Identity of Short Stirling rear gunner taken prisoner of war on 2/3 September 1942 following air combat over Northern France?

[Theo Boiten]

Thanks a lot for your helpful and interesting replies. Geoffrey also shared with me the info on the participating Stirling Squadrons on 2/3 September 1942, and it appears that 218 Squadron Stirling DJ976 was the only Stirling that reported a sharp encounter with a night fighter, escaped but the mid upper gunner baled out over enemy territory.

I have checked the TNA websitte but alas the Combat Report for this incident is not digitised yet; does anybody happen to have this one? I hope this will shed more light on the location/time of the incident. One of the crew members was killed in the encounter.

AIR 81/17721
Sergeant S V Reeves: prisoner of war; Sergeant F Rogers: killed; remaining crew unnamed: uninjured; Stirling DJ976, 218 Squadron, aircraft was engaged by the enemy on an operational flight over Karlsruhe, Germany, 3 September 1942

Cheers and thanks, Theo

[Steve Smith]

Theo,

Reeves was captured at Seviscourt a few miles south of St Hubert, Belgium. He did not bail out over the target as reported.

Steve

[Theo Boiten]

Thanks Steve -that really does fit to the German night fighter report. What was the extent of damage to the Stirling?

Cheers, Theo

[Chris Goss]

Nothing recorded in the F540 unless it is in the Appendices. Landed at West Raynham though at 0410hrs

[Theo Boiten]

Cheers for that Chris!

[Steve Smith]

Originally Posted by Theo Boiten

Thanks Steve -that really does fit to the German night fighter report. What was the extent of damage to the Stirling?

Cheers, Theo

Theo,

Extensive damage by the look of it.

03/09/42 Cat Ac/FB
17/09/42 ROS
Recat B
16/11/42 RIW/Sebro
26/02/43 AW/CN

Steve

[Theo Boiten]

Thanks Steve! Cheers, Theo