Battle of Britain Mystery

[Chris Goss]

Some years ago, I contacted a Josef Salomon who said he was a pilot with 3(F)/122 based at Laon during the Battle of Britain and that his Do 17 was shot down by a Blenheim in the early hours of 2 Sep 40 resulting in the deaths of his BO, Oblt Franz Preiger, and B F, Uffz Ellas von Bourbon-Parma. His recollections of the mission are quite clear but I cannot match either a loss or a claim that day?

[Brian]

Hi Chris

Hopefully I can help you for a change!

I have a note that Flt Lt Pat Meagher of Christchurch Station Flight claimed a Do215 on this date - while possibly flying a Blenheim. He had earlier in the year ferried a Blenheim to the Finns, so obvioulsy was au fait with the aircraft - and later flew Beaufighters in the Far East. However, I don't have any further details at this stage.

Cheers
Brian

[Alex Smart]

Hello,

Hi again, I will try to answer this time haveing being Http403 Forbidden Access earlier when I was trying to reply.

Re 2nd Sept 40 early hours claims via Forman's Victory Claims Vol 1.

First Do215 Claims
0800 - 54 Sqn Sgt. Robbins Damaged Chatham area
0810 - 501 Sqn Sgt. Lacey Damaged Ashford Area

Secondly Do17 Claims
0755 - 249 Sqn P/O Burton Prob Dest N. Canterbury
0755 - 249 Sqn P/O Meaker Damaged Near Canterbury
0755 - 249 Sqn S/L. Grandy Damaged Near Canterbury
0800 - 249 Shared P/O Meaker & F/L Barton Destroyed Thames est - Rochford
0800 - 72 Sqn Sgt Rolls Destroyed Maidstone
0800 - 72 Sqn Sgt. White Destroyed Near Maidstone
0810 - 501 Sqn F/O. Witorcenc Destroyed Ashford Area
0815 - 72 Sqn Sgt Gray Prob Dest Maidstone

Aahh at last.

hope this is a help

Alex

[Chris Goss]

Alex-Thanks for this but it was definitely a twin-engined aircraft that apparently shot this aircraft down

[Brian Bines]

Could this have been a 'Friendly Fire' incident, Do 17/Hampden problem?

[Frank Olynyk]

I have a note in my file that Meagher claimed a Ju-88 on Sept 2, 1940, time unstated, while flying Hurricane I L1562, 10 miles SW of The Needles, while with the (a?) Special Duty Flight. This is from a post by "Larry", 12 O'Clock High, Jan 5, 2004.

I have a further note that at 2320 hours on Sept 1, 1940, F/O Hugh Speke + Sgt Sidney Harry James Shirley claimed a He-111 damaged, apparently West of Swansea (the image is smeared); CR: Air 50/168-119&121.

Frank.

[Larry]

Hi Guys,

Sorry to say that the 2nd Sept 1940 victory that Sqn Leader P.E. Meagher had over a 'Do 215' in Hurricane L1562 was timed at 11.30 hours in the F540 for the SDF

[Brian]

Hi Chris

On checking with Gerhard Stemmer, he confirms there was no loss suffered by 3(F)/122 on 2-3/9/40 and states that 3(F)/122 was equipped with He111s and Ju88s at this time, not Do17s!

He advises that III/KG3 lost four Do17s on this date but crew names are known and are not any of those you list. In addition, 2(F)/122 lost a Ju88 over the Channel but not with your crew!

Finally, he could not find the names of Preiger and Bourbon-Parma on the casualty lists!

Over to you! Any further information?

Cheers
Brian

[Chris Goss]

Brian

That is why it is a mystery! I have a fairly detailed account from the German pilot but could not match it either with a German loss, WASt casualty or RAF claim. Guess it will remain a mystery

Chris