V-1 flying bombs

[Brian]

Hi guys

As some of you may know I am putting the finishing touches to my latest book - Diver! Diver! Diver! - an account of RAF/Commonwealth/USAAF day and night fighter defence against the V-1 flying bomb assault on the UK in 1944. It is due to be published in June of this year (time is rapidly running out!!)

Should anyone have a story/account or something similar they feel should be included relating to fighters shooting down flying bombs, then do please contact me asap. Any contribution that I may be able to use will be acknowledged in the forthcoming book.

Cheers
Brian

[Stein Meum]

I am infrequently in contact with Tarald Weisteen who served on 85 Sqn from 1943 to the end of the war.He shot down the first V-1 to be downed by 85.His final V-1 score was 7.

Stein

[Brian]

Hi Stein

Have you any personal accounts of Tarald's operations against the V-1? I do have details of his seven kills but should he have record of the serial numbers of the Mosquitos he flew when making these claims, I would appreciate same. The 85 Squadron ORB listed code letters only - for example, I know that Tarald flew VY-A and VY-B when making his V-1 kills.

I hope that you may be able to help further

Cheers
Brian

[Stein Meum]

I have managed to match A/C letters with serials for quite a few of the Mossies he flew at 85 Sqn but not all.The MK.XIX he used for his last V-1 kill on 16th Aug-44 was VY-B (no serial found),all others were obtained flying MM636 VY-A.This serial appears in his logbook in connection with a "green endorsement" re. a single-engine landing during the night of 15/16 June.However,Weisteen has pencilled in the serial MM626 in his logbook.This machine was also on 85 Sqn at the same time as MM636,both transferring to the Swedish Air Force post-war,Swedish researchers have not been able to find what codeletters they wore when serving on 85 Sqn.My guess is as good as yours:Logbook or endorsement? I think I prefer the endorsement.

Stein

[Chris Goss]

....and don't forget I have quite a lot on 165 Sqn, including all of their Diver kills. Did I send you a listing of all Divers shot down by crews based at Manston?

[Brian]

Hi Stein

Thanks for the gen. I note that Erik Fossum flew VY-G when shooting down his three flying bombs. Any idea of the serial? Also of VY-E, VY-F, VY-J, VY-O, VY-P, VY-Q, VY-R, VY-S, VY-W (XVIIs, all of which were involved in V-1 kills)

Hi Chris, I will be getting in touch soon. Thanks (yes, you did send me the Manston details).

Cheers
Brian

[Mieszko]

Hello,

I'm not sure of the date/time/crew off hand, but there is a story of a 307 Sqn Mk30 Mosquito colliding with a V-2 after taking off for a night patrol. The aircraft was destroyed along with the V-2, but the crew survived (baled out).
I'm at work now, but can pass on more info when i get home, if anyone is interested.

Mieszko

[Brian]

Hi Mhuxt - book due out in June (hopefully!) to be published by Grub Street of London. I assume they take credit cards. I will let you know further details asap. Thanks.

Hi Mieszko - thanks, but my book covers V-1 operations only. Sorry!

Cheers
Brian

[mhuxt]

Hi Mieszko:

I'm interested if you have details.

Cheers,

Mark

[Mieszko]

Hello Brian and Mark!

Mark here is what I have;

On Dec. 12th 1944 w/o Sylwester Wieczorek (pilot) and w/o Henryk Ostrowski of 307 Sqn departed Coltishall on a night "intruder" mission to Holand flying a Mosquito Mk30, MV542/EW-Y. At about 300ft they entered clouds and started circling to gain altitude before heading out towards Holland. About 15min after takeoff while still in the clouds they collided with something. The Mosquito fell into a spin, however the pilot was able to regain control and forceland/crash. Both crew members survived and were told by RAF brass that they collided with a V-2. Wieczorek and Ostrowski were credited with destroying a V-2.

The above is was taken from two different books about 307 Sqn. One by Robert Gretzinger, and I forget the author of the other.

This is suppose to be the only V-2 destroyed over England. Dumb luck more than anything else, I suppose.

Cheers,
Mieszko