Friendly fire WWII

[Laurent Rizzotti]

343rd Field Artillery Battalion, US Army, 17-18 August 1944
"As more troops were rushed up to plug the holes left behind the racing T-O boys, the 90th edged toward Chambois, driving and blocking until only one road remained that the battered German 7th Army could even hope to escape through. On 17 August, while moving to a position northwest of Nonant Le Pins, two P-38‘s circling overhead came down to strafe the column. The second came in too low, shearing the tops of four telephone poles and hitting Baker Battery‘s 4th gun section truck with its wing and propeller. Four men were killed and two injured during the strafing. The men killed were T/4 John Burkhart, Pfc. Henry Maul, Pfc. Fred D. Weyl, Jr., and Pvt. Tony A. Vigil. The plane crashed and burned about 250 yards from the road. The pilot was killed in the crash and burned beyond recognition, but his dog tags identified him as an American pilot. The next day Service Battery made a special trip to pick up engineer supplies, which turned out to be one ―maul‖. In the course of getting these ―supplies, the truck was strafed by British Spitfires and the driver was injured."
Source:
http://www.90thdivisionassoc.org/His...%20FA%20Bn.pdf

The P-38 that crashed during the attack was possibly of 474th FG. See http://francecrashes39-45.net/page_fiche_av.php?id=6000

47th Armored Field Artillery Battalion, 2 November 1944
The battalion's first entry into Germany occurred at approximately 1360 near Rotgen, Germany, on November 2, where it went into firing positions to support a contemplated assault by CC "A" upon the towns of Strauch, Simmerath and Kesterneck. That afternoon at 1630 the battalion suffered the heaviest casualties it suffered in a single day. A flight of eleven P-38 planes circled the CP buildings and then bombed and strafed the area. The first three planes dropped two five-hundred pound bombs each, the first bomb hitting five yards from the assistant S-3's halftrack. Capt. E. D. Clark, Tec 6 A. G. Baker, Tec 6 Holscher, Tec 3 Nixon, Pfc. Leonard all were instantly killed. M Sgt Cate died of wounds the same day in a nearby hospital. Prompt action by a nearby anti-aircraft unit which fired recognition flares caused the remainder of the planes to pull out and leave the area.
The contemplated operation was cancelled and the remainder of the month of November saw the battalion engaged in firing interdiction, harassing, and some observed missions on the Siegfried Line defenses.
http://www.5ad.org/units/47AFA.html

202nd Field Artillery Battalion, 4 December 1944
"By tragic coincidence, at 1030 hours, the Battalion’s remaining L-4 Grasshopper observation and liaison aircraft was hit by friendly artillery fire and fell in flames near Puberg, Alsace, France. Pilot 1st Lt. Orris E. Herr and Observer 1st Lt. John W. White were killed instantly. A howitzer in “B” Battery was conducting registration fire in the area of Hinsbourg, France when the plane was hit."
http://www.202ndfieldartillery.com/Timeline.html

[Laurent Rizzotti]

On 22 March 1941, a Blenheim of 139 Sqn was shot down by British AA fire near Lowestoft. I guess Brian had already this but the Admiralty War Diaries (available online at if your have a fold3 account) include a message by C in C Bomber Command to Air Ministry about this that is interesting. See https://www.fold3.com/image/302108797.

Brian, if you don't have a fold3 account, tell me here and I wil copy the text.

[Brian]

Hi Laurent

Thanks once again.

My fold3 account has lapsed, so I would appreciate a copy of the report, please. My e-mail is now briancullauthor@gmail.com

Cheers
Brian

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Here it is:

N.O.I.C. Lowestoft states that at 1226 today an aircraft came in from seawards over Lowestoft at 700 to 1000 feet. Ships opened fore and A/C was hit in port engine and came down in flames near Oulton. No recognition signals fired and A/C came out of sun on course 285°. Blenheim type but no roundels seen on wings or body. Was probably hit by point fore from Queen Empress. A/C burnt out. Three bodies identified as RAF personnel. Further enquiry will be held.
(C. in C. Nore 1956/22 to Adty.)

OPS 626 22/1. Blenheim 139 Squadron, returning from Operational mission crossed coast Lowestoft 1226/22 on straight course and recognised as Blenheim by local Constabulary. After passing over town, Naval guns opened fire and aircraft hit and crashed with loss of all crew. Action by Naval guns in direct contravention of S.D. 158 (1) appendix "A" paragraph 3 (2). Regret that I must press for a searching enquiry so that the responsibility for this act may be established, and in order that Naval A.A. fire may be brought under a proper system of control. This is the fifth occasion since last October in which my aircraft have been engaged by A.A. fire at Lowestoft alone and illustrated the irresponsible manner in which fire is opened on friendly aircraft.
(C. in C. Bomber Cd. 2340/22 to Air Ministry)

[Brian]

Many thanks, Laurent

Just the job!

Cheers
Brian

[Observer1940]

Originally Posted by Laurent Rizzotti

Here it is:

N.O.I.C. Lowestoft states that at 1226 today an aircraft came in from seawards over Lowestoft at 700 to 1000 feet. Ships opened fore and A/C was hit in port engine and came down in flames near Oulton. No recognition signals fired and A/C came out of sun on course 285°. Blenheim type but no roundels seen on wings or body. Was probably hit by point fore from Queen Empress. A/C burnt out. Three bodies identified as RAF personnel. Further enquiry will be held.
(C. in C. Nore 1956/22 to Adty.)

OPS 626 22/1. Blenheim 139 Squadron, returning from Operational mission crossed coast Lowestoft 1226/22 on straight course and recognised as Blenheim by local Constabulary. After passing over town, Naval guns opened fire and aircraft hit and crashed with loss of all crew. Action by Naval guns in direct contravention of S.D. 158 (1) appendix "A" paragraph 3 (2). Regret that I must press for a searching enquiry so that the responsibility for this act may be established, and in order that Naval A.A. fire may be brought under a proper system of control. This is the fifth occasion since last October in which my aircraft have been engaged by A.A. fire at Lowestoft alone and illustrated the irresponsible manner in which fire is opened on friendly aircraft.
(C. in C. Bomber Cd. 2340/22 to Air Ministry)

S.D. 158(1) is Part 1 of the Routeing, Recognition and Identification of Aircraft ... procedure / rules (also spelt "Routing" on the TNA catalogue) S.D. 158 (Secret Document 158) is the former department reference.

8 No 1940 & 1941 results here and there were a number of Editions for the various Parts.

http://discovery.nationalarchives.go...hb=tna&_st=adv


I think you have probably seen these 1941 files, Brian, but might be of interest to others. There were more incidents than these four files ...
http://discovery.nationalarchives.go...hb=tna&_st=adv

Mark