Spitfire VcT 04.05.1944. Doli (Croatia) W/O Stenning

[AUS_RAAF]

Hi Tom,

Yes the bushfires have been devastating this year. I am in South Australia where Kangaroo Island was hit the worst, although just prior to Christmas two of my relatives almost lost properties around the local foothills. On that day winds were gusting, storms were approaching and it was 46C. Dry lightning struck a power line and the fire burnt out of control. Following day temperature dropped to 18C! However, the Australian east coast has really been hit the worst, and I read today there is now flash flooding in some of those regions!

Anyway back to topic. I have had another look through Stening’s diary and nothing regarding tangible claims are mentioned – a few cases of 109 encounters.

In the book “Nab” Spitfire Pilot, page 84 is the following account (no date).
“Six of us on a coastal patrol encountered an Italian bomber, a SM82, a copy of the German JU52. We attacked one after the other. I was third and by this time the gunner had stopped firing and one engine was on fire. As I fired, I saw pieces fly off the aircraft and another engine was on fire. After the 5th Spitfire attacked the aircraft hit the sea with a great splash and the 6th Spitfire didn’t get a shot at it.

A fairly vivid description and the fact it was noted as a shared claim instead of a sole victory seems to contradict any falsification?

A couple of theories and speculation.

1. Perhaps it was a friendly fire incident? Might explain no mention in the official records and omission from diary, but also does not explain the second He111 victory.

2. Around this time 253 Sqn RAF were closely associated with the 52nd FG USAAF. Stening’s LB reveals several flights in American Spitfires VF-U (5th FS), QP-A (4th FS) etc during Mar/Apr 44. I wonder if the SM82 victory was possibly while flying or attached with the 52nd. Might be worth checking the American records? Additionally it would be interesting to find any matching German/Italian losses for those days.

So once again, a bit of a mystery, nothing concrete and probably more questions than answers!

Regards, Drew

[Tom Semenza]

Hi Drew,

Interesting and vivid description of the SM.82 encounter. In the the RAF Commands Forum thread I previously sited, Ian (Adelaide) noted the following claim:

"7 Apr 44 F/O JJL Houle & F/O HJ Wilks & F/O WV Whittaker & P/O DC Goudie & W/O A Stening (RAAF) 1 SM82 conf"

This would certainly fit the account, but once again no such claim is mentioned in the ORB for these pilots. All five pilots mentioned were part of a mid afternoon bomber escort. Stening was flying EF750 on 7 April. Does his log book give a/c codes?

While the possibility of the SM.82 being a Co-belligerent cannot be dismissed, the following is interesting. On an earlier mission the same day F/L A.W. Watson of 253 claimed a SM.82 on an "armed recce" from 07:10 to 08:30. This claim is mentioned in the ORB although it does not specifically say that it was credited to Watson alone. In the narrative for 7 April found in A History of the Mediterranean Air War, Vol. 4 is the following:

"Flt Lt Watson of 253 Squadron claimed to have shot down an S.82 west of Marina di Pisa. LKS records show the loss of two S.81s on this date."

The SM.81 and 82, both being tri-motors, were often misidentified. So there were two verified losses but no indication as to cause.

Regards,
Tom