FAF/RAF Losses May 1940

[Peter Cornwell]

Hi Chris,

Just getting back on stream after disastrous computer failure which trashed my motherboard & modem etc. Here is what I have regarding the thread on possible HAASE claims:

14 May 1940 (extract)

GC I/8 Bloch 152 (506). Oil tank badly damaged in combat with Bf109s of 5./JG52 during escort sortie for Amiot 143s of GB I/34 over Sedan. Belly-landed alongside the road between Tahure and Suippes 1.00 p.m. S/Lt. P. Gouachon-Noireault unhurt. Aircraft a write-off.

GC I/8 Bloch 152 (531). Slightly damaged in combat with Bf109s of 5./JG52 during escort sortie for Amiot 143s of GB I/34 over Sedan; forced-landed at Bétheniville 1.00 p.m. Sgt. H. Choulet unhurt. Aircraft repairable.

15 May 1940 (extract)

GC II/1 Bloch 152 (164). Shot down in combat with Bf109s of 3./JG53 during bomber escort sortie, possibly that claimed by Oberfw. Kuhlmann. Crashed in the Château-Regnault forest, at Les Woieries, 3 km north-east of Monthermé 3.10 p.m. Sgt. R. Munier killed. Aircraft a write-off.
Capitaine Victor Veniel, Commandant of 3/1, claimed a Bf109 destroyed at this location during this combat but no such loss can be traced. The tragic conclusion that he may have inadvertently attacked the aircraft of René Munier can not be discounted.

GC II/1 Bloch 152 (189). Shot down in combat with Bf109s near Monthermé during bomber escort sortie, believed that claimed by Oberlt. Lippert (Staffelkapitän) of 3./JG53. Crashed at La Neuville-aux-Haies, in the Bois de Fays 3.13 p.m. Adjt. R. Autier killed. Aircraft a write-off.

GC II/1 Bloch 152 (122). Badly damaged in combat with Bf109s during bomber escort sortie over Monthermé and forced-landed between the lines at ‘Les-Petits-Hays’, Raillimont, outside Rozoy-sur-Serre 3.22 p.m. Believed that claimed by Lt. Haase of 3./JG53 Lt. Brun bruised left foot. Aircraft destroyed to prevent capture.

GC 3/1 Bloch 152. Returned to Laon-Couvron badly damaged in combat with Bf109s of 3./JG53 during bomber escort sortie over Monthermé 3.30 p.m. Capt. V. Veniel (Commandant) unhurt. Aircraft damaged but repairable.

Sorry if it confuses more than clarifies, but you know how these things are.

Peter C.