107 Squadron Malta - 1941

[Andy Saunders]

An elderly resident at my mothers residential care home is related to Plt Off Isaac Paul, Observer, 107 Squadron who was lost on 24 December 1941 flying from Malta which is where he is buried.

Aside from the CWGC his relative has no other details about the loss of her brother and would like to know.

It is out of my sphere, and I have no reference sources that are helping me. However, I am hopeful that someone here can fill in the detail for this elderly lady and make her happy!

[Peter Clare]

Hi Andy,

The following is taken from 'The Bristol Blenheim A Complete History' - Warner

24 December 1941

107 Squadron
Blenheim IV Z9852

Failed to return from a shipping patrol. P/O. I. Paul (Obs) KIA. P/O. G. Mockridge (Pilot) and F/O. J. Ensel (Wop/Ag) survived.

Sorry but there are no more details.

Had a look in 'RAF Bomber Losses in the Middle East and Mediterranean' - Gunby/Temple, and on that day three Blenheim's of 107 Squadron were tasked to attack shipping in Zuara harbour. Although not listed as a loss in this book maybe Z9852 made it back to Malta after this action, as P/O. Paul is buried on Malta.

Regards
Peter

[Henk Welting]

Hello Andy,
I've this airman on board of Blenheim IV serial Z9677 attacking ships in Zuara Harbour. Returned with battle damage and forcelanded on Luqa; P/O PAUL probably fatally injured by enemy action. Blenheim struck off charge; P/O (Pilot) MOCKBRIDGE and F/O (WOp/Ag) ENSEL (sorry no more info on these airmen) survived.
Regards,
Henk.

[Andy Saunders]

Thank you Henk and Peter!

When I see my mother this evening I will take those details with me. Her friend will be most grateful indeed.

[Martin Gleeson]

Hallo all,

I think the serial quoted in the Warner book is incorrect because it was never issued. It fell within a 'blackout block' of unused serial numbers.

Regards,

Martin.

[Andy Saunders]

Thanks to all who helped with information on this - also to Martin for pointing out the serial number anomaly.

The detail was much appreciated by Plt Off Paul's very elderly sister and she asks me to extend her thanks.

[udf_00]

1)

From "Malta : the Hurricane years" ( p355 the last par. of the 24/12/41 entry)

"Meanwhile three Blenheims from 107 Squadron attacked schooners in Zuara
harbour on this date. Two of the bombers were hit, Sgt. E. Crossley's aircraft
crashing, while Plt.Off. I. Paul in the second aircraft was killed by a cannon shell (probably 20mm Flak)"

2)

Pilot's name probably Mockridge rather than Mockbridge :

http://users.cyberone.com.au/clardo/ga_mockridge.html

[Andy Saunders]

Thanks UDF OO!