180 Sqn B25 losses 13th March 1945

[Laurent Rizzotti]

This is what the book 2nd Tactical Air Force. Vol.3 by Shores/Thomas says (the narrative text had been modified to integrate the serials and other data set in the daily tables after the text:

"Around midday a formation of Mitchells from 98, 180 and 226 Sqn, accompanied by Boston of 137 Wing, set off to bomb Lenhrich marshalling yards, escorted by Spitfires from 74 and 340 (French) Sqn, leg by Wg Cdr Sampson, the 145 Wing leader. East of Wesel Bf 109s of 14./JG 27 attacked, Fw Otto Kienle shooting down one of the 180 Sqn bombers, the Mitchell II HD307 (four crew killed) while Uffz Sepperl shot down Capt Olivier Massart of 340 Sqn, who managed to force-land his Spitfire XVI TB297 near Bocholt and became a prisoner.

The escort claimed one Bf 109 shot down (by Wg Cdr Sampson), one probable (By Flt Sgt M de Reynal of 340 Sqn) and three damaged (by Lt J Carre, Flt Sgt D Boudard and Cpt Massart, all of 340 Sqn), all in Bocholt area, but on this occassion JG 27 seem to have got away without loss."

By the way, it was rather rare that medium bombers of 2 Group RAF were shot down or even hit by German fighters so late in the war.