Lancaster Gunners destroy a V1 ?

[Jon]

In Martin Middlebrook's "The Bomber Command War Diaries" on page 674 he gives brief details of a 619 Lancaster flown by Wing Commander S.G Birch, the Gunners of this lancaster claimed V1 as destroyed ?
It was during a raid against the Dortmund Ems Canal, on 3/4 March 1945.
I assume the raid was at night but could have been daylight for this late period of the war.

Did this actually happen / were the gunners given credit for this ?
Did any other gunners from either RAF or USAF bombers claim V1's during the war?

[Martin Bull]

Hello Jon

Yes, this incident did happen and the gunners involved were credited with the victory. The aircraft was Lancaster PD441 ( PG-B ) and the gunners were Sgts J D Longworth and E M Martin. The V1 was claimed in the target area ( the Ladbergen Aqueduct ) and was most likely aimed at Antwerp. The raid took place after dark as t/o time for the operation was between 18:00/19:00 hrs. Incidentally, this was the night of 'Operation Gisela'.

I don't know of other such bomber/V1 incidents but they may well have occurred.

The above information is extracted from Bryan Clark's '619 - The History Of A Forgotten Squadron' ( Woodfield, 2004 ).

[Jon]

Hi Martin.

Thanks for the response.
Fantastic shooting and not bad for the "little" .303 !!!

Regards
Jon