Circus N° 20 23 June 1941

[Chris Goss]

303 Sqn state that they had to wait 15 mins for the bombers so perhaps it was the other way around

[Franek Grabowski]

Erik
303 and 242 Sqns were on rendesvous point at Manston and escorted Blenheims according to plan. 242 Sqn was Close Escort and 303 - Top Escort. I cannot say about other units but it looks they were all from Target Support, thus not directly involved in escort of Blenheims, although Northolt Combat Diary mentions one Spitfire Squadron joined the dog fight. This would need a drawing to explain how such an operation looked like.
The formation was first attacked over the coast (Desvres) and then over the target, but descriptions are conflicting, and reading reports the one has no impression of separate combats.
By the way, do you have any account of Schöpfel concerning his combat on 28 June 1941 - Circus 26?

[Erik Mombeeck]

Hi Franek and all the others,

Thank you very much for the help.
That is true, it is very difficult to reconstruct how the operation happened, and of course each operation would need one complete book. That is not our goal but your answers will help to avoid several mistakes.
Unfortunately, Gerhard Schöpfel did not tell me much on separate missions since he hadn't his Flugbücher, but a few were still clear in his mind. This was the case for this 23 June, but not for the 28th. Sorry.

Best regards

Erik

[Fairlop]

603 Sqn's Sgt John Hurst claimed and was credited with a Me-109F damaged at 2035, 8 m S of Dunkirk, in Spitfire Va R7305. This is the only claim by 603 Sqn on this date.
Frank.

Frank,

I think it is a mistake with the month. Hurst was credited with this claim in July not June.
I do not have 603 Squadron ORB for that period but a history of the unit by Ross & Blanche states only action on 23rd June at 12.55, so much earlier. Hornchurch Wing almost probably did not participated in the evening action.

Regards,
Michal

[Franek Grabowski]

Hello Erik

Originally Posted by Erik Mombeeck

That is true, it is very difficult to reconstruct how the operation happened, and of course each operation would need one complete book. That is not our goal but your answers will help to avoid several mistakes.

A book about a single operation seems exaggeration, but it would be enough for a good article. Well, the problem is in amount of documents from the Allied side and in lack of them from the German side.

Unfortunately, Gerhard Schöpfel did not tell me much on separate missions since he hadn't his Flugbücher, but a few were still clear in his mind. This was the case for this 23 June, but not for the 28th. Sorry.

I have seen a photo attributed to Schöpfel (Osprey Me 109F/G aces IIRC) and reputedly showing his victim from the combat. The problem is that it was clearly a Spitfire, and Schöpfel is usually credited with a 306 Sqn Hurricane. Friend's uncle had a lengthy low-level dog-fight that day and ended up in the drink due to lack of fuel, hence my particular interest.

[Chris Goss]

Continuing the Circus 20 thread, 609 (9 ac plus the Station Commander) were Target Support Wg with 92 & 74 Sqn for 6 Blenheims attacking Mardyck aerodrome. Took off at 1948 hrs and 2 ac landed at Manston & West Malling. Nothing else was recorded.