The strange story of the Blenheims of 82 Squadron.

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by AndreasB

For October onwards AIR24/908 is only a monthly summary with no detail on sorties.

All the best

Andreas

Actually, there's more than that. The few pages I photographed (from Summer 1942) include detailed lists of aircraft movements through Malta, aircraft casualties (with date, type, serial numer and circumstances), honours & awards to personnel, and timetables of the escorts provided to a convoy on 14 and 15 June.

[sergey]

Originally Posted by Nick Beale

Actually, there's more than that. The few pages I photographed (from Summer 1942) include detailed lists of aircraft movements through Malta, aircraft casualties (with date, type, serial numer and circumstances), honours & awards to personnel, and timetables of the escorts provided to a convoy on 14 and 15 June.

We are talking about the Naples-Tripoli convoy from June 25 to 29, 1941. I drew attention to this story because, despite the categorical order of the Command and the presence of a large number of Blenheims of the 82nd Squadron in Malta, the convoy was not attacked by them either during the sea crossing or during the temporary stop in Taranto on June 26-27.

https://conlapelleappesaaunchiodo.bl...6/esperia.html

Three or four (!) Marylands of 69 Squadron, armed with 500-pound bombs, were used as a strike force. 82's attack on this convoy did not occur until June 30, when 6 Blenheims attacked liners in Tripoli harbor, hitting the Esperia with... 25-pound bombs!

There is no explanation for these events in either the Malta Diaries or the Admiralty Diaries.

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by sergey

We are talking about the Naples-Tripoli convoy from June 25 to 29, 1941.

Yes, I know that. I was just answering Andreas' point about what was on a particular file.

[sergey]

I looked at the War Diary for June 1941 for 69 Squadron. It states that the convoy's departure from Taranto was spotted by a Maryland reconnaissance aircraft on the evening of June 27th. On June 28th, Maryland reconnaissance aircraft spotted the convoy heading south before noon. But the Blenheims didn't attack it again (they didn't even take off)! The next morning, 10 miles from Tripoli, three Marylands dropped bombs on the convoy, but nine Blenheims failed to find it and bombed a coastal target. That evening, the Marylands bombed Tripoli harbor, and five Blenheims bombed Salman airfield!
It seems that aircraft with completely inexperienced crews were sent to Malta, and command decided not to throw them into an attack against a strong convoy to avoid heavy losses. So, the problem was probably with the crews.

[AndreasB]

Originally Posted by Nick Beale

Actually, there's more than that. The few pages I photographed (from Summer 1942) include detailed lists of aircraft movements through Malta, aircraft casualties (with date, type, serial numer and circumstances), honours & awards to personnel, and timetables of the escorts provided to a convoy on 14 and 15 June.

Oh yes sorry, I was purely referring to sortie detail in the context of this discussion, but you are right to point this out. Agreed there's a wealth of information in other aspects even earlier than what you have, although at least for the early month the a/c casualties are not included.

All the best

Andreas