1.(F)/123 against Spitfires on 3 May 1942

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Hello,

In the morning of 3 May 1942 a patrol of two Spitfires of 452 Sqn RAAF saw and attacked a Ju 88 off Fleetwood, England. Plt Off Lamerton attacked it and claimed to have damaged it and silenced the rear gunner, but his own Spitfire (AD537, ORB gives false serial of AB198) was set on fire and he bailed out over the sea, being rescued 6 hours later. The other Australian pilot, Sgt Basset, expended all his ammunition and thought he had hit the wings of the Ju 88.

A third Spitfire joined the battle. It was a Spitfire of 315 (Polish) Sqn. Two of them had been ordered to scramble from Woodvale but one had engine trouble. The 315 Sqn ORB reported the fight with the following words:
"After manouevring above the Hun, Blue 1 was able to attack with cannon and m.g., as a result of which black smoke poured from e/a’s port engine. Blue 1 gave chase, firing as opportunity presented itself, his last burst being at 50 yds. range. E/a was losing height rapidly, and was last seen within 2 ft. of the sea. Blue 1 followed to within 6 ft. of sea level, but was forced to break away, owing to exhaustion of ammunition and serious petrol depletion. E/a claimed as destroyed; pilot F/O Stembrowicz. Note: Rear gunner shot pink tracer bullets."

Despite the Polish claim, the Ju 88 was only awarded as damaged, and shared between Lamberton and Stembrowicz.

In Tony Wood's claimlists, there is this day a claim by an Ofw Hünd of 1.(F)/123 for a Spitfire shot down at 5000 m in Barrow Deep area. No time is given, but I guess it is the same action.

I would like to any details of this action from the German side. Especially if 1;(F)/123 reported any damage or casualty this day. I would also like to know the full name of Ofw Hünd.

Thanks in advance

Laurent