Oblt Henney Passier

[Chris Goss]

I think I have sorted this out. The aircraft lost was Beaufighter JM347/D of 248 Sqn (Sqn Ldr R G Winncott/Fg Off A F Stocker). This has in the past been attributed to Ofw Friedrich May of 8./JG 2, Ofw Hans Gryz of 1./128 and Ofw Helmut Haase of 1./128. You can discount May and the 248 Sqn ORB supports the time of combat, the loss of this Beaufighter to 4 x Fw 190s which pounced on the Beaufighter's return flight. The last I have on Passier is 17 Sep 42 when he was wounded by 235 Sqn. Lots of red herrings but still doesn't explain why 1./128 or Jagdkdo Brest was recorded as 10./ZG 1 and agree that the name does look like Oblt (Heinz) Wurm the St Kap. You have to remember that 1./128 was less than a Staffel in size so perhaps it was credited to the St Kap initially?

[Nick Beale]

Some quotations from CX/MSS/EX/SALU 23, 'Single-engined fighter patrols west of Brest, probably by Kfst. 5/196', dated 15/8/43 (TNA HW 13/26):

Since 27/7/43 an evening patrol lasting two hours from Brest-Lanvéoc Poulmic to the west by 4–6 Fw 190s has been reported regularly in Auka on the "Western Naval Link" (F.V.L.M. West) …

On 10 May … the following operational intentions for 11/5 were sent to Flf. Atlantik by Part Detachment 5/196 (J) Brest South: "Emergency readiness with 1 Rotte within the set up of 8./JG 2."

The evening patrol took place on … 2, 3, 7, 9, 11, 12/8, always with 4–6 Fw 190s.

… At 1310 gmt on 12 August 7 Fw 190s were reported taking off from Lanvéoc "for alarm to the west", in connection with a British operation against the Brest Peninsula … and there is slight evidence that they have also taken part in other isolated defensive actions …

Successes
On 7 August four Beaufighters encountered 4 Fw 190s at 1905 in 4825 N. 0740 W. and one Beaufighter was shot down. (6 Fw 190s were reported as taking off at 1745 gmt on this date).

[Chris Goss]

Thanks Nick. This mini-unit did have some successes such as 25 Aug 43 when they shot down four out of 6 Beaufighters of 143 Sqn