Blenheim claim September 18th 1940

[Steve Smith]

Hi,

A Bristol Blenheim of No.218 squadron was lost while on a reconnaissance operation between Knocke and The Hague. The aircraft departed RAF Oakington at 15:55 hours and did not return. Was there any claims for Blenheim in this area during the early evening?

TIA

Steve

[Nick Hector]

Hi Steve,

I haven't found one the 18th but there is one on the 19th at 1725 (German time) which I have not been able to attributed to an RAF loss:

19.9.40/1725 2./JG 53 Blenheim Hastings

I am guessing the location might preclude even more than the timing...?


Source OKL+JFV d.Dt.Lw. 4/II-139B via Tony Wood

[Steve Smith]

Hi Nick,

Sorry mate, it should be 8th September and NOT 18th.

Kind regards

Steve

[Nick Hector]

No worries, Steve

For that date there are only a couple of claims in the afternoon and they are attributed to 53 sqn's losses

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Dear STEVE,

I do quote from "THE JG 26 War Diary - Vol.1, by Donald Caldwell, page 72, ISBN 1-898697-52-3
"Major Galland led the Geschwader on an escort mission to London docks and the oil installation along the Thames, which were still burning from previous raids. The unit made no contact with Fighter Command, but on the return flight the 1st Staffel, Gefreiter Scheidt encountered a Coastal Command Blenheim, withdrawing after an attack on invasion shipping in Calais harbour, and shot it down".

The author do identify this machine as being a 153 Squadron Blenheim, apparently 15 miles to the North of Calais, at 500 meters of height.

However, there were other LW claims against Blenheims that day:
Lt. Heinz Altendorf (from 7./JG 53) - place and time unknown to me
Oblt. Rudolf Busch (from 3./JG 51) - mid channel - time unknwon

Most humbly yours,
Adriano S. Baumgartner
Oblt. Ludwig Franzisket (from 7./JG 27) - near Calais

[Steve Smith]

Hi Gents,

Thank you both, if there are no fighter claims after 15:55 hours (the time when L8848 took off) then it can only leave flak, pilot error, navigational error or engine(s) failure.

Thanks for your time.

Regards

Steve

[Nick Hector]

Originally Posted by Steve Smith

Hi Gents,

Thank you both, if there are no fighter claims after 15:55 hours (the time when L8848 took off) then it can only leave flak, pilot error, navigational error or engine(s) failure.

Thanks for your time.

Regards

Steve

You're welcome