12.5.40 Coastal Command and FAA

[robert]

Hi,

I`m looking for following information`s:
on 12.5.40 a three-ship section of 800 FAA Sqn under Lt.Rooper conducted fighter patrol in Norway. I`m looking for combat reoport of this mission
on the same day some Skua planes of 806 FAA Sqn attacked German shipping at Bergen. They were escorted by 3 Blenheim fighters. Which Coastal Command Sqn was involved?

Regards

Robert

[Mark E Horan]

Robert;

The attack on Bergen was initiated by HMS Sparrowhawk (RNAS Hatston) Station OC, Acting Captain C. L. Howe, RN.

At 1000, Lieutenant-Commander Charles Leo Glandore Evans, RN led off six Skuas, each with a single 500 lb. bomb, escorted by PO Beal’s three Blenheim fighters of 254 Squadron, RAF. Unknown to all involved, the target ship, carrying badly needed anti-aircraft artillery to the port and due to arrive at noon, had been identified by ULTRA intercepts.

The aircraft attacked at 1158, catching the target, escorted by two torpedo boats, entering the fjord, but the two sections underestimated the target’s speed and all bombs missed astern. All nine aircraft returned safely.

The fighter patrol in question consisted of three Skuas of 800 Squadron:

6K: Lt. James Anthony Rooper, RN (P), PO(A) Wallace Crawford, RN Fx.76537 (O)
6L: A/S-Lt.(A) Robert Walter Kearsley, RN (P), LA Leslie Charles S. Eccleshall, RN Fx.76334 (TAG)
6M: PO(A) Leslie Edward Burston, RN Kx.87569 (P), LA E. E. Bell, RN Fx76533 (TAG)

The section departed HMS Ark Royal at 0405 to fly a fighter patrol over a convoy escorted by the cruiser HMS Enterprise. At 0735 6M returned aboard with engine trouble. The other two returned aboard at 0855 after a 4 hour and 50 minute patrol. During the patrol, 6K and 6L reported engaging one He-111 and one Do-17.


Hope this helps.

Mark E. Horan

[robert]

Hi Mark,

thanks a lot for these details. I have one question more if any Blenheim fighters were active over Bergen later on this day?

Regards

Robert

[Mark E Horan]

Robert;

Unfortunately, my area of study was the FAA operations during the campaign, not coastal command operations. At the time that I did the research, my access to RAF records was minimal. Thus, I cannot state for sure whether any other 254 Squadron fighter patrols were over Bergen on 12 May, but I strongly suspect the answer is no. The squadron was the only long-range fighter asset available for operations over Norway at the time, and as Bomber Command was conducting virtually 100% of their operations at night by this time, and Coastal Command operations were primarily individual reconnaissance sorties, I can't imagine why the fighters would have been dispatched.

Mark

[robert]

Hi Mark,

thanks a lot. I`m also expecting that no more fighter patrols had been flown later on this day in Bergen area.

Regards

Robert

[Mark E Horan]

Robert;

Bergen, which was nowhere near the British carrier, was being subjected to attacks by the newly operational 806 Squadron operating out of Hatston. By the way, However, HMS Ark Royal did dispatch five other Skua missions during the day (the only Swordfish operations on the 12th were clearing patrols around the ship.)

0405: Two 800 Squadron Skuas were sent to cover the convoy under the protection of HMS Penelope. There were no aerial contacts.

0535: Three 801 Squadron Skuas were sent as relief escort for HMS Enterprise and convoy. There were no aerial contacts.

0535: Three 801 Squadron Skuas were sent as relief escort for HMS Penelope and convoy. There were no aerial contacts.

1725: Three 803 Squadron Skuas were dispatched to bomb railway bridge at Nordalsbroen, but weather forced them to divert to Sildvjik, after which they patrolled patrol over "Allied ships at Belangen". There were no aerial contacts.

1915: Two 800 Squadron Skuas, which were bombed up to have another crack at the bridge, were diverted to patrol over Ofotfjord. They jettisoned their ordnance enroute, but no aerial contacts were made.


Mark

[robert]

Hi Mark,

thanx for additional details. I have PM from me.

Regards

Robert