Hampden crew claimed e/a probable 5/6 August 1940

[Brian]

Hi guys

Another unidentified night combat. Any help appreciated.

On the night of 5/6 August 1940, a Hampden crew experienced a combat near Nordeney on returning from a mining sortie. The gunners claimed the e/a as a 'possible'.

Fingers crossed!

Cheers
Brian

[Chris Goss]

Is your question what RAF sqn or was there a German loss? I presume both?

[Hans Nauta]

Hi again Brian,

This concerned Hampden P4400 of 61 Squadron, captained by P/O De Mestre. According to the ORB: Both his rear gunners came into action and though the aircraft was not seen to crash it went vertically down in such manner as to make it seem probable that it was shot down.

And just in case Peter pops up: it concerned Sgt Boyle and Sgt Paton, listed in this sequence so Sgt Boyle may have been W/Op and Sgt Paton AG.

Regards,
Hans

[Brian]

Many thanks once again, Hans

These nocturnal combats don't always get recorded in detail.

Much obliged.

N.B. Peter de Mestre was a former London Irish rugby player and later won the DSO and DFC.

Brian

PS: Chris, I don't believe there was a corresponding loss? Or do you have one?

Cheers
Brian

[phasselgren]

Hans,
Thanks, you read my mind.

Brian,
Great that you include bomber combats in your book. This will fill a gap for this period.

Regards,
Peter

[Col Bruggy]

Hi Brian,

Re: De Mestre.

Whilst you have your copy of Larry Donnelly's, "The Other Few" handy, check out p.102 (No.61 Sqn Hampden P2089). One of the crew is named as; Sergeant J I DOYLE. A description of the events on this night (19/20 August, 1940), can be found here:

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/...4951/page/5654 (see also p.5655).

Col.

[Brian]

Thanks guys

Most interesting.

Cheers
Brian

[Bruce Lander]

Didn't Guy Gibson record shooting down a Dornier in mid August 1940 in his book "Enemy Coast Ahead" whilst returning from a raid on French ports

Bruce Lander

[Chris Goss]

The risk you have here is if you log every '...and it was last seen headed downwards smoking...' the book will be massive but at the same time inconclusive

[Observer1940]

Hello Brian

Some Hampden Accidents on those dates -

Co-incidentally there was a Hampden P4357 61 Sqn dived into the sea, engine failure was claimed, while on air firing practice, apparently at Skipsea Ranges, Yorks, on 5th August 1940, daytime?

There was a forced landing of Hereford/Hampden L6053 of 16 OTU on 6th August 1940, in Oxon.

Hampden L4187 106 Sqn on 7th August 1940 also dived into the ground at Lincolnshire and it was suggested that the pilot was blinded searchlights.

About a year later on 6th August 1941, a Hampden P4342 apparently of 25 OTU had to ditch during an air firing practice 2m ESE of Bridlington, it was claimed that the Pilot made a turn away, at a low altitude.

Mark