Friendly fire WWII

Dear Brain,

From the book, "Listen To Us", aircrew memories by the Aircrew Association of Canada, Vancouver Island branch, 1997, ISBN 0-9698699-4-0, pp-342-343, detailing recollections by Bill Shankland:

"When Bill left 407 Squadron he was posted to 1401 Meteorological Flight at Bircham Newton, flying Gladiators--biplanes, no less, but a delight to fly. One of the other aircraft on the station was a Spitfire V-D which sported only a small roundel and had no armament except a Very pistol and a Cambridge therometer. Having the range to go to Berlin and back, it was used to take photographs of Bomber Command targets for the coming night. The squadron also had a Blenheim Mark IV which flew out for 300 miles over the North Sea on a bearing of 030. Unfortunately a Whirlwind mistook it for a Ju88 and shot it down..."

Do not know if you are familiar with this incident?

Norman Malayney

[Six Nifty .50s]

That sounds like the end of Blenheim V5568 of the 1401 weather flight, last seen on 27th May 1942. Reputedly shot down in error by an RAF Whirlwind pilot from 137 Squadron. Flying Officer Marshall, Sergeant Thimblebee, and Sergeant Gray were never heard from again and reported MIA.

Found it in Graham Warner's fine study from Crécy Publishing. Unfortunately there were many known losses of Blenheims to own fire; I will list the whole lot when I finish reading it.

[Csaba B. Stenge]

My forthcoming book in this autumn, the 1/3. FS history will contains 3 friendly fire accidents as well (one was serious with a crashed plane and one KIA)

[Six Nifty .50s]

Originally Posted by Six Nifty .50s

That sounds like the end of Blenheim V5568 of the 1401 weather flight, last seen on 27th May 1942. Reputedly shot down in error by an RAF Whirlwind pilot from 137 Squadron. Flying Officer Marshall, Sergeant Thimblebee, and Sergeant Gray were never heard from again and reported MIA.

Found it in Graham Warner's fine study from Crécy Publishing. Unfortunately there were many known losses of Blenheims to own fire; I will list the whole lot when I finish reading it.

As promised, data from:
Warner, Graham. Bristol Blenheim: A Complete History. 2nd Edition. (Manchester, U.K.: Crecy Publishing, 2005): ...

3 September 1939
Three Blenheims (601 Squadron) drew gunfire from British anti-aircraft batteries near Biggin Hill, U.K. Fortunately all shots missed. (p.138)

3 January 1940
Blenheim L1410 (18 Squadron). Attacked by RAF Hurricane but escaped. Later shot down by German fighter on same day. (p.167).

15 March 1940
Blenheim L9249 (57 Squadron). Believed to be shot down by anti-aircraft fire from Allied troops and crashed near Metz, France. Two crewmen killed and one injured. (p.167).

12 May 1940
Blenheim N6169 (59 Squadron). Damaged by anti-aircraft fire from Belgian troops near Renaix, France. One crewman wounded. (p.196).

15 May 1940
Blenheim L9399 (53 Squadron). Shot down by RAF Hurricane and crashed near Tournai, France. Three crewmen killed. (p.214)

16 May 1940
Blenheim N6168 (59 Squadron). Damaged in attack by RAF Hurricane and crashed at Vitry, France. Crew survived. (p.214).

16 May 1940
Blenheim L4852 (53 Squadron). Damaged in attack by RAF Hurricane and then shot down by anti-aircraft fire from Allied troops during landing approach. Crashed at Glisy, France. Crew injured. (p.205,214).

18 May 1940
Blenheim L9395 (235 Squadron). Believed to be shot down by RAF Hurricane and crashed into sea off Ostend, Belgium. Three crewmen killed. (p.232).

21 May 1940
Blenheim L9185 (18 Squadron). Shot down by RAF Spitfire and crash-landed near Boulogne, France. Crew injured. (p.226).

21 May 1940
Blenheim L9325 (18 Squadron). Shot down by RAF Hurricane and crashed near Arras, France. Three crewmen killed. (p.226).

22 May 1940
Blenheim L9266 (59 Squadron). Shot down by RAF Spitfire and crashed near Fricourt, France. Three crewmen killed. (p.226).

9 August 1940
Blenheim L8679 (600 Squadron). Shot down by British anti-aircraft fire and crashed near Westgate, U.K. Crew survived. (p.270).

15 August 1940
Blenheim L6610 (604 Squadron). Damaged in attack by RAF Spitfire and crash-landed at Middle Wallop, U.K. Crew injured. (p.270).

20 August 1940
Blenheim Z5729 (236 Squadron). Damaged by British anti-aircraft fire near Pembroke Dock, U.K. Made forced landing at base. Crew survived. (p.268).

24 August 1940
Blenheim T1804 (235 Squadron). Shot down by RAF Hurricane and crashed into Bracklesham Bay, U.K. Two crewmen killed. (p.268).

24 August 1940
Blenheim Z5736 (235 Squadron). Damaged in attack by RAF Hurricane over Bracklesham Bay, U.K. Crash-landed at base. Crew survived. (p.268).

24 August 1940
Blenheim N3531 (235 Squadron). Damaged in attack by RAF Hurricane over Bracklesham Bay, U.K. Crash-landed near Thorney Island. Crew survived. (p.268).

3 September 1940
Blenheim L1512 (25 Squadron). Shot down by RAF Hurricane and crashed near North Weald, U.K. Pilot killed and observer bailed out safely. (p.270).

3 September 1940
Blenheim L8656 (25 Squadron). Damaged in attack by RAF Hurricane and made forced landing near Hatfield Heath, U.K. Crew survived. (p.270).

3 September 1940
Blenheim L1409 (25 Squadron). Damaged in attack by RAF Hurricane and made forced landing near North Weald, U.K. Crew survived. (p.270).

28 September 1940
Blenheim L1371 (29 Squadron). Damaged by British anti-aircraft fire and made forced landing at Digby, U.K. Crew survived. (p.271).

2 October 1940
Blenheim R3629 (254 Squadron). Damaged in attack by RAF Hurricane over English Channel and crash-landed at Montrose, U.K. Crew survived. (p.289).

13 October 1940
Blenheim L6637 (29 Squadron). Shot down by RAF Hurricane and crashed into sea off Point of Ayr, U.K. Three crewmen killed. (p.288).

13 October 1940
Blenheim K7135 (29 Squadron). Damaged in attack by RAF Hurricane near Liverpool, U.K. Crew survived. (p.288).

26 October 1940
Blenheim T2057 (14 Squadron). Shot down by RAF Gladiator and crashed near Port Sudan, East Africa. Crew injured. (p.427).

27 October 1940
Blenheim T2068 (113 Squadron). Navigational error on return flight from air strike in Libya and also came under fire from Allied anti-aircraft guns. Crew bailed out near Amriya, Iraq. (p.425).

10 November 1940
Following a raid on Kalpaki, RHAF (Royal Hellenic Air Force) Blenheims were fired at by their own airfield defenses at Larissa, Greece. The hot reception caused a detour to Medini, where the Blenheims were again attacked by friendly anti-aircraft fire. They orbited the airstrip until empty fuel tanks forced a landing. One Blenheim crashed and the Greek pilot broke his back. (p.429).

24 November 1940
Blenheim Z5734 (272 Squadron). Attacked by FAA Fulmar over British convoy, stalled in low-altitude turn and crashed into sea off U.K. Three crewmen killed. (p.289).

9 December 1940
Blenheim N3617 (114 Squadron). Damaged by anti-aircraft fire from Allied convoy off Yarmouth and crashed at Newport, U.K. Three crewmen killed. (p.292).

5 January 1941
Blenheim T2134 (139 Squadron). Damaged by British anti-aircraft fire near Lowestoft, U.K. Crew survived. (p.303).

31 January 1941
Blenheim R3903 (139 Squadron). Damaged by British anti-aircraft fire near Southwold, U.K. Crew survived. (p.303).

13 February 1941
Blenheim R3679 (53 Squadron). Damaged in attack by RAF Spitfire and made forced landing at Bircham-Newton, U.K. Crew survived. (p.307).

1 April 1941
Blenheim T2398 (53 Squadron). Damaged in attack by RAF Hurricane and made forced landing at base in U.K. Crew survived. (p.308).

6 April 1941
Blenheim ----- (11 Grupa) of the Jugoslovensko Kraljevsko Ratno Vazduhoplovsto (Royal Yugoslav Air Force). During a bombing raid to Romania, this aircraft was shot down by a JKRV Messerchmitt 109. Three crewmen were killed. (p.441).

14 April 1941
Blenheim T2177 (113 Squadron). Damaged by anti-aircraft fire from British Commonwealth troops near Gravena, Greece. Crew survived. The pilot was sent to deliver unfused bombs for Kiwi sappers who had no explosives to demolish a bridge assigned to them. The Blenheim circled the drop zone with wheels down and popped recognition flares, with no effect on the hostile replies of the New Zealanders. (p.446,453).

26 April 1941
Blenheim fighters from 30 and 203 Squadrons were tasked as top cover for a British convoy off Suda Bay, Crete. Evidently the squadron leaders were not informed of these duplicate assignments and did not expect a meeting over the ships. The two units intercepted each other in confusion and attacked until some Ju 88 bombers appeared near the melee. The Royal Navy opened fire on all of the planes indiscriminately. (p.448).

27 April 1941
Blenheim K7177 (30 Squadron). Damaged by gunfire from British warship and crash-landed at Maleme, Crete. Crew survived. (p.449,453).

28 April 1941
Blenheim L9044 (203 Squadron). Shot down by gunfire from British warship and ditched in sea off Crete. Crew rescued. The Blenheims again circuited the area with undercarriage lowered and flashed the correct identification signals, which did not persuade the navy gunners to stop shooting at them. (p.449,453).

30 April 1941
Blenheim L9215 (203 Squadron). Damaged in attack by FAA Fulmar off Crete. The crew survived, and this time Verey pistol cartridges and flashing Aldis lamps caused the navy fighters to break off. (p.453).

9 May 1941
Blenheim V6379 (18 Squadron). Shot down by gunfire from British warship and crashed into sea off U.K. Three crewmen killed. (p.343).

23 May 1941
Attempts were made to reinforce the island fortress of Crete with RAF Hurricanes staged from the Middle East. In this case a flight of six were led by a Blenheim, and these were dispersed by intense anti-aircraft fire from British navy warships. Five Hurricanes returned to Egypt. The Blenheim and remaining Hurricane landed at Heraklion though the latter was destroyed 30 minutes later. (p.451).

27 May 1941
Blenheim V6460 (82 Squadron). Destroyed by own bomb blast during anti-shipping strike. Crashed into sea off Malta. Two crewmen killed and one taken prisoner. (p.518).

27 May 1941
Blenheim V6427 (82 Squadron). Destroyed by own bomb blast during anti-shipping strike. Crashed into sea off Malta. Three crewmen killed. (p.518).

8 June 1941
Blenheim V5680 (139 Squadron). Destroyed by flying debris from target vessel during anti-shipping strike. Crashed into sea off Malta. Three crewmen killed. (p.518).

28 June 1941
Blenheim V5755 (75 Wing). Shot down by British anti-aircraft fire and crashed near Lydd, U.K. Four crewmen killed. (p.352).

2 July 1941
During armed reconnaissance for a suspected enemy convoy, a Blenheim crew of 45 Squadron located several warships off Tyre, Palestine. The pilot radioed their position and attacked through heavy anti-aircraft fire. It's not clear if any damage was caused but the target ships belonged to the British Navy. (p.464).

9 August 1941
Blenheim V5990 (113 Squadron). Shot down by RAF night-fighter and crashed into sea off Mersa Matruh, Egypt. Two crewmen killed and one injured. (p.485).

30 August 1941
Blenheim Z7641 (107 Squadron). Damaged by bomb blasts during raid on Licata, Sicily. Crash-landed on Malta. Crew injured. (p.519).

20 September 1941
Blenheim R3843 (18 Squadron). Flew into bomb bursts during anti-shipping strike. Crashed into sea off Zandvoort, Holland with three crewmen killed. The teenage Canadian pilot had dropped an unusual load on St. Omer airfield a month earlier; a wooden box that contained a spare artificial leg for a British POW - Wing Commander Douglas Bader. (p.366,372).

20 September 1941
Blenheim V6422 (226 Squadron). Destroyed by own bomb blast during anti-shipping strike. Crashed into sea off Amsterdam, Holland. Three crewmen killed. (p.372).

22 October 1941
Blenheim Z7898 (18 Squadron). Destroyed by blast from bombs dropped by leading aircraft and crashed near Homs, Syria. Three crewmen killed. (p.520).

15 November 1941
Blenheim T2324 (54 Operational Training Unit). Shot down by RAF Spitfire and crashed near Wetherby, U.K. Pilot bailed out safely but observer was killed. (p.378).

28 November 1941
Blenheim Z7703 (11 Squadron). Shot down by anti-aircraft fire from British Commonwealth troops and crashed near the Tobruk-Bardia road, Egypt. Three crewmen killed. (p.486).

30 November 1941
Blenheim Z7589 (Western Desert Command Flight). Shot down by anti-aircraft fire from British Commonwealth troops and crashed near Gialo Oasis, Sudan. Three crewmen and one army passenger killed. (p.494).

28 December 1941
Blenheim L1243 (62 Squadron). Shot down by anti-aircraft fire from British Commonwealth troops and crashed near Port Swettenham, Malaya. Two crewmen killed and one injured. (p.552,556).

28 December 1941
Blenheim ----- (62 Squadron). Damaged by anti-aircraft fire from British Commonwealth troops near Port Swettenham, Malaya. Crew survived. (p.552).

29 January 1942
Blenheim Z7271 (21 Squadron). Destroyed by blast from bombs dropped by leading aircraft and crashed near Tripoli, Lebanon. Two crewmen killed and one injured. (p.521).

21 February 1942
Retreating columns of troops with some 300 vehicles from the British 17th Division were bombed and strafed by RAF Blenheims near Mokpalin, Burma. The previous day, British Commonwealth troops were attacked by RAF aircraft during a break-out attempt by a battalion surrounded by Japanese troops. Complaints from the army led to a formal investigation by Air Vice Marshall Donald Stevenson, who at first seemed in denial but later relented. (p.563-564).

30 March 1942
Blenheim Z7627 (14 Squadron). Shot down by RAF Hurricane and crashed into sea off El Alamein, Egypt. Three crewmen killed. (p.490).

27 April 1942
Blenheim T2430 (114 Squadron). Damaged by British anti-aircraft fire near Lowestoft. Crash-landed at Pulham, U.K. Crew injured. (p.391).

27 May 1942
Blenheim V5568 (1401 Meteorological Flight). Shot down by RAF Whirlwind and crashed into sea off U.K. Three crewmen killed. (p.396).

19 August 1942
Blenheim Z6089 (13 Squadron). Damaged by anti-aircraft fire from British warship off Dieppe, France. Crash-landed at Thruxton, U.K. Crew survived. (p.392).

19 August 1942
Blenheim V5626 (614 Squadron). Damaged by anti-aircraft fire from British warship off Dieppe, France. Crash-landed at Friston, U.K. Two crewmen killed and one wounded. (p.392).

29 December 1942
Blenheim BA784 (18 Squadron). Shot down by British anti-aircraft fire and crashed at Bangouch, North Africa. Two crewmen injured and one killed. (p.534).

19 March 1943
Blenheim BA655 (42 Squadron). Damaged by blast from own bombs during air strike and crashed on landing at Rajyeswarpur, India. Crew injured. (p.583).

[Six Nifty .50s]

A few others:


10 March 1941
Halifax L9489 (35 Squadron). Shot down by RAF night-fighter on return from six-plane raid to Le Havre, France.

15 June 1941
Two RAF Hurricanes (208 Squadron) were shot down by Allied anti-aircraft fire near their base at Aqir, Palestine. Both pilots were killed.

17 June 1941
Beaufort (217 Squadron) was shot down by RAF Hurricanes of 504 Squadron.

September 1942
Three Hurricanes were downed by friendly gunfire during the battle for Convoy PQ-18.

[Juha]

Hello Brian
an insignificant friendly fire case and probably without fatal consequences but to confirm that one should check the sub’s log. But also probably fairy common case of friendly fire.

Sept. 3rd 1942 Blenheim P/404 [Sqn] “at 0852/PCTU 1448 attacked fully-surfaced submarine, co. 65, speed 8 knots. A/C ‘P’ dived to attack, and fired a burst of 6 secs from 700 yds. On approaching nearer, captain recognised marking on submarine as N78 or N73, and ceased fire at 300 yards. Submarine was unescorted, and made no recognition signal. Some hits were estimated on conning tower. Submarine submerged after attack. No adverse effects of attack were seen…“

Source: Sumburgh ORB. Form 540

BTW, RAF sunk a Soviet sub, ex-RN vessel turned to Soviets, on its way from GB to Murmansk. According to British investigation the sub was well outside its safety corridor when the attack happened. If You don’t have info on this I can dig out some details on it on naval side.

Juha

[Steve49]

The submarine in question was V.1 (ex HMS/M SUNFISH) sunk by an 86 Sqn Liberator 27/7/44 during her delivery voyage. According to Rohwer's 'War at sea 1939-1945' the submarine was '60 miles off her designated course'.

Regards

Steve

[Brian]

Hi Csaba

Will your book be in English? If so, I wish to order a copy, but if not, would you provide details of the friendly fire incidents, please?

Cheers
Brian

[Juha]

Hello Brian
have You see the page on Soviet Spits, http://lend-lease.airforce.ru/englis...spit/index.htm? In it the writer mentioned some friendly fire cases, one of which resulted a crash-landing.

Juha

[Brian]

Thanks Juha

Super stuff

I trust you are well
Cheers
Brian