Combat claims by No.3 Group BC, 1941

[phasselgren]

Hi,

I am checking all combat claims for destroyed, probably destroyed or damaged enemy aircraft by No.3 Group Bomber Command during 1941 in the Interception/tactics night reports (AIR 14/3370 and 3371). Unfortunately the Interception/tactics night reports only has information about the involved Group. With a few exceptions the squadron is not mentioned. I have been able to find the involved squadrons for most of the claims during 1941 but still remains 10 claims without squadron identity and I need help to identify the involved squadrons. Any other information is of course much appreciated.

1. Night 6/7 May, Target HAMBURG, Pos: 53°00’N. 02°40’E., 2243 hrs, 8,000 ft. Wellington of 3 Group attacked by He.111 and 1 Ju.88, the former claimed as damaged.
2. Night 6/7 May, Target HAMBURG, Pos: 52°02’N. 02°12’E., 2310 hrs, 4,000 ft. Wellington of 3 Group attacked by Me.110 which claimed damaged.
3. Night 2/3 July, Target BREMEN, Pos: 10 miles W Texel., 0325 hrs, 14,000 ft. Me.110 made 3 attacks. No damage to our a/c but E/A claimed as damaged.
4. Night 4/5 July, Target BREST, Pos: 49°34’N. 04°20’E., 7,000 ft. our a/c [Wellington] attacked by Me.110 which caught fire after three bursts and appeared to break up in the sea.
5. Night 6/7 July, Target MÜNSTER, Pos: 3 miles W Den Helder., 0135 hrs, 10,500 ft. [Wellington] attacked by Me.110, front gunner got in long burst and E/A dived away and is claimed as probable.
6. Night 9/10 July, Target OSNABRÜCK, Pos: 52°21’N. 03°31’E., 0249 hrs, 14,000 ft. Me.110 made level attack dead astern. 600-75 yards. our a/c [Wellington] evaded by starboard turn. R/G opened fire at 100 ft, starboard wing of E/A hit, E/A rolled over and dived towards ground.
7. Night 9/10 July, Target OSNABRÜCK, Pos: 52°40’N. 05°08’E., 0045 hrs, 10,000 ft. Me.110 attacked from underneath tail in first attack. Making three subsequent attacks all from same position causing bullet holes in both tail planes and starboard fuselage. Rear gunner replied firing approximately 200 rounds. Hits were claimed and the second pilot and the rear gunner saw the E/A dive away very steeply with flames coming from its starboard engine.
8. Night 14/15 August, Target HANNOVER, Pos: 10 miles W Bremen, 0105 hrs, 6,000 ft. Wellington held by very large group of S/Ls in spite evasive action when clear of flak. Me.109 approached from astern 1,000 ft above with white headlight which blinded R/G who fired 300 rounds from each gun at 300 yds. Fire seen entering wing and fuselage of E/A which doused its lights. E/A held his fire until very close. Fire passed overhead and a/c below.
9. Night 16/17 August, Target DUISBURG, Pos: 10 miles W Oostvorne, 0105 hrs, at 10,500 ft. Me.110 attacked Wellington. E/A attacked from astern and slightly below with cannon and M/G at 400 yds, our R/G fired 300 rounds in reply, E/A dived vertically and hit was seen to hit sea, claimed. Moon was dead astern during encounter.
10. Night 29/30 August, Target MANNHEIM, Pos: 10 miles E Dunkirk, 2145 hrs, 12,000 ft. Wellington IC infra red , bright half moon low on starboard quarter, no S/L or flak. Ju.88 red light port wing tip, white light in cabin. Came from port bow passed 50 ft. below and from below starboard quarter opened cannon fire at 130 yards. Ranging coming in to 75 yards. Our rear gunner fired 60 rounds in two bursts hitting Ju.88 which broke off combat taking cloud cover, and is claimed as damaged. Wellington turned towards Ju.88 putting it into moon, swastika clearly seen on tail.

Thanks in advance,
Peter

[MW Giles]

4.7.41

115 Sqn to Brest Sgt Wallace pilot of Wellington X9671/F Sgt Parsons RG Bf110 destroyed

Taken from ORB

[MW Giles]

9.7.41

214 Sqn S/L R Glass Wellington Attacked by Bf109 and Bf110 over Ijsselmeer Bf110 claimed as probable

If it would help, I can tell you which 3 Group squadrons operated on a particular target, let me know

Martin

[phasselgren]

Martin,

Thanks for information.
I would be grateful for information about the involved squadrons if you have it readily available. I do not want to give you to much trouble.

Regards,
Peter

[MW Giles]

6.5.41 Hamburg Wellington 15, 40, 57, 75, 214; Stirling 15 (sic)
2.7.41 Bremen Stirling 7, 15; Wellington 40, 115, 214, 218
4.7.41 Brest Wellington 40, 115, 214, 218
6.7.41 Munster Wellington 40, 115, 218
9.7.41 Osnabruck Wellington 40, 101, 115, 214, 218
14.8.41 Hannover Stirling 15; Wellington 9, 57, 75, 101, 115, 218, 311
16.8.41 Duisburg Wellington 9, 40, 99, 149, 214, 311
29.8.41 Mannheim Wellington 9, 57, 75, 115, 214, 218, 311

Regards

Martin