Fw190s intercept Beaus 20Nov42

[andy bird]

On the 20th November 1942 as the fledgling North Coates Wing raced in to attack the southbound convoy off Rotterdam four Fw190 fighters intercepted them. Claiming one 'kill,' and damaging others.

Does anyone know which Jagdeschwader it was, and the pilots names who made the claim.

As I my copy of Nesbits Strike Wings is out on loan.

With Thanks in advance

Andy Bird
http://andrewdbird.com

[Chris Goss]

Strangely CC Instum missed this combat but Uffz Schmid of 5./JG 1 claimed a Beaufort at 1608 hrs 75 km west of Zandvoort. No German losses from this unit

[andy bird]

Cheers Chris much appreciated.
Andy B.

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Hello Andy.

From my own version of "Strike Wings" (Nesbit):
"25 Beaufighters (9 Torbeaus from 254 Squadron, led by W/C R. E. X. Mack) and their escort of 2 Spitfire Squadrons - which did not materialize (would like to know which Squadrons were scheduled for that air support) took off to attack ships near the Dutch border. The Anti-Flak Beaufighter section was led by W/C H D Fraser (OC 236 Squadron).

The two formation Split (254 and 236 Squadrons) just before the attack. IT seems there were Flak (Kriegsmarine) claims and also claims from II/JG 1, which damaged the Beaufighter flown by F/O G. D. Sise. (who crash-landed nedar Frinton-on-Sea - ARE THERE ANY PICTURES OF THAT CRASH???)

The main transport ship was not sunk, although the BS.4 (449 tons) was (probably by the Torbeaus).

236 Squadron lost S/L George A. Edney and W/C Fraser. There were two other Beaufighters damaged (254 Squadron's machine flown by Sise) and ND*F, serial X8037 flown by P/O M. Bateman (236 Squadron).

I do have a great admiration and interest on Strike Missions. Those were great airmen...I was very privileged to have contacted some of those airmen from 248, 235, 236 Squadrons, back in early 2000's.

Most sincerely yours
Adriano

[Chris Goss]

I have checked another record. No other fighter claims apart from Schmid's and a note that it was a 236 Sqn Beaufighter

[andy bird]

Hi Chris and Adriano,

Thank you for your help. The info will go into the 'Prologue' for Strike Wings - The Race To Smash Enemy Shipping.

As custodian of copies of Jimmy Rogers, Ray Price, Sam McHardy, John Yonge, Jackson-Smith, and Parkinson's diaries feel the need to get something down on paper.

Andy B