489 Sqn on 14 May 1943

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Hello,

On 14 May 1943 the Hampden P4304 of 489 Sqn RNZAF was shot down off Norway and his whole crew captured.

The same day, the Beaufighters of 404 Sqn RCAF were escorting Hampdens of 489 Sqn when a German convoy covered by several aircraft was met. A 404 crew shot down a Bv 138 after it shot down an Hampden.

On the German side, an unknown pilot of I./JG 5 claimed an Hampden this day.

I would like to confirm that only one Hampden of 489 Sqn was lost this day, and that all the events above occured during the same action.

Thanks in advance

Laurent

[Chris Goss]

At 1351 hrs, Hampdens W, F, H, G/489 Sqn (FS Fendt, Fg Off Moyniham, Wg Cdr Darling & Sqn Ldr James) reported an inconclusive combat with a BV 138. At 1352 hrs, Flt Lt McHutcheon in A/404 Sqn damaged a BV 138 off Egersund and saw it crash land. At 1355 hrs, Hampden V/489 Sqn (Fg Off Wilkins) reported an inconclusive combat with a BV 138. No mention of losses or Bf 109s but I am sure that if there were losses, Ross or others will be in touch

[phasselgren]

Laurent,

From the 489 Sqn ORB
Form 540
"6 aircraft on shipping recce Oberstadt – lister area escorted by Beaufighters. Aircraft V attacked large M/V which had two escorts. No hit were seen but smoke were later seen coming from bows of M/V. Aircraft H was damaged but had no casualties. Aircraft X (P.O. Dubbury, F/S. Jones, F/S. Brier, F/S. Burt) was last seen with port engine on fire as V went in to attack. An HA 138 was fired on by V and chased and attacked by Beaus as were FW.190’s seen with the convoy."

Form 541
"Rover patrol in Stand area, in formation H leading with a/c V & X and Beaufighter escort of 404 Squadron. Near Oberstad Hampdens were attacked by an HA 138 which flew over the leading
VIC and attacked it from astern. E/A was then attacked by Beaufighter and broke away. R/G’s of each a/c fired at E/A. A/C H was damaged by cannon shell but there were no casualties. 2 FW 190 were also sighted but did not attack the formation. A convoy of IVM 3/4000 tons 6& 2 EVs was sighted and attacked by a/c V. No hit was seen but R/G saw thin column of smoke apparently from VM. Heavy and light flak was encountered from EVs. A/C X was last seen at time of attack, its port engine on fire."


One Hampden lost but no definitive cause for this loss.

Regards,
Peter

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Thanks Chris and Peter, more info than I asked for

[andy bird]

Written Combat Report Reads:

Beaufighter "A," one of three Beaufighter's of No: 404 Squadron, escorting six Hampdens on a shipping strike off the Norwegian coast sighted one Ha.138 about 1,000 yards distant. A/404 approached enemy aircraft from dead astern, opening fire at 600 yards and closing to within 100 yards. 652 rounds fired. Both port and starboard engines of the Ha138 were seen to burst into flames, with dense clouds of black smoke pouring from them. The enemy aircraft was seen to be losing height rapidly. At this point A/404 found itself over an enemy convoy which the Ha138 had been escorting. A/404 met very heavy accurate flak from the escort vessels directly beneath, and was hit in the port engine, which caught fire. Hit were also received in the hydraulic system which caused the port wheel to drop down. The pilot swiftly reacted turning A/404 sharply to port and, at the same time, sighted two Fw190s which were crossing his bow at 600 yards range. Beaufighter A/404 fired a short burst at the rear Fw190 and then dived to sea level.
At this point the flames from the port engine subsided and A/404 set course for base. After five minutes, he over took the formation of Hampdens and escorted them for a further twenty minutes (20 minutes) before returning alone to base were he made a successful crash landing.

Hope this helps?

Kind Regards

Andy Bird

[andy bird]

Can also add a 404 Sqn pilot's diary reads:

"A 3 engined Blohn and Voss, shot down one of the Hampdens in flames. Both engines were seen to be in flames pouring thick black smoke. McHutcheon took after the Jerries and shot them down. The big flying boat was seen to crash into the sea on fire."

AB