Blenheim R3665 lost 13/14 July 1940

[Brian]

Hi guys

R3665 of 59 Squadron crashed into the sea off Saltdean (near Brighton) in the early hours of 13/14 July 1940. P/O Harold Clark and his crew were killed and their bodies recovered.

It was believed that the Blenheim was shot down by a night fighter. German or British?

Any further information available, please?

Cheers
Brian

[Martin Gleeson]

Brian,

As far as I can tell there is no evidence that R3665 was shot down or even engaged by a fighter. There is no possible matching claim on the Tony Woods lists and the excellent Vol. 1 of 'NACHTJAGD WAR DIARIES' by Theo Boiten and Rod Mackenzie reveals no claims were made by the nightfighter crews between July 9th and 20th. The 59 Squadron ORB records that TR-P (R3665) was "believed shot down by fighters" but that is hardly proof. The target was Bruges in Belgium where searchlight and flak activity was noted by a returning crew.

Bar evidence to the contrary it seems flak or mechanical failure were the most likely reasons for its loss. Possibly lost or out of fuel too as it had been airborne for just over three and a half hours. the latter all the more likely if it had been damaged.

Does anyone know of any flak claims for that night ?

Regards,

Martin.

[Alex Smart]

Hello,
Which Blenheim's were downed on the 13th ?
1 claimed by Ofw Gustav Denk - 6/JG 52 - North Sea, NW of Borkum - 1950 hrs.
and
1 claimed by Ltn Hermann Behrend - Stab /JG 1 - Brunsbúttelkoog (?) - 1945 hrs.

I found four for the 13th L9474 ("PZ-L", 53 Sqn, cr in UK); R3701 ("UX-R") and R3756 ("UX-C)", 82 Sqn; R3597 ("HA- ", 218 Sqn, cr in UK).
One for the 13/14th, R3665, 59 Sqn subject of this thread.
One for the 14th (N3551 "PZ-E", 53 Sqn, Belgium).

Alex