Identity of Short Stirling rear gunner taken prisoner of war on 2/3 September 1942 following air combat over Northern France?

[Theo Boiten]

Dear all,

I am looking for the identity of a Short Stirling rear gunner who was taken prisoner of war in the early hours of 3 September 1942, following air combat with a Bf110 night fighter of NJG4, most probably in the greater Reims area/France. The timeframe in which the combat occurred was around 02.00-04.00 hrs. It appears that the Stirling managed to escape damaged.

Reason for asking is that I found a mention of this incident in a German Nachtjagd flying log book from a member of NJG4.

Cheers and thanks for any pointers,

Theo

[Alex Smart]

Hi Theo,

Have looked in Chorley's BCL for 1942. Unfortunately nothing of a Rear Gunner for the 2/3 Sept, '42.

However for the night of 1/2 September '42 Stirling I- N3714 - HA-Q- 218 Sqdn shows that -
Sgt. J V O FOGG
and
P/O. E G RUEGG -RNZAF
Became POW's following an attack by Hptm Walter EHLE of Stab II/NJG1. The a/c crashed 0315 at Sterrebeek (Brabant), 9 km ENE from the centre of Brussels.

As for the night of 2/3 September '42.
12 Sqdn
Wellington II
Z8529 - PH-U
Three of its crew became pow. One was the tail Gunner -
Sgt.J FOLEY.

Lancaster I - R5763 was shot down by a night fighter (Oblt Martinek, III./NJG4). 3POW, 1 EVD. Tail Gunner was killed.
Oblt Martinek also claimed a Halifax II - DT487 - LQ - M, all crew of which were killed.

However if your Stirling was not lost, but returned to Base then the ORB of the Squadron would hopefully give details.
15 Squadron would perhaps be a starting point.

Just checked RAF Forum's POW List.
The only 3 September '42 POW from a Stirling was the Flight Engineer. SGT. William, SHEARER, a/c W7611 -LS-F - 15 Sqdn, "Footprints on the Sands of Time" has details of his capture date being the 7th September, POW number 27177, Camps 8B/344(Lamsdorf).
So was not captured immediately . Wonder what/ how he Evaded for those few days ?

All the best
Alex

[Chris Goss]

The only 15 Sqn loss that night was flown by Sgt R J Bebbington with just the one survivor Sgt W Shearer. No other mentions of RGs baling out and Stirlings returning

[Alex Smart]

Thanks for the confirmation Chris

[Steve Smith]

Theo,

No.218 Squadron ; Short Stirling Mk.I DJ976 HA-A flown by P/O Du Toit. Rear Gunner killed, Mid-upper gunner bailed out. Aircraft returned safely.

Mid Upper Gunner . Sergeant S.V Reeves.

Regards

Steve

[Stig Jarlevik]

Our friend Geoffrey Sinclair wishes to add the following:

"Summary for Karlsruhe raid 2/3 September 1942 is 27 Stirling sent, 24
attacked primary, 2 attacked other targets, 1 missing, 1 category AC due
to enemy action, 1 killed, 10 missing. Chorley notes 8 on board W7611
from 15 squadron, that leaves 1 killed, 2 missing.

7 Squadron 4 Stirling (Pathfinder)
15 squadron sent 5 Stirling
149 squadron sent 4 Stirling
214 squadron sent 8 Stirling
218 squadron sent 6 Stirling

https://www.rafcommands.com/database...php?uniq=DJ976
According to 218 Squadron, DJ976 was attacked by enemy fighters, Reeves
was the mid upper gunner and baled out in the target area, Rogers the
rear gunner.

No idea about the other person reported missing. No other incidents
reported that I can see."

Geoffrey Sinclair

[Theo Boiten]

Thanks a lot for your helpful and interesting replies. Geoffrey also shared with me the info on the participating Stirling Squadrons on 2/3 September 1942, and it appears that 218 Squadron Stirling DJ976 was the only Stirling that reported a sharp encounter with a night fighter, escaped but the mid upper gunner baled out over enemy territory.

I have checked the TNA websitte but alas the Combat Report for this incident is not digitised yet; does anybody happen to have this one? I hope this will shed more light on the location/time of the incident. One of the crew members was killed in the encounter.

AIR 81/17721
Sergeant S V Reeves: prisoner of war; Sergeant F Rogers: killed; remaining crew unnamed: uninjured; Stirling DJ976, 218 Squadron, aircraft was engaged by the enemy on an operational flight over Karlsruhe, Germany, 3 September 1942

Cheers and thanks, Theo

[Steve Smith]

Theo,

Reeves was captured at Seviscourt a few miles south of St Hubert, Belgium. He did not bail out over the target as reported.

Steve

[Theo Boiten]

Thanks Steve -that really does fit to the German night fighter report. What was the extent of damage to the Stirling?

Cheers, Theo

[Chris Goss]

Nothing recorded in the F540 unless it is in the Appendices. Landed at West Raynham though at 0410hrs