416 RCAF Squadron losses 1st January 1945 - Bondenplatte

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Good night to all!
I am trying to locate the names and aircrew losses over Bruxels-Évère during operation Bondenplatte; particularly the air-combats against JG 26.
It seems that only the Spitfire XVI ( ? ), serial number SM304 flown by 23 years old Squadron Leader David William Armstrong Harling, DFC ( J./11481 ) took off. Do you know at what time he was shot down? Was he the only loss of 416 Squadron that day? There was a CAP ( Combat Air Patrol ) over the base when JG 26 striked?
Any knews, particularly regarding the claims of Oblt Adolf Glunz will be ver welcomed.

A good night for all

Adriano

[montana]

Hi Adriano,

F/Lt David William Armstrong HARLING was shot down by a Fw 190 D-9 and was killed when his aircraft crashed on the roof of a house in the city of Brussels (this house was located on the corner of the "rue de Parme" and the "rue de la Victoire").
On that day Major Hackl, Ltn. Sy, Oblt. Glunz and Uffz. Burckhardt claimed a Spitfire above Brussels-Evere.

Rgds
Montana

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Montana,
You added new DATA. But, do you know if he was the only LOSS of 416 Squadron? There were other Spitfires in the air at that time? I know that Évère was the "house" of several other Squadrons, 127 Wing. Do you have more information on 416 Squadron losses that day?
Glad
Adriano

[montana]

Hi Adriano,

To my knowledge, F/Lt Harling was the only one of the 416 Sqn to take off. The other pilots of his Sqn were shot at while taxying on the track, but all were uninjured. Harling was the only Spit pilot to be buried at the Brussels-Evere cemetery on the 1/1/45.

Rgds
Montana

[Fairlop]

Hi Adriano,

There was 127 Wing - 403, 416 and 443 Sqn, led by W/C Johnson based on Evere.
Two Flights from the 403 Sqn had just taken off, while more from 416 Sqn were taxiing out. These were caught just as the first Spits were rolling down the runway. F/L Harling wa probably the only pilot to get airborne but maybe F/L Davey t/o too. Harling engaged Bf 109 and shot it down but was then himself attacked, s/d and killed. There were three a/c shot-up, taxying - cat E at Evere. F/L Nault, W/O Jean and P/O Williams in SM130, SM369, SM403. Another two a/c - SM274 and SM349 were damaged, Cat B.
Hope this helps.

Regards,
Michal

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Thanks a lot Fairlop!
I found the report of W/C Johnie Johnson on his book Wing Leader. It seems that 403 Squadron pilots, who took off early on a Recon mission shot down 6 enemy aircrafts while returning to base. I will check their losses and try to match the Luftwaffe claims. It seems however that some pilots claimed the taxying Spitfires as aerial-victims...
Cheers
Adriano

[Fairlop]

Adriano,

The 403 Sqn claimed 8-0-1 victories without a loss during the fight. There were two destroyed/damaged on the runway. SM206 - Cat.E and SM258 - Cat.B.

Michal