455 RAAF Hampden UB-S 7.7.43

[eknutson]

Is it possible that there are a photo of this aircraft and it crew. It is for compliting the history off our Me109G 14055 at Sola aviation museum. It was downed by this Hampden on a rover patrol on the Norwegian coast 7.7. 1943

[bearoutwest]

Notes from “The RAAF in Russia” (455 RAAF Sqn – 1942) by Geoffrey W. Raebel:

UB-S P2126, built by English Electric Factory July 1940, previously used by 83 Sqn RAF.

Regular crew while with 455 RAAF Squadron (in Russia):
Sgt J. Bluey Collins WAG
F/O R. Bob Lindeman NAV
F/Lt B.R.D. Butch O'Connor PILOT
Sgt C. Col Walters WAG

LAC W. Forbes S/N (S/N is designated as Supernumerary to Aircrew)

There were no readily identifiable photos of UB-S in the book. It would appear that the RAF/RAAF units had handed over the aircraft by the end of 1942, so that if the Hampdens were in combat in July 1943, it was probably with a Soviet crew.

In page 103 (covering the Soviet operational highlights), there is mention of a combat on 4 July 1942(?) - probably a typo, as the paragraph relates to Summer 1943. Russian bombers (Hampdens, IL-2, Pe-2 and Bostons) are searching for a large convoy off Fiskar Peninsular when attacked by Bf109G's. It notes Soviet losses of 7 Hampdens, 5 IL-2, 3 Pe-2 and a Boston against no German losses. Is this related to the combat you are looking into?

I hasten to add, in case there is any confusion, that though my name is also Geoff, I am not the author.

Edit - additional info.
I originally transcribed the pilot's name as Butch Connor. However there is a photo of the pilot Butch O'Connor, and his name does appear as Connor but in the section with the O's. So I think this is a typo in the book's list. The 455 RAAF Sqn crews were not operating the aircraft on 7.7.43, but I can happily e-mail you the photo of the pilot. You can drop me a message here with your e-mail address.

Regards,
...geoff

[Col Bruggy]

Hello Geoff,

Think you should read this:

http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showth...t=33379&page=4

See: posts #31-33.

You will find the official account here:

http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/Imagine.asp?B=1359207

See pp.403-4 & 412-415 of 937

Photos ?

http://www.awm.gov.au/search/collect...&submit=Search


Col.

[bearoutwest]

Col,

Having read the account for S/455 for UK-based operations on 7-Jul-1943, I finally understand the question posed by the OP.

Geoff Raebel's book does contain a few more photos of the crew of UB-S, and a single photograph of the tail section of a Hampden under camo-netting. You can just make out the 'S' marking. However these relate back to 1942 and S/455 (P2126) operations in Russia. The photo of the crew may be of interest to the OP, but the aircraft S/455 (P2126) is not the one associated with the shooting down of the Bf109G. Is it unusual for the crew to stay together for over 12 months of operations?

Just as a total aside, Sid Beck's museum in Mareeba has a torpedo trolley associated with use by one of the Hampden squadrons.

Regards,
...geoff

[Col Bruggy]

Geoff,

The incident involving the No.455 Sqn RAAF Hampden TB.1 (P5302:UB-S), and the 9./JG5 Me109, took place on the 7th July, 1943. 455 Sqn RAAF Hampdens were finally withdrawn in December 1943, and replaced by Beaufighter T.F.Xs.

It was thought for many years, that No.455 Squadron's first, and only "Kill" in WWII, was a 1./Ku.Fl.Gr.706 Bv138, shot down on 4th April 1943, by AUS400473 F/O (Pilot) Malcolm Sydenham HUMPHREY RAAF, in Hampden TB.1 AT152:UB-F. I think this and other postings show otherwise. Chalk up another one fellas!

Col.

[andy bird]

I can add another . . . unconfirmed: Combat Report reads:

Hampden Y/455 (RAAF) on Wednesday, August 18th 1943, was on a night Rover patrol off Kristiansund when the pilot sighted a Junkers 88 on the port quarter. The enemy aircraft opened fire at 400 yards, but did not obtain any hits on the Hampden. Y/455 pilot took evasive action by corkscrewing and although this made shooting really difficult, the rear gunner was able to fire two short bursts totalling 100 rounds of 0.303. No hits were observed. The Ju. 88 again carried out a port quarter attack as it had the Hampden up moon. Y/455 countered by a diving turn to port, jettisoning the Mark XV torpedo at the same time at roughly 1,000 feet. The rear gunner got in three more short and long bursts of fire, using three Vickers K magazines. The moon now suddenly became obscured by cloud and the enemy aircraft was not seen again.

Kind Regards

Andy Bird

[ATCCbengt]

Try out the Australian War Memorial web site: http://www.awm.gov.au/search/collections/

You might be lucky.

The crew flying Hampden P5302/UB-S:
Squadron Leader B.R.D. O'Connor (AUS. 404835) Pilot
Flying Officer R.N. Lindeman (AUS. 402762) Navigator
Pilot Officer C.H. Walters (AUS. 408055) Wireless Operator/Air Gunner
Flight Sergeant J. Collins (AUS. 402588) Wireless Operator/Air Gunner
Ref. AIR 27/1897

Regards
Bengt,
Bodø, Norway.