Ju88 Interception off Ireland, August 1942

[Mark McShane]

I have another enquiry about an action over the Irish Sea, it is a couple of months later on December 15th 1942 (date could be between 14th-16th).

I do not know what units were involved, I just have information about ferry picking up four German pilots on the 15th and two RAF pilots on the 16th.

Could anybody provide any further information on how these men ended up ditching in the Irish Sea?

Regards,

Mark

[Brian Bines]

Hi Coldmeter,

I dont know if this helps I have a note that on 13-12-42 I(F)/33 lost two Ju88D-1s, The crew of Oblt Hassold was reported initially as missing but later rescued while the other crew of Ltn Flemming were missing in Pl.Qu. 7151. I have no more info. but perhaps someone could advise as to whether Oblt.Hassolds crew were the crew picked up by the ferry,

Regards

Brian Bines

[Tony Kearns]

Originally Posted by Coldmeter

I have another enquiry about an action over the Irish Sea, it is a couple of months later on December 15th 1942 (date could be between 14th-16th).

I do not know what units were involved, I just have information about ferry picking up four German pilots on the 15th and two RAF pilots on the 16th.

Could anybody provide any further information on how these men ended up ditching in the Irish Sea?

Regards,

Mark

Mark,
Would you have any idea which ferry was involved, Rosslare /Fishguard, Dublin /Holyhead or Belfast Larne/Stranraer?
Tony K

[Mark McShane]

Tony,

It was the Holyhead - Dublin ferry. Two of the German pilots died before they could be landed at Holyhead.

Regards,

Mark

[Chris Goss]

3/33 was operating in the Med in Dec 42-Hassold & his crew came down off Spain, were interned and later repatriated. I have the Luftwaffe reports for Dec 42 so will delve a little deeper

[Chris Goss]

Luftflotte 3 reported the loss of a "1/33" Ju 88 on 13 Dec. It had taken off at 0730 hrs and at 1005 hrs reported it was flying on one engine in Quad 4Ost/7115 headed 350 degrees at 100 metre. This was the Hassold crew so we can discount this. Nothing is apparent 14 Dec 42, 15 Dec or 17 Dec

[Brian Bines]

Hi Mark,

I take it there is no possibility about the year of this incident. The reason I ask is that an NVM reports the loss of a crew of 1(F)120 on the 14-12-43. It shows the aircraft reported the left engine on fire and that probaly an emergency landing would be made between 57 and 58 Grad nord and 2-3 Grad west (off the Hebridies?). If the fire was bourght under control the aircraft may have made for neutral Eire and ditched. The crew are shown as missing probaly drowned, and then two are notated over as gefallen. Details are Ff Ofw Paul Weber, B Ltn. Hans-Ulrich Birninger, Bf Fw Wolfgang Jahrig, Bs Obf Jakob Rohr. Following Chris' information on the I(F)/33 I could not find another candidate for Dec 1942 , always glad for any correction though,

regards

Brian Bines

[Tony Kearns]

Hi all,
I have a note that Avro Anson I AX564 2(O) AFU Millon, ditched in the sea 20 miles north of Bardsey on 15 December 1942. I have no further details. This ditching would put it more or less in the area of the course of the Dublin/Holyhead ferry.
A possible part of the jigsaw or an addition to confusion?
Regards
Tony K

[Mark McShane]

Hi Tony,

Arrcording to the newspaper article, the two RAF men were part of a crew of four, they had ditched into the sea on Sunday 13th, so that doesn't tie in with the Anson on the 15th.

It seems that it may go un-resolved.

Regards,

Mark

[Tony Kearns]

Hi Mark,
I posted a question on Ross NcNeill's RAF commands Forums and he supplied me with details confirming that in fact an Anson had come down in the sea and the crew were picked up by a steamer, but does not mention names(with thanks to Ross). The ORB does not give names either.
Your initial posting#11 mentions 15th Dec and or between 16th and 19th and posting #19 lists 13th. Is the newspaper named and can you confirm the date Sunday 13th?
Kind regards
Tony K