ZG-76 Claims against No 107 Sqn 17April1940

[Martin Gleeson]

107 Squadron certainly lost a third Blenheim as a result of attacks by the Bf 110s. This was P4924 which was belly-landed on return to Lossiemouth at 14.55 hours. Up to 53 hits were counted which had damaged the undercarriage among other things. P4924 was declared a write-off. The crew were P/O Osborne Harvey Keedwell (Pilot), Sgt. Robert Donaldson Cook (Observer) and AC2 John Richard Mayor (WOp/AG) . John Mayor was on his first operational mission and was awarded the DFM for his actions this day. There is a photo in ‘THE BRISTOL BLENHEIM’ (2nd edit., p.181), which purports to be N6192 belly-landed and also from this raid. However no serial or aircraft letter are visible and I strongly suspect the Blenheim in the photo is P4924. Furthermore N6192 was recorded flying operationally on the next two days ! N6192 was eventually shot down and crashed in France on 27 May 1940. I can find no evidence a second Blenheim was belly-landed. The F.78 for P4924 records no specific loss date but it does have a SOC date of 26 April 1940 Sources: 107 Sqn. ORB (AIR 27/841, p.75-76 & 88-89) and Appendices (AIR 27/837, p.142-153), London Gazette website. Furthermore another three of the 107 Sqn. Blenheims on this raid were recorded with minor damage. 1/ Blenheim IV Hit by A/A fire causing slight damage during attack on Stavanger-Sola airfield around midday. No aircrew casualties. Aircraft damaged but repairable. Source: 107 Sqn. Appendices (AIR 27/847, p.147). 2/ Blenheim IV. Hit by one bullet in the fuselage from a Bf 110 of I./ZG 76 during a daylight attack on Stavanger-Sola airfield 12.10 p.m. No aircrew casualties. Aircraft damaged but repairable. Source: 107 Sqn. Appendices (AIR 27/847, p. 152). 3/ Blenheim IV. Hit by one bullet from a He 111 during a daylight attack on Stavanger-Sola airfield 12.33 p.m. No aircrew casualties. Aircraft damaged but repairable. Source: 107 Sqn. Appendices (AIR 27/847, p.152). It has not proved possible to match the three slightly damaged aircraft above with specific crews and serials in the 107 Sqn. F.541.

Regards,

Martin Gleeson.