Night fighter operations with Defiant 1941

[mhuxt]

Hi:

From www.151squadron.org.uk

February 4
Hurricanes and Defiants were both operating in night activities. Sgt Bodein, flying a Defiant with Sgt James as his air gunner, intercepted a Do 215 at an altitude of 10,000 ft. Just two short bursts of five seconds' duration were sufficient to send the enemy aircraft down in flames, the range being 25-50 yards.

A telegram was received from Air Vice Marshall Saul, the A.O.C. of No 11 Group, which read:-

"CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SUCCESS LAST NIGHT. GLAD TO OBSERVE THAT THE SQUADRON ARE EFFICIENT ON ANY TYPE OF AIRCRAFT".

Claims for the night were:-

Sgt Bodein

Sgt James

1 Do 215 destroyed

May 10
The London area was subjected to heavy night raids and Hurricanes and Defiants were in action. 151 Squadron carried out a large number of patrols in the London area. Of the four combat victories recorded, two were by Hurricanes and two were by Defiants.

P/O Stevens and P/O Smith were both flying Hurricanes, and P/O Stevens’ aircraft was hit by return fire from one of the bombers he attacked.

P/O Wagner and Sgt Sidenberg in a Defiant, intercepted and attacked three Ju 88’s, but the Defiant was too slow to follow through, and their aircraft was hit by return fire from the bombers.

P/O Gayzler and P/O Pfleger, also in a Defiant, intercepted a Me 110 over Peterborough but again, the Defiant was too slow to follow through with a worthy attack, and the Me escaped.

Other Defiants flown by F/Lt McMullen with Sgt Fairweather, and Sgt Copeland with Sgt Sampson, were more successful and achieved combat victories.

Claims for the night were:-

F/Lt McMullen
Sgt Fairweather
1 Ju 88 destroyed
Sgt Copeland
Sgt Sampson
1 He 111 destroyed P/O Stevens 1 He 111 destroyed
1 He 111 probably destroyed
P/O Smith 1 He 111 probably destroyed