 93 Sqn dropping Pandora aerial mines in the night of 22/23 December 1940.
Has the victim of this eccentric device been identified?

Thanks in advance.

CJ

Hi
I have no information about this date, but have a loss for 29/30th april '41, 93Sq claimed 1 enemy aircraft off start point, devon, ( target was Plymouth )
From memory the claim was that an enemy aircraft was plotted going into the path of the mines, and the track failed to exit the path.
perhaps someone here knows if there were any losses that night.
cheers
jerry

[Brian Bines]

I believe Luftwaffe losses this night were a He 111 of 3/KG 55 which fell to a Defiant of 141 Sqd., a Ju 88 of KG1 over Germany, two Ju 88's of KG 51 which crashed on take off at Orly and a He 111 of 5/KG 53 which crash- landed on return with 80% damage. F/L Burke of 93 Sqd. was reported as releasing his mines ahead of two Bombers one of which went off ground radar ( Blitz on Britain 1939-45 by Dr. Alfred Price ). F/L Burke was credited with a kill it is possible he damaged the KG 53 aircraft, as far as I know the Heinkel crew survived.

[CJE]

Thanks.

Chris

[Chris Goss]

Pat Burke was an interesting man with a pre-war and very operational wartime career. I had the fortune of meeting his widow some years ago. He was in the Harrow whose mine got snagged under the fuselage