Flak Claims 27 April 1944

[Chris Goss]

Has anyone got a mention of Flak shooting down a British bomber off Leucate (west of Marseille) on the early hours of 27 April 1944? I have a note that the Germans did shoot one down and there are no nightfighter claims. Refers to the loss of Halifax of 624 Sqn, 3 of its crew being washed ashore later

[Nick Beale]

Nothing for 17 April in the Jafü Süd material at the Bundesarchiv (RL 8/80).

[Chris Goss]

Nick-it is 27 April..............?

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by Chris Goss

Nick-it is 27 April..............?

Oops. Nothing for the 27th, either.

[Marcel Hogenhuis]

Hello

I checked RL 5/1449_0291 and there is a claim on a Halifax on 27th April 1944, 01.59 hours by a unit 102/XII but can't identify the location which seems a French name. Searching 102/XII on www.ww2.dk one of the hits refers to

Flak Regiment 86
1.6.44 in Narbonne under 5. Flak-Brigade, with gem.356 (v), gem.343 (v), gem.901 (v), le.983 (v), Sw.220 (v), Sw.468 (v), Lsp.102 (v) and 12 leichte Alarm-Bttr. (78./XII, 85./XII, 98./XII, 100./XII, 102./XII, 104./XII, 108./XII, 110./XII, 114./XII, 115./XII, 117./XII, 125./XII)

Narbonne is very near Leucate so this might be the claim you are looking for.
Please send me a mail ( marcelhogenhuis@gmail.com ) if you want me to send the image of RL 5/1449.

Best regards, Marcel

[Chris Goss]

Thanks Marcel. As you know Narbonne is very close to where the 3 bodies of the crew were discovered

[Col Bruggy]

Hi Chris,

You mention 3 (three) crew of No.624 Squadron Halifax JN960 being washed ashore later. I can only locate 2 (two), Could you please name the three individuals?

Season's Greetings,

Col Bruggy.

[Chris Goss]

I have a copy of the French Police report which states the body of a "British officer" as washed ashore at Leucate start of May 1944, another one was found on the beach at Leucate 18 October 1944 and then on 11 June 1945, a skeleton was found in a minefield at Leucate and on the body was a lighter with the initials KNW=Sgt K N Ward. I believe Ward and Sgt D Gemmel were moved to Marseille plus the unidentified buried at Leucate

[Col Bruggy]

Chris,

Thanks for the additional information on a third party involvement.

Col.