Polish Mustang PK-E, 315 Sqd

[SteveB]

Hi Peter and other posters

I realise that this intervention may not be entirely helpful but it seems to me that it would be really helpful if somebody could find out which Liberator sqn was involved and what is the record of their operations for that day. I have been unsure about the events as recorded in 315Sqn ORB since the last time this incident appeared on one of the forums.

On 10Nov44 315Sqn flew four overlapping patrols each of two a/c and taking off at 55/50 minute intervals. The first was 1140-1540; the second 1235-1625; the third 1325-1720 and the fourth 1415-1755. So, for whatever it is worth, the first patrol had not returned before the last patrol took off.

It seems to me that it is likely that the Liberators were airborne for all of this period from 1140-1755. In the 315Sqn ORB all four reports describe the task, in different levels of detail, as "protect Coastal Command A.V. Patrol 7 LIBERATORS flying at 1000 ft".

There are at least two things I don't understand. I am not well-versed in Coastal Command operations, but I don't think I have ever been aware of CC a/c apparently operating in such a large formation? It would have produced one hell of a radar response. Where I have looked at CC sqn ORBs then usually they record just single a/c operating on any patrol. If the (slower) Liberators were operating at such a low altitude and so close to the Norwegian coast why was there an escort of only two a/c when usually at least 8 and often 12 a/c would be put up to escort Beaufighters or Mosquitos? If JG5 has responded how would two a/c protect seven Liberators?

Steve