Friendly Fire - loss of 604sqn mosquito. 29/05/44

[adafor]

Does anyone have any information on the loss of a Mosquito of 604 squadron, shot down in the early hours of 29th May 1944?

Possibly a friendly fire incident.

[Brian]

Hi adafor


My records show that the Mosquito was shot down in error by a Beaufighter of 68 Squadron flown by Flt Lt A. Harvey DSO (information from Blue on Blue Volume III - not yet published)

I assume you have details of the Mosquito crew.

It would be nice to know your name!

Cheers
Brian

[adafor]

Thanks Brian.

My interest comes from my grandfathers wartime journal that he kept whilst with 488(NZ) Squadron. On 29/5/44 he records being vectored onto an unidentified a/c which he then identified as the mossie from 604 Squadron. He records that this was duly shot down by another allied a/c that then had a go at them.

I am blogging my grandfathers tour with 488(NZ) in real-time 70 years on. You can check it out at http://broodyswar.wordpress.com

Thanks again for your help, it has put another piece in the jigsaw for me. Sorry I can't help with the mossie crew. I can check the 604 Squadron ORB next time time I am at Kew if you like.

Cheers,

Adam

[Brian]

Hi Adam

Great site - I'll certainly follow your progress.

The crew of the 604 Squadron Mosquito - MM503 - were Flt Lt C.L. Harris and Sgt Eric Hopkinson - both baled out but the latter was killed.

Strangely, another 68 Squadron Beaufighter shot down another 68 Squadron machine on the same date during camera gun practice!

Who was your grandfather flying with on 29 May 1944, and what was the serial number of their aircraft?

Cheers
Brian

[adafor]

Brian,

My grandfather was flying with F/O Jack Scott in Mosquito NF Mk.XIII MM558 (ME-E). They were on a defensive patrol under control of Exminster and Hope Cove GCI stations.

[Brian]

Thanks for the info, Adam

Cheers
Brian