USAAF B-17 encounter with Ju88s off Lands End

[Roundway]

On 9 May 1944 an 8th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron Fortress returning from an Atlantic meteorological reconnaissance sortie at 2000 ft, was attacked by three JU88s, probably at approximately 49deg 45 min N 11 deg W (my estimate). The encounter lasted for about 20 minutes before the JU88s broke off, one apparently damaged.

The Fortress itself was badly damaged (it looked like a sieve) and landed with at least one engine out of action; it was subsequently deemed damaged beyond repair. Three of the USAAF crew and the RAF Meteorological Air Observer were wounded. The time of encounter was not given, but I estimate it to be late afternoon or early evening.

I'd be interested to know where the JU88s were based and if a report of the encounter survives.

Brian

[Nick Beale]

Ju 88s of ZG 1 were patrolling the SW Approaches. Encounters were reported by RAF aircraft as follows:

Intention: One Ju 88 out from 14W 5988 (Quimper) at 0425 [GMT+2], returning there at 0725.

No W/T

… At 0612 in [GMT+2] in 50.10N, 09º W a Wellington reported one identified a/c which could possibly have been identical with this Ju 88 … at 0637 the Wellington … which at 0612 sighted one a/c in 50.10N, 09W saw a Fortress pursued by Ju 88's.

At 0644 in 49.29N, 08.40W a Wellington sighted two Ju 88's.

At 0740 in 48.51N, 08.33W a Halifax was engaged by 7 Ju 88's and was damaged but returned to base.

(Source: National Archives HW 13/39)

[Chris Goss]

Halifax at 0740hrs was B/502 Sqn (Fg Off Galbraith) which returned with a dead WOp and Eng. Some of I./ZG 1 was operating out of Salon this day but III./ZG 1 was on a Freie Jagd out of Lorient up 0450hrs down 1000hrs but no mention of any engagement