Spitfire VcT 04.05.1944. Doli (Croatia) W/O Stenning

[Tom Semenza]

Hi Drew,

Interesting and vivid description of the SM.82 encounter. In the the RAF Commands Forum thread I previously sited, Ian (Adelaide) noted the following claim:

"7 Apr 44 F/O JJL Houle & F/O HJ Wilks & F/O WV Whittaker & P/O DC Goudie & W/O A Stening (RAAF) 1 SM82 conf"

This would certainly fit the account, but once again no such claim is mentioned in the ORB for these pilots. All five pilots mentioned were part of a mid afternoon bomber escort. Stening was flying EF750 on 7 April. Does his log book give a/c codes?

While the possibility of the SM.82 being a Co-belligerent cannot be dismissed, the following is interesting. On an earlier mission the same day F/L A.W. Watson of 253 claimed a SM.82 on an "armed recce" from 07:10 to 08:30. This claim is mentioned in the ORB although it does not specifically say that it was credited to Watson alone. In the narrative for 7 April found in A History of the Mediterranean Air War, Vol. 4 is the following:

"Flt Lt Watson of 253 Squadron claimed to have shot down an S.82 west of Marina di Pisa. LKS records show the loss of two S.81s on this date."

The SM.81 and 82, both being tri-motors, were often misidentified. So there were two verified losses but no indication as to cause.

Regards,
Tom