Flt Lt Douglas Rayment AFC

[Brian]

Hi guys

Flt Lt Rayment flew with the Special Duties Flight based at Christchurch in 1940/41 and was involved in TRE work. However, this didn't prevent him flying sorties in defence of the airfield during the Battle of Britain, and he claimed a Ju88 shot down on 19/9/40 (apparently an aircraft from I/KG51), having possibly damaged a Ju88 on 12/9/40.

Sometime in early 1941 (according to fellow pilot Flt Lt Frank Griffiths) he was responsible for a He111 crashing into the sea off the Isle of Wight, although he had not fired at it. The wreckage was seen by both pilots. Griffiths recorded that it was Rayment's third victory, of which one was shared. On 17/7/41 Rayment investigated a Luftwaffe seaplane (red cross machine) that had alighted on the sea - but failed to return.

Can anyone add to the above?

[Peter Clare]

7 July 1941

Returning from a raid on the Bristol area, three Heinkel He111s were shot down, crashing west and south-west of the Needles. They belonged to KG100 based at Vannes.

Heinkel He111. 1G+AF
Crew.
Uffz. K. Lammert.
Uffr. H. Erdwey.
Gefr. J. Pitzke.
Gefr. R. Schmid.
Lost in the sea S.W of the Needles.

Heinkel He111. 6N+GK.
Crew.
ObLtn. G.H. Franke.
FW. R. Hartel.
FW. P. Stein.
FW. A. Wetzell.
Sdfhr. A. Kapfhammer.
Lost in the sea west of the Needles.

Heinkel He111. 1G+AP.
Crew.
Uffz. A. Assmuth.
Uffz. H. Teschner.
Gefr. M. Petry.
Gefr. W. Gilkert.
Gefr. A. Blecha.
Lost in the sea west of the Neddles


Not much but it might help

Regards
Peter

[Brian]

Thanks Peter

Were these night losses? If so, then it is unlikely that one would be Rayment's 'kill' since he was flying a Hurricane.

Cheers
Brian

[Peter Clare]

Brian,

Sorry but my source does not indicate times of loss.

Regards
Peter

[Larry]

Brian,

The late Frank Griffiths also told me that he thought Douglas Rayment had another victory or at least a half share in one, but despite searching the F540 for the SDF and the copies of the Log books I have for various SDF pilots including Frank Griffiths, I have found no confirmation of this other victory in 1940-41.

Frank Griffiths always narrated his log book with important facts and I can find no mention of a He111 crash. The nearest I have got is a flight by him in Hurricane L1592 which is noted as 'Channel Search for E/A in sea' on 15th April 1941 which lasted 50 mins. Take off time is not known.

Incidentally if Frank Griffiths said he saw the enemy aircraft crash it would have been after mid November 1940 when he arrived at the SDF up to 17th July 1941 when Rayment was lost.

NB - I sent you a PM