Luftwaffe losses, Rhubarb operation 07/11/1941.

[Bernard]

Good morning to all,

On the 7th of November 1941, Sgt C.P King, No.263 Squadron claimed a
ME 109E on a rhubarb operation.

AIR/50/103.p 21.
Date: November 7th, 1941.
Flight, Squadron: Flight Red 3 & Red 1. Sqdn 263.
Number of enemy aircraft: 2.2.
Type of enemy aircraft: ME 109E.
Time attack was delivered: 14.20 14.25 hours.
Place attack was delivered: 3 miles west of Cap de la Hague.
Height of enemy: 3000.
Enemy casualties: 1 ME 109E claimed destroyed.
Our casualties: nil.

GENERAL REPORT ( r ).RHUBARB RECONNAISSANCE OFFENSIVE OPERATION. NOV.7TH. 1941.

I was Red 3 of five Whirlwinds of 263 Squadron ordered to reconnoitre distillary targets in or near the Cherbourg Peninsula, and to attack any other targets seen. I took off from Warmwell at 13.30 hours to reconnoitre target 205 at Hy…ville. I followed Red 1 ( P/O Warren ? ) at zero feet to a point three miles west of Cricqueville ? Where I left him to search for my particular target. I turned ? And flew up the river from …..Ville ? To Hy…ville?, where I recognised the target, and acting on instructions did not fire at it. I turned north to attack goods engines on the railway line, but at thismoment I saw two ME 109s on my starboard beam. One E/A dived to attack me and fired at extreme range. I turned at zero feet to ???; and climbed towards to cloud cover, eventually reaching 5000 feet. My Whirlwind outclimbed the ME 109s. I then flew northwards on a zig-zagcourse for about ten minutes. Cloud cover now diminshed at about 14.20 hours I could see that myposition was about three miles west of Cap de la Hague. At this moment I gaian saw two ME 109son my starboard beam about 300 feet above me. I was now flying at 3000 feet. Both the E/A turnedto port diving to beam attack on the starboard side. I dived slightly and turned to starboard keepingunderneath the E/A. then as one of the E/A turned to starboard again I was able to pull up and firea 1 1/2 second burst at him from 150 to 200 yards, using all deflection. There was an explosion like a ball of flames at the back of the cockpit of the E/A, wich immediately went into a very steepdive with black smoke and flames pouring from it. I claim this E/A as destroyed. The other E/A then broke off combat, flying towards Cap de la Hague. I then flew back to Warmwell at 3000 feetand landed at 14.45hours. My aircraft was undamaged.Confirmation of the destruction of this ME 109 was indicated by a conical tower of smoke seen three miles west of Cap de la Hague by Red 1 ( P/O Warnes ? ), who returned from a target furthersouth but on exactly the same course about five minutes later, that is at about 14.25 hours. P/OWarnes went to investigate the smoke, but found no shipping, and at once formed the opinion thatan aircraft had gone in here.

Enemy casualty. 1 ME 109E claimed destroyed.
Our casualties: Nil. C.P King Sgt Pilot.



What about this one ?

Many thanks.

Bernard.