September 2nd, 1943 - Lille-Merville combat

[Laurent Rizzotti]

USAAF side:
VIII Bomber Command # 1st & 4th Bomb-Wings
RAF 11 Group Ramrod S.24
BRUSSELS/EVÈRE & BEAUVAIS/TILLÉ
17.20 z: 319 (34) B-17 Fortress: unable Target

VIII Bomber Command dispatched five ATFs on 2nd September, 1943, to bomb targets as follows: First ATF against an airdrome north-west of Paris (Beauvais/Tillé) with one CBW. Second ATF against airdromes west of Paris (Évreux/Fauville and Conches) with one CBW; Third ATF against airdromes (Lorient and Vannes) along the southern coast of Brittany with one CBW. Fourth ATF against an airdrome in the Brussels area with two CBWs. And the Fifth ATF against an airdrome on the southern coast of France with one CBW. All attacks were to be made between 18.00 and 19.00 hours. Due to weather and cloud conditions in the vicinity of the targets, the First ATF abandoned its mission over enemy territory; the Second ATF was re-called when information was received that the 1st ATF had abandoned the mission, because this force (2nd ATF) was un-escorted and the bulk of enemy fighters in the area could be directed against it. Third ATF abandoned its mission, when over the French coast, due to weather and cloud conditions. Fourth ATF was unable to find the Primary-Target due to weather and cloud conditions and one Group bombed Dunkirk/Mardyck airdrome, and one Group a target at Valenciènnes/Denain, both being Targets-of-Opportunity. Fifth ATF abandoned the mission when in the vicinity of Brest due to weather and cloud conditions. Ref: VIII FC Narrative of Operations (Air 40/438)

1st ATF Escort-Support:
US 65th FW 4th FG 48 P-47 Thunderbolt 16.40-19.00 FO 120 0 - 0 - 0 n/a 1 Cat.Em Fighter HB-S: Task abandoned

Cat.Em 02.09.43 1/Lt. Dale B. Leaf: KIA 4th FG 334th Sqn. P-47C-2 QP-I JG 2: Formerie

US 66th FW 78th FG 48 P-47 Thunderbolt 16.45-18.40 FO 120 0 - 0 - 0 n/a No casualty HB-S: Task abandoned

4th ATF Escort-Support:
US 66th FW 353rd FG 48 P-47 Thunderbolt 17.46-19.40 FO 120 0 - 0 - 0 n/a No casualty HB-S: Task abandoned

US 65th FW 56th FG 38 P-47 Thunderbolt 17.51-20.15 FO 120 0 - 0 - 0 n/a 2 Cat.Em Fighters HB-S: Task abandoned

Cat.Em 02.09.43 2/Lt. Walter J. Hannigan: KIA 56th FG 63rd Sqn. P-47D-1 42-7934 UN-U FW 190s: S.W. Ghent
Cat.Em 02.09.43 1/Lt. Wilfred A. Van Abel: P/W 56th FG 63rd Sqn. P-47C-5 41-6537 UN-Q FW 190s: Hazebrouck
Cat.E 02.09.43 1/Lt. John W. Vogt: OK 56th FG 63rd Sqn. P-47C-5 41-6375 UN-T Crash-landing Eastchurch


German side:
02.09.43 Ltn. Josef Wurmheller 9./JG 2 P-47  05 Ost S/1034: 1.000 m. 19.05 Film C. 2031/II Anerk: Nr. –
02.09.43 Ltn. Kurt Goltzsch 5./JG 2 Spitfire  05 Ost S/1136: tiefflug 20.12 Film C. 2031/II Anerk: Nr. –
02.09.43 Uffz. Karl Ehret 6./JG 26 P-47  Merville: 7.000 m. 20.18 Film C. 2031/II Anerk: Nr.139
02.09.43 Hptm. Johannes Naumann: 23 ► Stab/JG 26 P-47  Raum Merville: 6.500 m. 20.21 Film C. 2031/II VNE: ASM
02.09.43 Ltn. Dieter Kehl: 2 ► Stab/JG 26 P-47  10 km. E.N.E. Etaples: 7.000 m. 20.25 Film C. 2031/II VNE: ASM
02.09.43 Fw. Wilhelm Mayer: no (n.L., 4) ► 6./JG 26 P-47  Lille-Merville 20.30 Reference: JG 26 MSS

All the above from Tony Wood's files (German hour = Allied hour + 1 hour IIRC)

According to the combat report linked to Hannigan's report, they engaged enemy aircraft at 1910 hrs (Allied time) and at 1921 hrs were bounced by around 20 Fw 190s. Hannigan and van Abel were number 3 and 4 of Col Zemke's flight and were not seen afther the bounce.
See: https://www.fold3.com/image/38294161?terms=hannigan