Beaufighter losses over the Aegean Sea, Nov. 10th, 1943

[David Pausey]

10-11-43
From the book Armed Rovers by Roy C.Nesbit:-

“Four torpedo Beaufighters of 47 sqn went out on an Armed Rover in the afternoon of 10 November, escorted by nine of 603 Sqn led by S/L Atkinson. They sighted a small vessel to the south of Cos and one aircraft dropped a torpedo without results, but the other pilot thought that the target was too small. An Ar 196 in the water was hit by cannon fire but then the formation was attacked by Me109s. A Beaufighter of 603 Sqn ditched with its starboard engine on fire but the crew, P/O W.A.Eacott and P/O W.B.F.Pritchard, survived to become PoWs.the remaining aircraft returned safely.

603 Sqn ORB says :-
9 a/c. a/b. 12.10 ?/10 with 3 a/c of 47Sqn. On strike against barges between Amorgos & Leros. 12.38 B/10 “G” returned with fuel leak & V.H.F. u/s. 14.30. B/10 posn.3642N.3638E. sighted Me109 which shortly afterwards notised our a/c., jettisoned 1.r.t.s. and dived in pursuit. 1448 B/10 a/c. H. of 47 Sqn. was seen to ditch. 1450 B/10 posn. 3?00N.265?E. a/c. 275 of 603 Sqn. Ditched with std. engine on fire – an a/c. which returned to look for 275 was driven off by 109s Remaining a/c. landed 1635.

Regards

David