Hudson of Coastal Command - April 1940 incident

[Andy Saunders]

I have just acquired a set of official photos showing extensive damage to a Hudson, from the April 1940 period. I wonder if anyone can provide any clues as to the unit, serial, crew, date etc etc from the scant details to the reverse? I cannot post the pics at present due to computer/scanner glitch.

The details are:

"A Lockheed Hudson of RAF Coastal Command received direct hits from anti-aircraft guns when on reconnaisance over Norway. Shells piecred both wings and shrapnel spattered the the fuselage, starboard engine and rudders and punctured the right tyre. A petrol tank was holed and many gallons of spirit were lost, yet in spite of all these difficulties the machine was piloted home safely to her base on one engine and with her crew unhurt. RELEASE DATE: Monday April 29th 1940"

They may well be "known" images, but I hadn't seen them before and they are of stunning quality.

Any ideas anyone?

[Chris Goss]

No clues on this as there is no ac involevement but have a look at 224, 233 or 220 Sqn's ORBs

[Tony Kearns]

Hello Andy,
Perhaps Gron Edwards in his book Flying to Norway Grounded in Burma, Pen and Sword may have some information. He was involved with 233 Sqn. Hudsons in actions around Norway. A few years ago he had an interesting article in Aeroplane Monthly accompanied with photographs one of which show a Bf109 after attacking the Hudson, may have been from the same period. HTH
Tony K

[Andy Saunders]

Thank you, Chris and Tony!

The ORB's are next port of call and I will have a look at Gron Edwards' book.

[BC]

Is this one of the pictures ?

[Andy Saunders]

Indeed it is!

[Peter Clare]

Same crew????

This photo is taken from 'Naught Escapes Us' The story of 206 squadron RAF - P B. Gunn

No caption to the photo but it could be a Hudson I.

Regards
Peter

[Alan Clark]

Certainly is the same crew and the second a/c is a Hudson, with a fairly big hole in its port inner wing, though the starboard wing took even more punishment to its surface.

[Peter Clare]

The photo in post #5 was printed in the Times, dated Tuesday 30 April 1940.

Have attempted to upload a picture but with no luck. The caption reads that the Coastal Command aircraft was damaged by AA fire over Norway during a reconnaissance sortie.

Regards
Peter

[BC]

Hi Andy:

In an Aeroplane May 2004 article "First Hand History" about the CC exploits of one Gron "Dopey" Edwards flying Hudsons with 223 Sqn., there is a close-up picture showing a Wellington-clad 'erk' who appears to be measuring a hole in the port wing of a Hudson. Examination of the damage pattern leads me to believe it is almost certainly the same aircraft/incident. Said article does not imply the a/c pictured was that flown by the author.

As I'm busily researching battle-damage photographs, I'd be interested to hear if anything else turns up on this one Andy.

Regards,

Bob C