Kirkenes/Petsamo

[keith A]

Fleet Air Arm fighters claimed 2 Bf110 and a Bf109 during strikes on 30 July 1941. I have tried to find details of who made the claims, but the only source I have (Send Her Victorious) credits the co (LtCdr VC Campbell?) of 809 Sqn, SLt J Cooper, and SLt AE Wilkinson. Cooper is listed as claiming a possible Bf109 on that date (FAA aircraft 1939-1945), but other than that I can find no details of the others, apart from a SLt Wilkinson who flew as an observer in Swordfish later in the war.

Anyone else have information that could help?

[markjsheppard]

Keith

I have a war/air ministry report somewhere on this operation and others involving Northwern Russia.

I also have information on the German losses and claims somewhere. Give me a few days and I will have a look.

regards

Mark

[keith A]

Cheers Mark,

I have found that the commander of 809 Sqn was VC Grenfell not VC Campbell as I originally thought, and that the total claims for the Fleet Air Arm were 2-0-0 Bf110, 1-1-0 Bf109, and 1-0-1 Ju87. Actual losses admitted by Lufwaffe sources were for a Bf110 and a Ju87.

Albacores made 1-1-1 claims, the Bf109 probable was shot down by a rear gunner who was killed on this date.

Keith

[Rune Rautio]

The Ju 87 was downed by Albacore N4307 4K (Lt J.N. Ball) of 827 Sqn FAA (Victorious).

Rune

[robert]

Does anybody have the german claims?

TIA

Robert