Intruders Sqns over France,Holland 30-4-42 to 1-6-42

[David Pausey]

Hello

Does any one know which RAF Sqns were over France and Holland between the 30th of April 1942 and the 1st of June 1942. I know No. 1,3,23 and 418 Sqns operated over France and Holland on these nights ,but would like to know if there were any other Sqns which Bombed Leeuwarden(Holland 30-4-42) Juvincourt(France 29-5-42) and Venlo(Holland 31-5-42) perhaps Blenheim Sqns ?

Regards
David

[MW Giles]

Dates that span midnight can go a bit awry - but

29/30 April 114 Sqn sent 4 Blenheims to Leeuwarden
30/31 May 13 Sqn sent 4 Blenheims to Juvincourt (1 lost)
18 Sqn sent 5 Blenheims to Juvincourt (1 early return)
13 Sqn sent 1 Blenheim to Venlo
18 Sqn sent 5 Blenheims to Venlo
1 Sqn sent a Hurricane to Venlo
3 Sqn sent a Hurricane to Venlo (1 Ju88 claimed probable)

Regards

Martin

[Hans Nauta]

Hi David and Martin,

Coastal Command operated also with Beaufighters from 235 and 236 Squadron as Intruders. My info is limited to the time frame of the first days of June 1942, but perhaps they were also active in May or even earlier.

Martin, what is your source voor the FC exploits? I'm struggling with some Intruder Operations over Schiphol (Amsterdam-Holland) during Spring 1942 which I couldn't trace in The National Archives, at least not in the ORB's of the most obvious Squadrons like David previously described.

Regards,
Hans

[MW Giles]

Hans

I have been going through the BC operations record books for about 20 years now, about six months ago I had an idle thought about bomber losses and what was done pre 100 Group to reduce them, so I have started going through the ORBs for FC night fighter squadrons looking for intruder sorties. I am about 2/3 of the way through the list. Will have a look for you if you give me some dates

Regards

Martin

[Hans Nauta]

Hi Martin,

Thanks for your explanation. I don't know how deep your research goes, but don't forget to check the Appendices of the ORB of Fighter Command as these contain reports about Flower, Ranger and Intruder Operations.

Anyway, I'm looking for the Squadron which was involved on the following nights in Intruder operations against Schiphol/Amsterdam airfield in Holland:

11/12th April 1942 Boston
16/17th April 1942 Hurricane
26/27th July 1942 Hurricane

I've checked the ORB's of the obvious units 1, 3, 23 and 418 Squadron but haven't found a clue that these were involved in above mentioned nights.

Can you perhaps a look in your files to see if there's a match with a specific Squadron?

Thanks in advance,
Hans

[MW Giles]

Hans

Cannot be definitive but I believe the 11/12-04-42 Boston was probably from 418 Sqn. Form 540 and 541 for this squadron do not agree, sorties are missing from the latter part of the form but the Sqn definitely sent Bostons to Eindhoven and Gilze Rijen that night. Mr AB A Jansen in "Fliegerhorst Schiphol - Onze Nationale Luchthaven in Bezettingstijd Vol 2" mentions two aircraft attacking Schiphol on this night. One was undoubtedly P/O Hay in a Hurricane of 3 Sqn who claimed a He111 over the airfield. I suspect the other was from 418 Sqn. 418 Sqn also sent Bostons to Holland on 10/11 and 12/13 April. 114 Sqn sent two Blenheims to Schiphol on 10/11-04-42 and one on the night of 12/13-04-42

Cannot find a Hurricane on 16/17-04-42 to Schiphol. Jansen says it was quiet over the airfield that night (Boven Schiphol bleef het rustig). On 17/18-04-42 114 Sqn sent two Blenheims to Schiphol and lost one. On 15/16-04-42 23 Sqn sent two Havocs to Gilze and Eindhoven. Anyway on 16th it is not Hurricanes of 1,3 or 87 Sqns which I have the ORBs for, that you are seeking. Again 114 Sqn sent Blenheims on the nights either side of the 16/17

Cannot find a Hurricane for 26/27-04-42 either from 1,3 or 87 Sqns. On 27/28-04-42 a Boston of 418 Sqn was sent to Schiphol

Hope this helps a little, even if it is to rule out possibilities

Regards

Martin

[David Pausey]

Many thanks Gentlemen for the help.
Regards
David

[Hans Nauta]

Hi Martin,

Thank you very much for checking your files. I've some clues now to dig out next time when I'm back in TNA at Kew.

Kind regards,
Hans

[Marcel Hogenhuis]

Dear David, Martin and Hans (hello again!),

A most interesting thread because I have several possible intruder actions over 'my' Venlo airfield which are on my 'to list' whenever the gang of 4 young kids allow me to go to the NA in London.

Will check the dates, perhaps some of you guys can confirm/deny that these were intruder missions at all. One incident comes into my mind, that of the night of 31 July/1 August 1942 when a heavy bomb fell on the airfield, causing a lot of damage. This explosion was attributed to 'Vrolijke Frans' by the local population, rumoured to be a RAF pilot born in Venlo who appeared regulary over Venlo to drop a few bombs on the airfield, but it seems more likely that a Cookie was dropped by a bomber in distress.

Till soon, all the best, Marcel

[MW Giles]

Marcel

18 Sqn sent two Blenheims to Venlo 31-07/01-08-42 but I do not think either got there, one bombed another target and one was shot down by a night fighter. It is possible the second one reached Venlo before being shot down but would only have dropped 250 lb bombs. If you are looking for a cookie it would have to be a Wellington at the very least

Regards

Martin