5 9 42 losses

[Adam]

According to DEFE 3/191, "At 0600, a Handly page Hampden made a forced landing near Vardoe after being fired on. 5 Australians being taken prisoner". This is part of larger report athat claims another Hampden down bear Nautsi at 0400 on 5 9 1942. The report is addressed from Fl.Fü North (East).

Does anyone have details on the 0600 loss, particularly crew names, aircraft, operation? I've checked Tony Woods combat claims and I can't find a Hampden claim for that date or time to give away a unit or possible pilot.

Thanks

Adam

[Adriano Baumgartner]

ADAM, good morning!
Certainly one of either 489 or 455 Squadron Hampdens that flew from Murmansk on anti-shipp missions.
I do recommend this book, which is on my "wish Christmas list" since a long time...I guess it will help you out: Strike and strike again: 455 Squadron RAAF, 1944-45 (by Ian Gordon ).
Will try to dig out more for you...
All the best
Adriano S. Baumgartner

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Most probably the crew were:
HARRIS, JOHN MACENZIE OBERLINSergeant40812905/09/194220Royal Australian Air ForceAustralian4. A. Coll. grave 1-5.KVIBERG CEMETERYNICHOLLS, THOMAS GRAHAMFlight Sergeant40033105/09/194222Royal Australian Air ForceAustralian4. A. Coll. grave 1-5.KVIBERG CEMETERYSMART, EDWARD JOHNSergeant40084204/09/194225Royal Australian Air ForceAustralian4. A. Coll. grave 1-5.KVIBERG CEMETERYNELSON, DONALD HENRYCorporal670705/09/194221Royal Australian Air ForceAustralian4. A. Coll. grave 1-5.KVIBERG

[Adriano Baumgartner]

http://www.cwgc.org/search-for-war-d...0EDWARD%20JOHN

Hope this will help you Adam!
Adriano S. Baumgartner

[Adriano Baumgartner]

By the way...they were from 455 Squadron (torpedo)

[Adriano Baumgartner]

I do guess those MIA mentioned before are related to the second Hampden loss on your thread, shot down near Nautsi at 04:00hs.
The other crew (POW)...we must have a more careful search...sorry!
Adriano S. Baumgartner

[Adriano Baumgartner]

OK...found the serial number for the first loss...and a NAME

L3698AndersonG R455AT109400316RAAF04/09/42
Serial number of Hampden is AT109 - from 455 Squadron
G R Anderson (Aus.400316) POW nº698 at Stalag Luft 3 (SAGAN).

[Adriano Baumgartner]

MORE 4 you ADAM:
All 04/09/42 (note not all the Hampdens lost that day on the transit)

Regards
Ross

Crew of AT109
S/L J Catanach DFC MID RAAF
F/O G R Anderson RAAF
F/Sgt C W F Cameron RAAF
Sgt J R Hayes RAAF
F/Sgt J D Davidson RAAF

Crew of AE436
P/O D I Evans
P/O W H Bowler RCAF
Sgt J S Jewett RCAF
Sgt J Campbell RCAF
Cpl B J Sowerby

Crew of AT138
Sgt J C R Bray
Sgt J D Smith
Sgt G D Kirby
Sgt R S Otters
AC2 L Mallinson

Crew of P1273
Sgt H L Bertrand
Sgt K C Smith RCAF
Sgt K S Piper RCAF
Sgt E D Blind RCAF
Cpl G R Desforges

Crew of P1344
P/O E H E Perry
F/Sgt G E Miller RCAF
Sgt J M Robertson
Sgt D C Garrity
Cpl C Shepherd
Plus possibly AC2 R E Holmes

Crew of P5304
Sgt E J Smart RAAF
Sgt T G Nicholls RAAF
Sgt L A Biggin
Sgt J M O Harris RAAF
Cpl D H Nelson RAAF

and at: http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/sho...ash-4-Sep-1942

All the best and good luck!
Adriano S. Baumgartner

[Adriano Baumgartner]

My main question is:
1- Were they on "transit" or on a torpedo mission?
2- How many aircraft from 144 and 455 Squadron were involved on this "transit" flight or attack (strike)?

[Adam]

Wow, that is a lot of information to sift through! Thank you very much for this. As for your questions I do not know the answers unfortunately. I will keep looking though!