V-1 flying bombs

[mhuxt]

Thanks Mieszko.

Cheers,

Mark

[George Hopp]

Both crew members survived and were told by RAF brass that they collided with a V-2. Wieczorek and Ostrowski were credited with destroying a V-2.

Do you really mean V-2? Perhaps V-1, but destroying a V-2 would truly have been something!! In fact, it would have been unique.

[Kutscha]

Originally Posted by Mieszko

Hello Brian and Mark!

Mark here is what I have;

On Dec. 12th 1944 w/o Sylwester Wieczorek (pilot) and w/o Henryk Ostrowski of 307 Sqn departed Coltishall on a night "intruder" mission to Holand flying a Mosquito Mk30, MV542/EW-Y. At about 300ft they entered clouds and started circling to gain altitude before heading out towards Holland. About 15min after takeoff while still in the clouds they collided with something. The Mosquito fell into a spin, however the pilot was able to regain control and forceland/crash. Both crew members survived and were told by RAF brass that they collided with a V-2. Wieczorek and Ostrowski were credited with destroying a V-2.

The above is was taken from two different books about 307 Sqn. One by Robert Gretzinger, and I forget the author of the other.

This is suppose to be the only V-2 destroyed over England. Dumb luck more than anything else, I suppose.

Cheers,
Mieszko

Sorry but this sounds like a 'tall' tale. A collison between the Mossie and an object weighing at least 10,000lb and doing some 2500mph only put the Mossie into a spin. ???

I have 307 based at Church Fenton in Dec 1944. It was not based at Coltishall til May 1945.

[mhuxt]

Thanks Alex:

Details duly added.

Cheers,

Mark

[Franek Grabowski]

Originally Posted by Kutscha

I have 307 based at Church Fenton in Dec 1944. It was not based at Coltishall til May 1945.

There was a detachment at Coltishall since Autumn 1944.

[BIGVERN1966]

Originally Posted by Mieszko

Hello Brian and Mark!

Mark here is what I have;

On Dec. 12th 1944 w/o Sylwester Wieczorek (pilot) and w/o Henryk Ostrowski of 307 Sqn departed Coltishall on a night "intruder" mission to Holand flying a Mosquito Mk30, MV542/EW-Y. At about 300ft they entered clouds and started circling to gain altitude before heading out towards Holland. About 15min after takeoff while still in the clouds they collided with something. The Mosquito fell into a spin, however the pilot was able to regain control and forceland/crash. Both crew members survived and were told by RAF brass that they collided with a V-2. Wieczorek and Ostrowski were credited with destroying a V-2.

The above is was taken from two different books about 307 Sqn. One by Robert Gretzinger, and I forget the author of the other.

This is suppose to be the only V-2 destroyed over England. Dumb luck more than anything else, I suppose.

Cheers,
Mieszko

Theres nothing about this incident in Coltishall's ORB for that date and there the only Mosquito units mentioned are 68 Sqn and 125 Sqn.

The Royal Navy also detached Firefly NF1s from 746 SQN (NFDU/NFIU) at Ford to Coltishall to assist the Anti He111/V1 operations. One was scrambled on the evening of the 13th December 1944 from Coltishall to go after 3 or four contacts picked up that looked like He 111s/V1 combos. (The pilot's name is unreadable on the Coltishall F540, but the Observer/Radar Operator was a Lt Davies). Anybody have any details of the Coltishall Fireflies?

[Alex Smart]

Hello Brian,

Don't know if you have this already.
But AFAIK this pilot has never been credited as an ace although he had more than 5 plus 5 V1's to his credit.
Dates for V1 kills
May 9th 44 in a Beau VI - WM-Y
July 23rd 44 in a Mosquito XVII - WM-L
August 16th 44 in a Mosquito XIX - WM-Y
August 16th again in a Mosquito XIX - WM-Y
September 9th 44 in a Mosquito XVII - WM-N
Details as per Log book.
Same crew each kill, Harvey and Southerland.
I dont know how many were stopped on the dates given.
All for now
Alex

[mhuxt]

Hi Alex:

Do you have crew ranks and initials for the above? Is 68 Squadron the correct unit?

TIA,

Mark

[Brian]

Hi Alex

The Harvey/Sutherland crew are completely unknown to me! Yet, you say you have a copy of Harvey's logbbook? I don't think he would have got a V-1 on 9 May unless he encountered one during a test launch - the V-1 assault against the UK didn't commence until 12/13 June, although a Tempest pilot did shoot down one over the French coast in May (a test launch)

As Mark requested, can you provide more details?

Cheers
Brian

[Alex Smart]

Hello Brian,

First off, I said that details as per log book. I never said that I had log book. Harvey's son has that. And if you contact him I know he will be of help.I will send you mail with his e address.

Hello Mark,

Re 68 Squadron From Fairwood Common. W. Sutherland was at the time noted as a Flight Lieutenant as was Albert. Brenton. Harvey.