Indentify this Hampden Bomber

[michel]

Hi All,

Who can help me indentify this Hampder bomber.

I think this plane flow with the 408 Squadron (EQ-A)

If you can help,

Michel

[andy bird]

Going by the date on the photograph which is wrong as that Date, Year in the Hampden Files has AE438 EQ-N

Step into 1942 and you've: The Crew of Hampden 1 AT191,EQ-A of 408 Squadron left their base at Balderton at 22:58 on June 1, 1942. It is claimed that they were shot down by a night-fighter (Lt Karl-Heinz Vollkopf),11,/NJG2).

Link to: http://www.bombercrew.com/408/marlandtrib.htm

Regards

Andy Bird

[Bill Walker]

My notes show AT191 crashed into the Ijsselmeer, with the wreckage being discovered in 1961 when this part of the Ijsselmeer was drained. That doesn't match the photo.

[MW Giles]

If we take the date as correct then the most likely candidate is AE433 of 408 Sqn that took off on the night of 08/09.11.41 for Essen piloted by P/O E L Houghton RNZAF and was shot down at Renkensfort near Maasbree by Oblt Dimter of Stab I/NJG1. The crew were taken prisoner.

The photo would have been taken in daylight the next day.

Chorley gives it the code EQ-D, but it is possible he is wrong

The last 408 Sqn loss before 08/11/41 was on 22/10/41 so is unlikely

Obviously if the day is wrong...

Martin

[Chris Goss]

No leaves on the trees would indicate early Winter which could favour AE433 not AE438

[Col Bruggy]

Hello,

Here is the rear fuselage of AE433 http://www.rafweb.org/images/Hampden%20tail.jpg

Looks like a "D" to me!

See also: http://www.rafweb.org/Squadrons/Sqn400-410.htm

Col

[Alex Smart]

Hello Michel,
For what its worth,

Hampden file has AE433 as EQ-S

As for a few "A's"
25/26-1-1942
AD782 - Op Brest -EQ-A
27/28-3-1942
AT176 - Op Gardening - EQ-A
15/16-5-1942
AT224 - Op Gardening - EQ-A
1/2-6/1942
AT191 - Op Essen - EQ-A
21/22-7-1942
AT139 - Op Duisburg - EQ-A
29-7-1942
AT113 - Op Air Test - EQ-A

Details from Chorley BCL vol3 and AB's Hampden File.

Others that no letter seems to be known -
AD754 - 21/22-1-1942
AD842 - 8/9-3-1942
AE139 - 25/26-3-1942
AT186 - 11-4-1942
AT120 - 12/13-4-1942
AT141 - 14/15-4-1942
AE426 - 28/29-4-1942
P5334 - 26/27-7-1942
AE177 - 28/29-8-1942
AT143 - 28/29-8-1942
AE385 - 12-9-1942

Alex

[Bill Walker]

Some additions/corrections to Alex's list:

AD754 was EQ*Y
AE177 was not used, part of a black our block
AE385 was with 420 Sdn when lost, PT*L
P5334 was EQ*Q

[Alex Smart]

Hello Bill,

Thanks for correction AE177, should have read AE197, my typo error -again

Re AE385,
Hampden file has -
44/420/408 - 12.9.42- Stalled dived into ground Balderton.

Choreley BCLvol3 has -
12 Sep 1942 - 408 Sqn - Hampden I - AE385 - EQ- - Training
Sgt G M Frame RCAF +
F/S W G Keogh RCAF +
T/o Balderton for circuit practice, stalled and crashed 2123, bursting into flames, just over 2 miles NE of the airfield. Both airmen are buried in Newark-upon-Trent Cemetery.
Note: This was the last Hampden written off by an operational Bomber Command squadron.

Also both crewmen are recorded as 408 Sqn in CWGC lists.

All the best
Alex

[Bill Walker]

Thanks Alex;

I have just got access to the 408 Squadron records for this period, now that LAC is putting so many RCAF records on line. The 408 ORB for 12 September 1942 confirms that AE385 was with 408 Sdn when lost, and that its individual letter was "L".

Take a look at http://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oo...4/1829?r=0&s=2 , image #1829

Finally, my notes have AE197 as "EQ*N".