3 Group Wellingtons in encounters with night fighters 15/16 Oct 1942

[phasselgren]

Hi,

On the night 15/16 Oct 1942 No.3 Group sent 22 Wellingtons to attack Cologne (15 from 115 Sqn and 7 from 75 Sqn). According to the Interception/tactics Report No 196/42 these aircraft had 6 encounters with enemy night fighters. Neither of the squadron ORBs have any information about these encounters but with the help of Combat reports from 115 Sqn I have been able to link 4 encounters to 115 Sqn but I need help with the remaining 2:

xvi) AACHEN. 2212 hrs. 12,000 ft. Me.110 slightly above Wellington III from port quarter. Our A/C turned in and rear gunner fired two bursts from 100 yds. Glow seen later on the ground.

xix) COLOGNE. 2127 hrs. 7,000 ft. Unidentified E/A slightly below travelling same direction. Rear gunner fired one burst no result observed. Wellington III.

I hope someone has a Night raid report or any other document that can link these encounters to any of the involved units or even better the involved crews. I am mainly interested in first encounter that seems to have resulted in a claim for at least a Probable.

Thanks in advance,
Peter

[Marcel Hogenhuis]

Hello Peter,

I have checked my records on the I./NJG 1 stationed in Venlo and here are the results:

1) Oblt. Knacke/Uffz. Bundrock (1./NJG 1), 21.50, Lancaster northeast of Waldniel/Germany
2) Oblt. Frank/Uffz. Gotter (2./NJG 1), 22.05, Wellington near Gerkerath/Germany
3) Oblt. Frank/Uffz. Gotter (2./NJG 1), 22.31, Stirling near Valburg/Nijmegen/Holland
4) Oblt. Frank/Uffz. Gotter (2./NJG 1), 22.56, Stirling near Oss/Holland
5) Ofw. Eikmeier/Uffz. Fischer (2./NJG 1), 23.33 Halifax near Veenendaal/Holland

There were also encounters which resulted in German claims which could not be acknowledged:
- Oblt. Pause had one 'Feindberührung', time nor location given
- Oblt. Bauer attacked one bomber 4 times but received hits in his Bf110 nightfighter and wounded him and his wireless operator slightly. Unfortunately, time nor location given.

The last encounter might perhaps be linked to that unconfirmed claim of yours?

All the best, Marcel

[phasselgren]

Hello Marcel,

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately is the last encounter you mentioned not linked to the unconfirmed claim. The Bf 110 in this encounter did not fire its guns.

Possibly could it be linked to a 5 Group bomber that was attacked 3 times during the period 2135-2145 hrs from Gilze Rijen to Overflakkee. However was the fighter identified as a Ju 88. Rear gunner and mid upper gunner opened fire and claimed E/A damaged.

Regards,
Peter

[Theo Boiten]

Hi Peter,

Very interesting; do you happen to have the serial number & Squadron of the 5 Group 'heavy'?

Cheers, Theo

[phasselgren]

Hi Theo,

106 Sqn, Lancaster R.5731/M
There are some small differencies between the Interception/Tactics Report and the Combat Report from 106 Sqn but I believe this is the correct Aircraft.

Cheers,
Peter