4 Bü 131 claimed on 2 May 1945 by 130 Squadron

[C.Moeller]

Hello,

on 2 May 1945, 6:15 a.m., F/O G. Lord & F/Sgt B.W. Woodman of 130 Squadron (Spitfire XIV) claimed 4 out of 5 Bü 131 near Schwerin Lake in Germany (taken from Shores/Thomas: 2nd Tactical Air Force).

As the Bü 131 was a biplane, I wonder if the Bü 131 should indeed read Bü 181?
Does anybody have access to the original combat report and can tell if the pilots have spoken about biplanes?

Thank you very much.

Christian

www.nachtschlacht.de

[Nick Beale]

Shores & Thomas's "2nd Tactical Air Force Vol. 4" does refer to these as biplanes but I don't know if that's their comment, or something from the original Squadron records.

[Allan125]

Hello Christian

This is how the day's activities were reported in the 125 Wing ORB

2/5/45

With the enemy pocket shrinking rapidly, great care had to be exercised before any ground targets could be attacked. We started off with a rush, 5 aircraft of 130 Squadron on the first patrol saw 4 Buckner 131’s at 0615 hours near LAKE SCHWERIN at zero feet. Our aircraft were at 5,000 ft and they immediately attacked. The result was 2 destroyed by F/O Lord, 1 destroyed by F/Sgt Woodman and 1 destroyed shared between these two pilots. At 0850 hours a section of 4 aircraft of 130 Squadron saw a ME109 in the circuit of SCHWERIN A/D at 1,000ft. Our A/C dived on to it from 5,000ft and P/O Edwards and P/O Mertons shared in its destruction. A large concentration of MET was seen from CRIVITZ to SCHWERIN. It appeared to be unable to move either way. After careful reconnaissance this was duly clobbered by a section of 4 aircraft of 350 Squadron to the tune of 55 damaged. Later in the morning, 3 Fiesler Storches were seen by a section of 41 Squadron flying North at zero feet near SCHWERIN A/F. Two of these were destroyed by W/O Chalmers and one destroyed and one damaged by F/O Smith. We suffered a loss during the afternoon when F/L Stowe got mixed up in the debris from ground targets and had to crash land west of SCHWERIN LAKE either in our lines or just beyond them. He is believed to be safe and we all look forward to seeing him in a few days. We had another victory at 17.10 hours when P/O Watkins, F/Lt Bangerter, F/Sgt King and F/O Van Eckh shared in the destruction of an Arado 234. The Enemy aircraft was trying to land when attacked and a ME262 in the same area only got away owing to superior speed. That concluded our joy except for MET to the tune of 2 destroyed and 13 damaged clobbered by 130 Squadron, and a loco and 5 trucks damaged by 350 Squadron.

SALUTE TO THE HOMER – we learn today that they men who man the Homer successfully landed their one thousand and first aircraft.
__________________________________________________ ______


I also have the 130 squadron ORB - which is on a PDF in my files - and it confirms the 125 Wing report as being correct: 4 Bu 131's were attacked and destroyed. Lord destroying 2, Woodman 1 and shared 1 - thus I can confirm that the information was passed from the squadron upwards to the Wing daily report, and, unless an error occurred in recognition, it was indeed Bu 131's and not Bu 181's. To further check the report I enlarged the text by 300% and it is clearly 131 and not 181.

Hope it helps?

cheers

Allan

[Stig Jarlevik]

Allan

Just curious as always. With regard to the THREE Fi 156 seen and attacked how can the pilots destroy THREE and damage ONE. My maths make this FOUR aeroplanes in all.....

Are you perhaps making an error or is this what is stated?

Cheers
Stig

[Allan125]

Hello Stig

Good point - but exactly as written in the 125 Wing ORB, of which I possess the whole document from June '43 - July '45

Perhaps Steve Brew (41 squadron website) might like to add what is written in the 41 squadron ORB for this event.

cheers

Allan

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thanks Allan

Checking Shores "ace" books I can only locate Chalmers in Those other Eagles, where he is listed with his two victories on said day, so at least they got confirmed.
ALso checked Foremans book Fighter Command war diaries July 1944-May 1945 he states that three Fi 156 were destroyed in the air and another was damaged during strafing on the ground....

That is most probably the solution.

Cheers
Stig

[Allan125]

Hello Stig

You are most probably correct - the 41 Squadron ORB probably contains the full report, most likely a précis would have been passed to the higher HQ, and the 125 Wing diarist simply wrote up what he was given.

Or, alternatively, he had the full story and just shortened it without thinking that it would be questioned 64 years later!!

However, I have e-mailed Steve Brew the link to this series of queries - so we can see just what was reported in the 41 squadron ORB if/when he responds.

I trust that Christian is happy with the answer that he has been given?

cheers

Allan

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thanks again Allan

You're dead right there, TOCH, every past diarist nightmare .
Just kiding of course, but judging from our interest, I think we should be very happy indeed that so many diarist fulfilled a to them extremely boring job with as many details as they did. Sure enough we always complain about too little, and why did they miss out this or that, but as a whole I think they have made a very good job. And if there was nothing to check and correct, TOCH wouldn't be half as fun as it is....

I certainly hope Christian is happy with your answer Allan, since I am!!

Cheers
Stig

[Steve Brew]

Hi Stig

Chalmers claimed two Fieseler Storche destroyed and Roy Austen-Smith one destroyed in the air and one damaged on the ground - so there were still only three airborne Fi156. I can send you the page from the ORB and both Chalmers' and Smith's Combat Reports if you would like to see them. If so, please contact me off-board at brewATclientsDOTch

Regards
Steve

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thanks Steve

I take your word for it . I guess Allan and I already had agreed on the scenario you now confirm is correct.

Cheers
Stig