Which Lancaster attacked Mosquito MM818 of 488 Squadron on 8 March 1945 ?

[Luc Vervoort]

Hi,


On 8 March 1945 the port engine of Mosquito MM818 of 488 Squadron was damaged by a Lancaster in the Köln area. The damaged Mosquito landed at 22h30 at As (= Asch Y29,Belgium ) airfield.(Source orb of 488 Squadron AIR27/1936)

Capt.Mathews, S2 of 406 Gp. (USAAF unit based at Y-29 As) reported :
Mosquito # MM818, of 488 Night fighter Sq., 149 Wing, Site B48, landed at Y-29 at 2230 hours. Pilot Off.Muldrew. Time up 2030, time down at Y-29 2230. Controller reported Bogie in Koln area about 100 hours obtained radar at 8 miles heading 270°. Made a visual at 1000 yards and then closing into fire, was fired upon. Bogie turned off and was then identified as a Lancaster. Received hits on port engine. Had to be feathered. Then homed to Y-29. Overshot field and further damage (category undetermined). Crew not hurt. (source : Afhra Reel B5635 p.758)

The orb of 100 Squadron (AIR 27/798) mentions for the raid to Kassel during the night 8-9 March 1945:
P “Peter” - observed a Me410 burning a green light at 15,000 ft at 2159 hours. The rear gunner opened fire and the enemy aircraft broke away with smoke and flame issuing from port engine – no return fire was forthcoming. Fishpond gave no warning of this aircraft’s presence.

P “Peter “ was Lancaster III PB462.

Could it have been the rear gunner of PB462 who fired at the Mosquito ?

Your comments are highly appreciated.

Many thanks and best regards


Luc

[MW Giles]

The Interception and Tactics Report for the night says

Kassel - Outward 2 combats N of the Ruhr. Target - 1 attack and 3 combats. Homeward - 1 combat near the Rhine

Kassel TOT was 21:25 to 21:50 hrs

For the night as a whole the Night Raid Report says 1 Ju188 destroyed, 1 Ju88 probably destroyed and 1 Me410 damaged

The I&TR and the NRR are not consistent as there should be two attacks from the Kassel raid if the following is correct

I have the following claims on my list

- Ju88 claimed as a probable by 150 Sqn Lanc at 21:03 hrs at 5153N 0645E (outward)
- Me410 damaged by 100 Sqn Lanc at 21:59 hrs (homeward)
- Ju188 destroyed by 85 Sqn Mosquito at 22:04 hrs near Hagen

this is consistent with the Night Raid Report

Your conclusion could well be correct

Regards

Martin

[Luc Vervoort]

Martin,


Many thanks for the additional information.


Checked the digital combat reports (TNA AIR 50), but without any positive result.


Best regards


Luc