Blenheim U-MK lost at Brest

[RudiS]

I have this picture in my collection. It says at the back it landed in Brest, possibly in 1942.
Does anybody have anymore information about the plane, crew and the circumstances of the emergency landing?

Thanks in advance,
Rudi.

[Chris Goss]

It is a 500 sqn ac which had Blenheim IVs from Apr to Nov 41 only. I am sure a Coastal Command expert will be able to figure this out

[rafcommands]

Hi Gents,

Not 1942, by this time the Squadron had converted to Hudson but I have seen this scene before.

This is Z6163 which on 28/09/41 was listed as missing over Northern France having taken off from Bircham Newton.

Although listed as Cat.E in Form 78 the aircraft fails to appear in the squadron ORB and so far I have failed to name the crew.

Regards
Ross

[RudiS]

That's great, Chris & Ross. Thanks a lot for your help. It's very much appreciated.

Regards,
Rudi.

[Chris Goss]

Ross: I will ask the AHB when I get back to work

[rafcommands]

Cheers Chris.

R
Ross

[brewerjerry]

Originally Posted by rafcommands

Hi Gents,

Not 1942, by this time the Squadron had converted to Hudson but I have seen this scene before.

This is Z6163 which on 28/09/41 was listed as missing over Northern France having taken off from Bircham Newton.

Although listed as Cat.E in Form 78 the aircraft fails to appear in the squadron ORB and so far I have failed to name the crew.

Regards
Ross

Hi Ross,
I got the following info, not sure from where.

'The pilot of Z6163 was Plt Off NZ402214 Francis Reece, PoW , a/c on op to St Nazaire.'

I thought the a/c took off from Harrowbeer Airfield not Bircham Newton.
If correct this could this explain why it is not in the Squadron ORB as the Sq had a detachment at Harrowbeer from 15 sep to 6 Oct 41.
Cheers
Jerry

[RudiS]

Thanks for that information, Jerry. Very much appreciated.

Here is the complete picture if anybody is interested. It doesn't show more details I'm afraid.

At the back "Abgeschossene Engl. Bomber" is written in modern german, not in Sutterlin, meaning "downed englisch bomber".
At a later stage "near Brest" was added.

Regards,
Rudi.

[rafcommands]

Cheers Jerry,

Certainly possible as it would explain why no mention in the Group ORB thst I looked at as well.

Regards
Ross

[brewerjerry]

Hi All,
Forgot to mention.
A historic photo,( if it can be confirmed the a/c did take off from harrowbeer), as this would be the first operational loss from the airfield.
And thanks for posting the full scan, nice photo.
cheers
Jerry