Friendly fire WWII

[Brian]

Hi BigVern

The Beaufighter (V8387) was flown by Sqn Ldr Henry Mould. He and Flt Lt Dr Downing were the tragic victims of Sgt Norman Gerrand RCAF of 167 Squadron, who also attacked and damaged the second Beaufighter (X7583).

I was interested in your note about a Firefly of NFIS operating from Coltishall against the V-1 carrying Heinkels of III/KG53. This was new to me and I would be intested if you have any further infomation.

Cheers
Brian

[BIGVERN1966]

Originally Posted by Brian

Hi BigVern

The Beaufighter (V8387) was flown by Sqn Ldr Henry Mould. He and Flt Lt Dr Downing were the tragic victims of Sgt Norman Gerrand RCAF of 167 Squadron, who also attacked and damaged the second Beaufighter (X7583).

I was interested in your note about a Firefly of NFIS operating from Coltishall against the V-1 carrying Heinkels of III/KG53. This was new to me and I would be intested if you have any further infomation.

Cheers
Brian

Hi Brian

The Information about the detachments is in both Coltishall's and Ford's ORB. This sortie I listed (out of the Coltishall ORB) ended with the Firefly turning back near the Dutch coast with engine problems, after chasing one of the contacts across the North Sea in very bad weather. The Firefly pilot got very short visual contacts and only got one burst of 20 mm in at long range with no observable effects.

Regards Richard

[Juha]

Brian
in W. Harrison's FAIREY FIREFLY The Operational Record. Airlife 1992 ISBN 1 85310 196 6 there is on pp. 53 - 55 some detailled info on Firefly missions against He 111/V-1 combinations.

HTH
Juha

[Brian]

Thanks Richard & Juha - I will see if I can obtain a copy of Harrison's book.

Cheers
Brian

[BIGVERN1966]

Originally Posted by Brian

Thanks Richard & Juha - I will see if I can obtain a copy of Harrison's book.

Cheers
Brian

Hi Brain

I'm after informtion about the Fireflies at Coltishall for a Profile, so any info in this direction would be helpful. (I have been told that there is a photo of a Firefly at Coltishall at the FAA Museum archive somewere).

Richard

[Juha]

Hello BIGVERN1966
Harrison gives some serials (and crews) to those Fireflies that operated against V-1s and their carriers. There is also a photo on page 54 with caption IIRC that this plane of 746 is like those used against He 111/V-1 combinations.

HTH
Juha

[Brian]

Hi guys - thanks.

Richard: could Lt (GL) Davies' pilot have been Lt John Armour RM? This pair flew together earlier and shot down a Do217 while flying a Mosquito of NFIS.

Cheers
Brian

[BIGVERN1966]

Originally Posted by Brian

Hi guys - thanks.

Richard: could Lt (GL) Davies' pilot have been Lt John Armour RM? This pair flew together earlier and shot down a Do217 while flying a Mosquito of NFIS.

Cheers
Brian

Brian / Juha

Quote from Coltishall F540 ORB for Firefly NF 1 v He111 / V1 Action on 13.12.44

A Firefly of N.F.I.U., Ford, operating from Coltishall, Lt (Eneale 'best guess at the name')and Lt. Davies, were scrambled at 1826 hours under Hopton (CHL radar 'my quote') control and obtained three or four contacts, one of which was followed and a flying bomb seen, followed by a visual on the E/A for three or four minutes in very bad visibility. A one-second burst was given from 1,000 feet, but the aircraft disappeared into cloud and was lost, no results being observed. The contact was regained at one mile range and the E/A followed, obtaining intermittent visuals in bad weather to very near the enemy coast when, unfortunately engine trouble developed and the Firefly was compelled to return to base, landing at 2020 hours.

Juha, does any of this match up with anything the Harrison book?


Brian, hope this can be of some help

Richard

[mhuxt]

Originally Posted by Brian

Hi guys - thanks.

Richard: could Lt (GL) Davies' pilot have been Lt John Armour RM? This pair flew together earlier and shot down a Do217 while flying a Mosquito of NFIS.

Cheers
Brian

Hi Brian:

Do you have a date for the Do 217 claim?

Cheers,

Mark