Z1007 shot down off Cyprus 6 June 1943

[Brian]

Hi guys

Another query!

I have a note that a Z1007 was shot down by Hurricanes from Cyprus on 6 June 1943.

Has anyone any information? Unit, fate of crew etc.

Many thanks
Brian

[Frank Olynyk]

Brian,
The only Z.1007bis claimed on this day in my database was shot down by a Beaufighter VIf "E" of 46 Sqn, in the St Jean - Haifa area. Crew was F/Lt O Hooker and Sgt E H Chambers. Info is from the ORB.

Enjoy!

Frank.

[Brian]

Hi Frank

Good to hear from you.

One query generally sporns another!

My notes suggest that on 6 June 1943, a Spitfire of 127 Squadron damaged a Z1007 that was finished off by two Hurricanes of 238 Squadron from Cyprus.

So, were two Z1007s lost on this date?

Cheers
Brian

[Frank Olynyk]

Brian,
I have a victory catagorized only as "June 1943" for two Hurricane IIb's of 127 Squadron, according to the 238 Sqn ORB. They claimed a Cant Z.1007 at Cyprus, exact date unknown. The pilots were P/O R W Bunyon and Sgt Hilton D R Raymont (RNZAF). It is a little strange that a 127 Sqn victory appears in the 238 Sqn ORB. In checking Jeffords RAF Squadrons it would appear that both squadrons flew both Hurricane's and Spitfires in this period. You will have to check both ORBs to see which squadron the two pilots were actually in. And then let us know what you find.

Enjoy!

Frank.

[Gianandrea Bussi]

From the books about the history of the 30° Stormo BT, edited by the IAF Historical Office in 1974 and written by Maurizio Croci, and from "Volare a Faenza", by Angelo Emiliani, 2003:

On 6 june, a CZ.1007 bis of the 195a Sq., 90° Gruppo, based at Rhodos, didn't come back from a "ricognizione offensiva" south of Cyprus and off of the Syrian coast; its taken off time was 7.10 a.m. (ten. pil. Zorzut Arrigo, serg. pil. Saccomandi Primo, av. sc. arm. Albanese Mario, av. sc. elettr. Murreli Francesco).
Two other bombers of the same Squadriglia took off at 1.00 p.m. in order to search the missing airmen: they spotted the relic at 3.00 p.m. and at 3.40 they were attacked by a Beaufighter and two "Spitfires" (according to Emiliani, from 46 and 127 Squadron respect).
One of the CANT was hit, two of the crewmember (serg. magg. arm. De Bernardini and m.llo pil. Nunnari) being wounded.
A7 4.30, the two bombers were attacked by two other "Spitfire": the wingman CANT (MM 24758) was seen coming away with the right engine in flames (ten. pil. Marri Alessandro, ten. pil. Silvestro Mario, av. sc. mot. Tosi Marino, av. sc. arm. Pinna Angelo, av. sc. marc. Merloni Guerriero, 1° av. fot. Romano Calogero) at lat. 33°40' and long. 30° 30'.
Only the first aircraft managed to come back to its homebase with the two wounded.

All the other crews were posted missing excepted ten. Marri, whose body was found, dead, in a lifeboat on the turkish beach at Karatasc (60 km from Adana) in the night between 15 and 16 june.

Best regards

Gianandrea