Claims for two Fw 190s destroyed 17 May 1943

[Roundway]

During the early afternoon of 17 May 1943 331 Squadron claimed to have shot down two Fw 190s north of Guernsey. I'd be grateful for any details of the two aircraft, and wonder if either pilot survived.

[Nick Beale]

Loss reports for the period 3 May–2 June are onlne (free and downloadable) at the Bundesarchiv in file RL 2-III/1189: https://invenio.bundesarchiv.de/invenio/main.xhtml

[Roundway]

Much obliged Nick.

Brian

[Chris Goss]

5./JG 2 lost 2 x Bf 109 G-6s north of Morlaix on this day but I can see no Fw 190s

[Roundway]

Thank you for the correction, Chris.

The combat reports of the actions are at pages 68 and 69 of 198 of https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...ils/r/C2504369 . (Appendices
to the 331 Squadron ORB). Both reports describe the combats as taking place north of the Channel Islands and Luftwaffe aircraft crashing into the sea. Although these are described as Fw 190s I can appreciate how the mis-identification might have occurred.

Brian

[Franek Grabowski]

Originally Posted by Chris Goss

5./JG 2 lost 2 x Bf 109 G-6s north of Morlaix on this day but I can see no Fw 190s

I wonder if those losses are related to Ramrod 66 the previous day.

[Chris Goss]

Various sources say 17 May 43 Franek

[Franek Grabowski]

I see, but is not it possible that the error generated from a single report that was then multiplied? Of course if there are losses that could be associated to Ramrod 66 my comment is irrelevant.

[Roundway]

Reports were rendered by two 331 Sqn pilots flying as part of Circus 29 on the 17th, Franek. Time of action 1300 BST.

Brian

[Franek Grabowski]

The problem is Morlaix is nowhere near Channel Islands. There were clashes over Morlaix, but on 16.