Do217 losses to Mosquitos 09.08.44

[keith A]

On this date twelve Mosquitos attacked a formation of Do217 near Gironde. In the couse of the action two Dorners were destroyed and two damaged. The 235 record brook does not attribute the victories to any individual but rather to the formation.

The formation consisted of eleven Mosquitos of 235 Squadron - and a single Mosquio of 248 Squadron piloted by FO Bernard C Roberts DFC (KIFA 20/2/45).

Looking at the EOW victory tally of 248 Squadron it had 53 kills by end of July 1944 and made no other claims that I can see apart from on this sortie until the New Year. Did they cheekily claim two-half-shares?

Likewise in 1945 according to the ORB they have fifty-seven kills after the 21 April engagement where they were credited with three Junkers bombers but by the EOW they now claim fifty eight. I cannot see another combat after 21 April 1945 but may have missed something?

K

[Nick Beale]

There's a huge spreadsheet of Mosquito victory claims on this page which may help: http://www.mossie.org/donated_files/donated_files.htm

[Chris Goss]

CC Intsum just says Sqn Ldr Barnes, intercepted 4 Do 217s at 2055hrs 2 destroyed and 2 damaged. Do 217s were carrying Hs 293s

[keith A]

I may have a solution to the 21 April puzzle. Nine German bombers were claimed destroyed and one damaged. 235 Squadron claim two, 143 squadron claim three and a damaged, but 248 squadron claimed three and a damaged also. Either 248 or 143 squadron's claims was upgraded. Perhaps 248?

[keith A]

I have checked the Mosquitos database and it's extraordinary! Unfortunately while it provides info on possible casualties it is missing a few claims and.... 21 April 1945 is a black hole. The 9 August 1944 seems to attribute all the victories to 235 Squadron (four kills is wrong unless it was revised upward later) which is possible because I sense a bit of rivalry. On 30 October 1944 according to the database 235 and 248 squadron attacked the same Ju88. 235 ORB does not admit any 248 involvement but 248 definitely believe they were the victors (or at least half-victors). On 31 July 1944 four crews of 248 claimed a Ju188 destroyed, and on 28 February 1945 the 235 ORB (and Martin Bowman's "Mosquito")has a Ju88 shot down by SLdr R. Reid.I am reading Andy Bird's book on the Banff Wing again, this time with a lot more career information about the pilots but now I can register the personal stuff (I have the excellent "Coastal Dawn" too) and research the vessels attacked. Given that 235 Squadron had at least 56 kills from my research..then 248 claiming 57 or 58 is...interesting.