21 July 1940 Bf110 combat with Spitfire

[Brian]

Hi guys

My latest Battle of Britain query!

On 21 July there occurred an action in which a Bf110 of 2./ErprGr.210 was attacked on its way to Calais by two Spitfires. The aircraft sustained 78 hits although the crew of Habisch and Elfner was unhurt.

However, I can't find any claim or relevant combat by any Spitfire (or Hurricane) unit. Obviously I have missed such documents during my researches at Kew etc.

Hopefully one of our experts will enlighten me, please.

Cheers
Brian

[Frank Olynyk]

Brian,

1013: Me-110 dest, 10 m SE of Middle Wallop, FC3 (C); CR: Air 50/91-63, 82, 119; F/Lt Turner+P/O Davis+P/O Wigglesworth, 238 Sqn (Hurricanes)

1550: Me-110 dam, 15 m SW of Needles, CR: Air 50/91-67&68; F/Lt Walch, 238 Sqn (Hurricane)

1550: Me-110 prob, 15 m SW of Needles, FC3 (U); CR: Air 50/91-78; P/O Considine, 238 Sqn (Hurricane)

1550: Me-110 dest, 15 m SW of Needles, FC3 (C); CR: Air 50/91-67&68; F/Lt Walch, 238 Sqn (Hurricane)

Apparently Walch's claim for a damaged was denied.

Enjoy!

Frank.

[Brian]

Hi Frank

Thanks for that but I do have that information, and as far as I am aware 238 Squadron's action was against Bf110s of V/LG1 from Alencon, whereas ErprGr.210 was based at Denain. Also, the alleged attackers on this occasion were Spitfires.

ErprGr.210's operations were mainly directed along the south-east coast - hence the Spitfire attack was between SE coast and Calais - but I am not aware of a SE-based Spitfire unit in combat with Bf110s!

Hope someone else - Chris, Peter, John? - can advise.

Cheers
Brian

[Chris Goss]

Your assumptions are correct but might I suggest you look at Gp or FC records as there are no other claims for this day that could match

[Brian]

Hi guys

My current belief is that this combat occurred on 20 July not 21st and that the 'Spitfires' were Hurricanes of 32 Squadron!

Cheers
Brian

[harryurz]

Although Habisch later reported they had suffered a single attack by two Spitfires, its prossible the opponents were a section of Hurricanes from No.238 Squadron (F/L DE Turner, P/O JS Wrigglesworth and P/O CT Davis), who collectively claimed a Bf 110 destroyed at 10.25am off the coast near Goodwood.

[Chris Goss]

238 Sqn's combat was too far away from 210's region of operation at this time

[Bruce Lander]

32 Squadron made claims against "Jaguars" around Dover on 20th July ( these may have been Do.17's as "Jaguars" ie; Me110's with a glass nose did not actually exist) and as far as I can see ( Old RAF Records website and Nick Thomas's book on Peter Brothers) 32 did not engage in any combats on 21st July.

Bruce Lander

[John Vasco]

Originally Posted by Bruce Lander

32 Squadron made claims against "Jaguars" around Dover on 20th July ( these may have been Do.17's as "Jaguars" ie; Me110's with a glass nose did not actually exist) and as far as I can see ( Old RAF Records website and Nick Thomas's book on Peter Brothers) 32 did not engage in any combats on 21st July.

Bruce Lander

'Jaguar' was the propaganda name taken up by the British, and many combat reports cite 'Jaguars' being encountered when in fact they were 110s. Two photos are known to me of 110s of Erpr. Gr. 210 with the name 'Jaguar' written on the nose, more out of irony/piss-taking within the unit than any true nomenclature.