75 Sqn in search for Hipper class cruiser 27 May 41

[phasselgren]

Hi,

According to the ORB twelve Wellington of No.75 Squadron were detailed to carry out a daylight search for Hipper class cruiser on the 27 May 1941. The target was not located but “ a large number of enemy aircraft were encountered and attacks were made on our aircraft. No serious damage was sustained.”

I would like to learn more about this operation: where was the search made, were any other units involved and were any claims made against the enemy aircraft? I plan to add this question to the Luftwaffe section but I want to include the area for the search.

Thanks in advance
Peter

[Laurent Rizzotti]

At this date I guess the ship searched was the Prinz Eugen, that sailed with Bismarck and then got on his own to go to France. I know that the Luftwaffe tried to support the Bismarck and sent several bomber units over the Atlantic (one sinking a British destroyer on 28 May) but have not my books on hand for more details.

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Hello Peter,

On the very useful book "Bomber Command War Diaries", by Middlebrook and Everitt ( pg.158 ): "52 Wellingtons and 12 Stirlings searched over a wide area for the Cruiser Prinz Eugen, after her partner ship, the Bismarck, had been sunk in the Atlantic. Nothing was seen".
A second mission was carried out by 14 Blenheim on shipping sweeps of Holland and Germany; as well by 9 Blenheims which attacked Lannion A/F, destroying one enemy aircraft on the ground. NO LOSSES."

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Some details on Luftwaffe activity (with no reference to any meeting with Allied aircraft, but giving the gloabl picture):
http://kbismarck.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=98

[phasselgren]

Thank you Adriano and Laurent.
Gives me a background for the operations and area of operations.

Peter

[AndreasB]

Originally Posted by Laurent Rizzotti

At this date I guess the ship searched was the Prinz Eugen, that sailed with Bismarck and then got on his own to go to France. I know that the Luftwaffe tried to support the Bismarck and sent several bomber units over the Atlantic (one sinking a British destroyer on 28 May) but have not my books on hand for more details.

HMS Mashona was lost due to air attack.

http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chr...al-Mashona.htm

36 crew members killed in action. A few months ago I saw a CWC headstone in the cemetary at Nakil, Belmullet Peninsula, Ireland, for a 14 or 15-year old rated 'Boy', who went down with her. Must have been Peter McGlade.

All the best

Andreas