Possible claim for damaged Fw 190 by 226 or 320 Sqns 21 Jan 44

[phasselgren]

Hi,

On 21 January 1944 during Ramrod 468 the target for 226 and 320 Squadrons was La Guisemont but they failed to bomb the target due to a navigational error. 2 Group R.A.F. – A complete history, 1936-1945 by Michael J.F. Bowyer describes an attack by Luftwaffe fighters on these units:

“A few Fw 190s broke through the fighter screen concentrating their fire on FV919-M number five in the second box. Two of the crew were wounded and so too was Flt. Sgt. E.D. Moon in the gunner’s compartment. Flt. Sgt. K.C. Brown, number four aircraft’s gunner, quickly opened fire from about 100 yards managing a hit on a fighter.”

There is no surviving combat report from any of these units and no claim is mentioned in 2nd Tactical Air Force Vol 1, by Christopher Shores and Chris Thomas. To hit an enemy aircraft is not the same as to damage and it is possible that no claim was made but I would be grateful if anyone could add some information about this combat and if a claim was made.

Regards,
Peter