Fw Werner Hahn 3./NJG1 shot down 29 July 1940

[Brian]

Hi guys

I don't believe this has been asked before - but do we know who shot down his Bf110? I believe it was a gunner/s aboard a Wellington, but which squadron and who was the pilot/gunner etc?

Any help appreciated.

Cheers
Brian

[Brian]

Hi guys

Which Wellington squadrons involved?

Cheers
Brian

[MW Giles]

28/29.07.40


Bremen Hampden 50 Sqn 8 a/c Target A.2
Évère Battle 142 Sqn 5 a/c 2 lost
Gardening Hampden 83 Sqn 12 a/c (Quince 3 Pumpkin 8/9)
Hamburg Wellington 9 Sqn 7 a/c Target A.5
Hamburg Wellington 37 Sqn 4 a/c Target A.8
Hamburg Wellington 75 Sqn 4 a/c Target A.8
Hamburg Hampden 44 Sqn 16 a/c 1 lost
Hamm Wellington 37 Sqn 1 a/c Target M.434
Hamm Wellington 75 Sqn 1 a/c Target M.434
Kamen Wellington 37 Sqn 2 a/c Target A.75
Kamen Wellington 75 Sqn 2 a/c Target A.75
Köln/Eifeltor Wellington 9 Sqn 2 a/c Target M.464
Mors Wellington 37 Sqn 2 a/c Target A.73
Mors Wellington 75 Sqn 2 a/c Target A.73
Wismar Whitley 77 Sqn 10 a/c
Wismar Whitley 78 Sqn 5 a/c

Therefore just three Wellington Sqns 9, 37 and 75

Regards

Martin

[phasselgren]

Brian,

I found nothing in the ORBs of 9 and 75 Sqn. I do not have the 37 Sqn ORB.

Was the a/c identified as a Wellington by Luftwaffe? Is it possible that it was a Whitley?

Regards,
Peter

[Brian]

Thanks for the input, guys.

The Bf110 crashed near Ennigerloh, which is about 25km north-east of Hamm, so the possibility it was the Wellington from 37 Squadron (according to Martin's list).

I'll order a copy of 37's ORB for July 1940 and see if we can locate it. I'll let you know asap.

Thanks again
Brian

[MW Giles]

Brian

Before you spend money, the 37 Sqn ORB does not help either, it does not mention any combats

From the synopsis of the night's operations it seems that no one really found their targets and everyone stooged around looking for secondary targets. My list shows primaries - ie briefed targets. At that point in the war what someone actually bombed and what they thought they hit are usually very different (cf Butt Report). On this night they were not even claiming they reached their targets

Regards

Martin

[Brian]

Hi Martin

Too late! I ordered 37's ORB for July - and there is a possibility:

"Plt Off Watt, unable to identify the marshalling yard at Hamm, carried out a high level attack on an airfield situated about 25 miles north-east of Hamm (Ennigerloh?). Flying was in progress at the time of the attack and one aircraft was seen just landing or about to land. A stick of bombs was seen to fall across the flare path, causing a fire."

Might this have been Hahn's aircraft? Destroyed on the ground and not shot down in the air? Interesting.

Hopefully someone has further information.

Cheers
Brian

[Chris Goss]

The 2 reports I have say crashed after combat not crashed on landing or bombed at an airfield. Not sure (and I stand by to be corrected) if there was an airfield at Ennigerloh?

[andy bird]

For this date I've these lines but appreciate it may not relate to Watts:

29 July 1940

"The captain of another aircraft, reporting the successful completion of his task, stated that an enemy fighter had been drawn off by the accurate fire of his rear gunner."

Bomber Command Report filed 30 July 1940 AM London.

Andy B

[Brian]

Hi Andy

Any clue as to which squadron?

Cheers
Brian