Uffz. Mannetstetter, 8./JG 2 vs. Whitley V, 3 June 1943

[Mikkel Plannthin]

I am present researching the RCAF service of Danish-Canadian Air Gunner Eric Haakon Neilson. He is lost in action on 3 June 1943 in Whitley V BD414 'J'. The aircraft took off 1045 hours from St. Eval on an anti-submarine patrol over the Bay of Biscay.

In contemporary documents all that is mentioned is that it failed to return and that no communication was received from the aircraft. The crew was lost
- Captain AUS.415212 Flight Sergeant Douglas Frederick Bavin (Pupil Pilot), RAAF
- 2nd Pilot J.22032 Pilot Officer Harold Douglas Pepper (Pupil Pilot), RCAF
- Navigator J.14637 Pilot Officer David Taylor Dorward (Pupil Navigator), RCAF
- WT/AG 1385126 Sergeant Colin Arthur Richardson (Pupil WT/AG), RAFVR
- B/A 136821 Pilot Officer Cecil Aspland Nicholds (Pupil B/A), RAFVR
- A/G R.10786 Sergeant Eric Haakon Neilson (Pupil A/G), RCAF

All were 10 OTU except for the 2nd pilot.

In Tony Wood's claims list Uffz. Mannetstetter of 8./JG 2 is listed as having claimed a Whitley V on the position 7082 / 15 West: 500 m. at 20.14 hours on 3 June 1943. This position correspond to Long: 49.208336 Lat: -6.25 or about 100 km SW of Land's End. Hence, it seems likely that BD414 could be the victim Mannetstetter. As far as I can gather III/JG2 operated from Fontenay-le-Comte at the time.

Would anyone of you Luftwaffe experten know if Mannetstetter's aerial victory has ever been matched to a specific Whitley lost on this day?

Regards

Mikkel Plannthin

[Chris Goss]

I believe that it was Hermann Mannetstetter who got this Whitley

[Mikkel Plannthin]

Chris
Thank you! Do you have a source?

Regards

Mikkel

[Chris Goss]

Hans Ring and probability

[Mikkel Plannthin]

thanks, Chris. Mikkel

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Chris will know better than me, but it is possible that at the time 8./JG 2 was detached from III./JG 2 for patrols over the Bay of Biscay to intercept Coastal Command aircraft.

At least it was in such a situation at the end of 1942 and in the first months of 1943 but I am not so sure for a date as late as June.

[Jochen Prien]

Dear Mikkel,

Uffz. Hermann Mannetstetter of 8./JG 2 was the only pilot who claimed on this occasion and his claim was confirmed. According to the Gefechtsbericht of JaFü 4 as forwarded in Einzelmeldung Nr. 7 on that date three Fw 190s of 8./JG 2 took off at 19.34 hrs. on a free chase against anti-submarine a/c. They engaged a Whitlwy about 100 kms northwest of Ouessant which was shot down from a height of 500 m by Uffz. Mannetstetter, the Whitley exploding in the air so that only debris was seen falling into the sea. the claim was conformed as the first for Hermann Mannetstetter.

Hope that helps

Regards

Jochen Prien