Battle of Leros Island, November 16, 1943

[sergey]

Colleagues.
I found information on the website that on November 16, 1943, near the island of Leros in the Aegean Sea, German fighters shot down five Beaufighters, including three from the 47th Squadron.
https://aviationarchaeology.gr/wp-co...-1941-1946.pdf
According to other, incomplete information, only two Beaufighters, both from the 47th Squadron, were lost in the area on November 16.
https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/239312
https://mail.aviation-safety.net/wikibase/239314
I ask for help in determining how many British aircraft were actually lost, under what circumstances, and how many British and German fighters participated in the battle.

sergey

[Chris Goss]

From my book:


There were then two claims made by two unidentified NCO pilots from 11./ZG 26 pilots at 1240 and 1245hrs on 16 November 1943 (the day that British troops surrendered on Leros) for two Beaufighters over the Aegean. That day, 47 and 603 Sqns attacked a Siebel ferry off Kalymnos which was carrying troops to reinforce Leros. As well as a surface escort, the ferry was also escorted by seven Ar 196s, four Bf 109s and four Ju 88s. Despite hitting the ferry which then caught fire and sank, Beaufighters flown by Fg Offs Bill Thwaites, Tony Bond and John Fletcher were shot down. However, at the same time as the 11./ZG 26 claims, Bf 109s of III./JG 27 led by Maj Ernst Düllberg claimed three Beaufighters in the Levita/Kos/Tría Nisiá area.


Note it is 47 Sqn (RAF) not 47th Sqn (USAAF)

[sergey]

Thank you. Could you please tell me how many British aircraft took part in the operation?

[Chris Goss]

14 total; 7 from each squadron

[sergey]

Thank you again.

Originally Posted by Chris Goss

From my book:
However, at the same time as the 11./ZG 26 claims, Bf 109s of III./JG 27 led by Maj Ernst Düllberg claimed three Beaufighters in the Levita/Kos/Tría Nisiá area.[/font]

Could you please tell me if this means that the ZG 26 pilots were engaged in combat with another Beaufighter group? If so, which one and where? Or perhaps they were attacking the same group.

[Chris Goss]

Sorry no idea

[sergey]

Thank you. I understand.