V-1 flying bombs

[Brian]

Hi Alex

Re Arthur Harvey - I didn't make the PRO this week (still suffering from flu) to check 68 Squadron records, but have noticed that he unfortunately shot down a Mosquito of 604 Squadron on 29/5/44. Is this shown in his logbook? Also, he had been awarded a DSO prior to this. I would appreciate any additional details you may have (I will contact his son shortly).

Cheers
Brian

[Franek Grabowski]

Originally Posted by Kutscha

I have 307 based at Church Fenton in Dec 1944. It was not based at Coltishall til May 1945.

There was a detachment at Coltishall since Autumn 1944.

[Alex Smart]

Hello Brian,

Re the 29th May shoot down, yes there was a 604 Sqdn Mossy shot down by a Beaufighter over Lyme Bay, but would not know if it was the claim of the 28th made by Harvey for a Ju88 in the Hope Cove area (?)
Alex

[Brian]

Hi Alex

Apparently Harvey claimed a Ju188 but it turned out to be Mosq XIII MM503 of 604 Sqn - Flt Lt C.L. Harris baled out and rescued, Sgt Eric Blood baled but dead when found.

Cheers
Brian

[Kutscha]

Originally Posted by Franek Grabowski

There was a detachment at Coltishall since Autumn 1944.

With the start of the operation “Overlord”, every day two-aircraft section was detached to Coltishal for “Intruder” mission

Seems from June 1944.

[BIGVERN1966]

Originally Posted by Mieszko

Hello Brian and Mark!

Mark here is what I have;

On Dec. 12th 1944 w/o Sylwester Wieczorek (pilot) and w/o Henryk Ostrowski of 307 Sqn departed Coltishall on a night "intruder" mission to Holand flying a Mosquito Mk30, MV542/EW-Y. At about 300ft they entered clouds and started circling to gain altitude before heading out towards Holland. About 15min after takeoff while still in the clouds they collided with something. The Mosquito fell into a spin, however the pilot was able to regain control and forceland/crash. Both crew members survived and were told by RAF brass that they collided with a V-2. Wieczorek and Ostrowski were credited with destroying a V-2.

The above is was taken from two different books about 307 Sqn. One by Robert Gretzinger, and I forget the author of the other.

This is suppose to be the only V-2 destroyed over England. Dumb luck more than anything else, I suppose.

Cheers,
Mieszko

Theres nothing about this incident in Coltishall's ORB for that date and there the only Mosquito units mentioned are 68 Sqn and 125 Sqn.

The Royal Navy also detached Firefly NF1s from 746 SQN (NFDU/NFIU) at Ford to Coltishall to assist the Anti He111/V1 operations. One was scrambled on the evening of the 13th December 1944 from Coltishall to go after 3 or four contacts picked up that looked like He 111s/V1 combos. (The pilot's name is unreadable on the Coltishall F540, but the Observer/Radar Operator was a Lt Davies). Anybody have any details of the Coltishall Fireflies?