Mosquito Attack on Irish ship on 23.10.1943

[Darius]

Hello friends,

from http://www.thewildgeese.com/pages/kerlogue.html I have the information, that on 23.10.1943 two Mosquitos of the polish squadron 307 attacked and damaged the irish cargo ship Kerlogue (335 BRT).

Can you answer the following questions:

a) Is this information true?

b) Hit this aircraft also the landing ship infantery LCI 309 (was sunk also south of Ireland)?

b) Do you eventually have the Operation Record Book for Sq. 307 for October 1943? I have found only November.

Thank you

Darius

[Stig Jarlevik]

Darius

Not much of an answer, but looking in Cynk's Schiffer book vol 2, No 307 Sq was a night fighter unit under Coastal Command control at the time. Lots of bad weather during quite some time, made the unit operate by day as well. Most actions were so called Instep patrols in co-operation with the Navy. An "incident" this date is mentioned by Cynk as follows:
On the 23rd No.307's Mosquitoes on an "Instep" patrol damaged an enemy cargo ship. This is not to say it was the same ship although the identification is tempting.
At the time the CO was S/Ldr Jerzy Orzechowski and the units base was at Predannack and equipment was Mosquito NF.II and FB.VI

If 307 Sq was responsible we can be fairly certain that the crews were convinced the vessel was German controlled at the time.

Cheers
Stig

[Darius]

Hello Stig,

yes. In my link they said, they attacked a ship with french flag painted. This could be of course the irish flag (see picture no. one).

Greetings

Darius

[Leendert]

Darius,

This story puts its as "later identified as RAF Mosquitoes..": http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/s...a6848030.shtml

Regards,

Leendert

[Leendert]

Darius,

Perhaps this question and answer in the Irish Parliament on 2 Dec 1943 is interesting as well: http://historical-debates.oireachtas...312020002.html

Regards,

Leendert

[Darius]

Thank you guys,

I browsed a little bit in the Parliament Data, found another fine data about Irish ship losses:

http://www.oireachtas-debates.gov.ie...pl&setCookie=1

Greetings

Darius

[Franek Grabowski]

Oh, that was very simple. Ireland was considered pro-German in many respects, so this could not help any friendship. Nonetheless this does not explain shooting at the ship, and if indeed crews were awared of presence of the ship, then I do not see any other reason but attack according to orders. Please have in mind, that about two weeks later Lewandowski overtook 307 Sqn and was promoted to A/W/C. This would not happen if he was guilty, would it?
Some corrections to spelling.
HJ656 S/L Maksymilian Lewandowski (pilot) F/L Czesław Krawiecki (nav.) and (I believe) DD728 P/O Bolesław Sochacki (pilot) P/O (I have got F/O) Tadeusz Śliwak.

[Tony Kearns]

Thanks Franek for those corrections, perhaps you could help further. I transcribed the details from the ORB (pre microfilm period) many years ago. Now on further checking I find I listed the other two Mosquitos airborne at the same time as DD717 P/O Piotrowski (P) P/O L Fowler (N) and W4051 W/O P Szemplinski (P) F/Sgt Sluszkiewicz (N)
The serials listed are not shown in the Air Britain serials lists as having served in 307 Sqn. I find it difficult to believe that I transcribed so much incorrectly! I would appreciate any assistance.
Tony K

[Franek Grabowski]

DZ717 EW-P P/O Władysław Piotrowski (P) P/O G.L. (first names anyone?) Fowler (N) and W4081 EW-R W/O Lucjan Szempliński (P) F/Sgt Emil Słuszkiewicz (N). I think there are many errors in the ORB. There is around an NCO navigator who served at the period, so I will try to contact him in this regard.

[Tony Kearns]

Many thanks Franek.
Tony K