enemy aircraft shot down 4-apr-41 by 'lorna doone'

[brewerjerry]

Hi
Anyone have any details on a luftwaffe aircraft claimed shot down on 4 apr 41 by the steamer 'lorna doone' off the south west coast england

nearly forgot the aircraft claimed was a dornier

thanks in advance
cheers
jerry

[BC]

Hi Jerry:
The incident you refer to actually took place in the North Sea off Southwold, Suffolk, on 2 April 1941. Southwold Report Centre's summary says that at 10.34 hours, 8 HE bombs fell and machine-gunning took place at sea 1/2 mile off Southwold Harbour.
"Patrol boat (paddle steamer) bombed and machine-gunned by 3 enemy planes (2 bombers and 1 fighter-bomber). Boat escaped bombs but decks was raked by machine-gun fire - boat returned fire & all machine gun posts in town opened up. boat proceeded North after incident. 2 seamen wounded".
I queried this incident with Luftwaffe loss-researcher Stephen Burns back in the 80s and apparently the only loss/damaged German aircraft which might tie-up was an Me 110 from SKG.210 damaged on ops this date.
Several wartime publications, including 'War Illustrated' carried quite colourful accounts of this incident.

Hope this helps.
BC

[brewerjerry]

Hi
Thanks for the reply and info,
strangely the incident is dated on 4th in south west official records as happening of the south west coast of england.
wierd, maybe they had the wrong name for the steamer on the 4th..
or something else
cheers
Jerry

[Andy Mitchell]

For a picture of Lorna Doone see here http://freespace.virgin.net/tom.lee/lorna1942.htm

For more go here http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/RedFunnel-LornaDoone.html

[brewerjerry]

Originally Posted by Andy Mitchell

For a picture of Lorna Doone see here http://freespace.virgin.net/tom.lee/lorna1942.htm

For more go here http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/RedFunnel-LornaDoone.html

Hi
Thanks interesting links,
it always amazes me the internet, It used to take years finding stuff out when i first started researching, wish it was around then.

dittto for digital cameras

cheers
Jerry

[Andy Mitchell]

Here is a little bit more.....

""..and 2 April witnessedII/KG53 mount two such sorties. The he 111s came in about 09.00, one being hotlt engaged by Norwich guns which claimed hits. But Luftwaffe concentration remained upon shipping and the gruppe homed in at 10.56 to heavily attack a minesweeper off Walberswick. Three more Heinkels joined them and at 12.30 attacked HMS Lorna Doone."

This was from "Air Raid" by Michael Bowyer (PSL Publications)

In the same paragraph there is mention od a possible Erpr.210 Me 110 crossing the coast at Tostock to drop two 250Kg on Norwich.

[DAVID J COLLINS]

HI.... my uncle was on the minesweeper Lorna Doone...he claimed "he" shot down the enemy aircraft. His son became a Lithographic Engraver. An article appeared in the London Gazette regarding the Lorna Doones encounter. My cousin reproduced an engraving of the encounter. I have a photographic copy of the Lorna Doone with two enemy aircraft overhead, one of which is ditching into the sea. If anyone is interested ?

and john foremans book 1941 turnin point,its in there, gary

Originally Posted by brewerjerry

Hi
Thanks interesting links,
it always amazes me the internet, It used to take years finding stuff out when i first started researching, wish it was around then.

dittto for digital cameras

cheers
Jerry

me too great site,gary

i think fw 200 or heinkel. 111,its in the book john foremans 1941
gary