Blenheim L9325

[Lockehaven]

Hello Guys,

Does anyone have any information regarding the circumstances of Blenheim L9325's loss on 21st May 1940 over Arras France whilst on a reconnaisance mission? I know the general information about the aircraft, the crew and mission, but I'm specifically interested in the suggestion that it was a friendly fire incident. The Roll of Honour at Halton specifies that the aircraft was shot downby an RAF hurricane.

Does anyone know where this information originated? and what Hurricane squadron/pilot was involved? Any ORB information available?

Any assistance would be appreciated.

Lockehaven

[RossGmann]

Check the following link http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=16572

Kind regards

Ross

[Peter Cornwell]

Research has moved on since that thread. I currently have this loss listed so:

18 Squadron, Watton Reconnaissance

Blenheim IV L9325. Failed to return from sortie of the Douai – Arras – Amiens - Abbeville sector 2.00 p.m. Crashed and burned out near Priez Farm, Combles. P/O C. Light, Sgt A.E. Craig, and Sgt G. Hawkins all missing. Aircraft lost.
The remains of this crew were buried as three ‘Unknowns’ at nearby Rancourt Cemetery and never formally identified. They therefore remain officially ‘Missing’ and are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

[Lockehaven]

Thanks for this info, but can anyone shed light on the friendly fire element of the story? I am particularly interested in any details of the Hurricane squadron or pilot that may have been involved.

Thanks,

Lockehaven

[alcluith]

Lockehaven
I have from the 615 Sqn on May 16.
Shortly after take off newly attached P/O Grassick attacked what he believed to be a Ju88, which turned out to be a Blenheim, which crash landed after the attack.

So I guess L9325 was not the only one, or maybe it was mistaken for the above incident.

regards

Alcluith

[Bruce Lander]

Hi,

check out " Blue On Blue - Volume 1" by Brian Cull ( on Amazon), it gives details of virtually all friendly fire incidents 1939 -40 in N.Europe - Allied and Axis.
L.9325 was probably a victim of either 54 or 74 Squadrons !

cheers

Bruce Lander

[Lockehaven]

Thanks for the further info guys. Bruce, you mention 57 and 74 sqn as possible candidates..... but what about 229 sqn and 253 sqn? both are mentioned in Peter Cornwell's excellent book TBoFTaN as patrolling the Arras area on the date in question. Could they also be in the running? The Blenheim's crash location near Combles suggests that L9325 was probably engaged in the Arras area, based on the planned route of their sortie. I'm intrigued to know how this whole friendly fire element to the story got started? Would there have been an official inquiry conducted during or after the war?

A lot of questions I know. Where can we find the answers I wonder??

Regards,

Lockehaven

[Peter Cornwell]

I cannot vouch for this being a so-called 'friendly fire' incident nor do I have any idea where the suggestion first originated or on what evidence it may be based. All I am sure of is that the aircraft crashed and burned out at Combles in the early afternoon of 21 May 1940 having taken-off from Watton at noon.

Any connection with claims filed by No.54 and No.74 Squadrons seems difficult to reconcile given the timing/location of this loss. My present understanding is that No.54 Squadron did log an unconfirmed claim for a Ju88 between Calais and Dunkirk at 1.57 p.m. while No.74 Squadron filed several claims but also over Calais and all around 7.20 p.m.

[Lockehaven]

Thank you for your input Peter, perhaps this is just one of those occasions where the truth will never be conclusively proven. Of the two incidents that you mention the 54 Sqn claim is obviously the stronger candidate. Were there any Ju88s lost or damaged on that date and in that area that would substantiate the 54 Sqn claim?

Regards,

Lockehaven

[Peter Cornwell]

These are the only Ju88 losses I currently have listed on 21 May 1940. As you see, there is one that I believe could relate to that claimed by No.54 Squadron.

3.(F)/121 Junkers Ju88A-1. Starboard engine set alight in attacks by Adj Richardin, Sgt Roquerbe, and Lt Trezebinski of GC II/1 during photo-reconnaissance of roads south of Amiens. Also attacked by S/Lt Faisandier, Sgt Bayle of GC II/9, abandoned over Estrées-St-Denis, and crashed at Remy 12.30 p.m. BF Uffz Richard Bomsdorf and BM Obergefr Willi Sauer both killed, BO Lt Hans Wittmeyer baled out but killed, FF Lt Otto Nitschke baled out and captured wounded in shoulder – later released. Aircraft 100% write-off.

4.(F)/121 Junkers Ju88A-1. Forced-landed near Saargemünd due to electrical trouble and engine failure. Crew unhurt. Aircraft fired by crew 100% write-off.

9./LG1 Junkers Ju88A-1. Crash-landed near Cambrai and possibly that attacked by F/L Leathart of No.54 Squadron west of Boulogne 1.57 p.m. BS Gefr Herbert Rose badly injured - admitted to hospital in Cambrai, BO Uffz Gottfried Jakubowski, BF Fw Friedrich-Karl Meinshausen, and FF Uffz Richard Tilsner all slightly injured. Aircraft 100% write-off.

(Source: The Battle of France Then & Now)

If one accepts the 'friendly fire' theory (basis unknown to me) and was determined to try and make a case for it, then, as has already been suggested, it may prove more fruitful to examine claims filed by No.229 Squadron between Boulogne and Amiens at 2.15 p.m. that day ?