Storch forced down by Meteor

[alex crawford]

Hi,

Would anyone have any details of a Storch that was forced down by a 616 Squadron Meteor on 2nd May 1945?

From what I can gather a Meteor, EE243 YQ-F, flown by Fly Off Stodhart encountered the Storch during a patrol. The Storch pilot flew too slowly for the Meteor pilot to get in an effective shot. Eventually the Storch pilot landed and the Meteor then destroyed the aircraft on the ground.

Any help would be appreciated.

Alex

[Chris Goss]

Chances of such records still existing as the incident was so late in the war especially when the pilot appears to have got away is remote. I have the RAF pilot at Fg Off A Stodhard but according to Graham Pitchfork's history of 616 Sqn, this occurred 3 May 45 at Schonberg and the pilots were Wg Cdr W E Schrader and Flt Lt Tony Jennings?

[alex crawford]

Hi Chris,

Thanks for your reply. I wasn't sure if any info would be available of this incident but thought I'd give it a try.

Wg Cdr Schrader and Flt Lt Jennings did claim a Storch on 3rd during a strike on Schonberg airfield. They also claimed 2 Ju87s, 2 He111s and a single Bf109 as well.

Info from 616 Sqn ORB.

Alex

[Chris Goss]

All he mentions in the book is destroying transport on 2 May 45

[knusel]

Good evening Gentlemen,

check you this appealing article
https://www.keymilitary.com/article/meteors-over-reich

Cheers,

Michael

[Adriano Baumgartner]

So,

Was F/O Stodhart credited with an aerial victory or ground victory (destroyed on the ground), on the 2nd May 1945? Is there a File AIR 50 for that combat sortie?

A.

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by Adriano Baumgartner

So,

Was F/O Stodhart credited with an aerial victory or ground victory (destroyed on the ground), on the 2nd May 1945? Is there a File AIR 50 for that combat sortie?

A.

The list is online: https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...ro=any&_st=adv

[Adriano Baumgartner]

This is the point Nick...there is NOTHING for Stodhart, or May 1945 claims when you use the SEARCH facilities.

This is why I asked...maybe the Combat Report exist, but it is not there...

A.

[Brian Bines]

Could not find much but the 616 ORB online says on the 3rd W/C Schrader and F/L Jennings attacked the airstrip at Schonberg destroying 6 a/c including the Storch on the ground . A quote from 616 squadron diary online says the CO and Tony Jennings destroyed two He 111s , two Ju 87s and a Me 109 at Schönberg. On the return to base Tony saw and attacked a Storch which eventualy landed with the pilot and a second person getting out and running away . Tony destroyed the aircraft but made no attempt to kill the pilot .

Regards
Brian Bines

Sources - 616 Sqd ORB from PRO - online
Royal Air Force Historical Society Journal 53 pages 47, 48 - online

Found the 616 ORB again and although its hard to read it looks like a Storch was destroyed on the ground on the 2nd , its just shows F/O Stodhart , F/L Jennings ,P/O Miller and W/O Wilkins followed by Storch destroyed on the ground .

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Brian Bines, thank you for your answer and the information from the ORB.

I guess you answered my doubt: I thought that since the Fi 156 was initially flying and was forced to land (thankfully for the LW airmen it could land pretty slow and in a short space) and was later destroyed on the ground; my doubt was HOW was it "officially" claimed (or could be claimed) by the RAF airman?

Shot down? Destroyed on the ground (ground victory)?

Since there is no recorded "Combat Report" from F/O Stodhart for the 2nd May 1945 on Files AIR 50 (which I understand and comprehend that it was ONLY filled for Air Victories), his claim was, as you quoted from the ORB, officially registered as one "destroyed on the ground".

Thank you for your clarification.

A.