ID of a lost ME410?

[Danny Hill]

Can anyone identify an Me410 claimed as shot down over the English Channel, close to the French coast, on the night of 13th-14th March 1944, around about 1am? If not, could anyone identify the units that would be operating Me410's over the UK around this date?
Thankyou.

[Chris Goss]

V/KG 2 and II/KG 51 were the main operators of the 410 but there were no losses that night

[Nick Beale]

And there was 1.(F)/121 in the reconnaissance role.

[George Hopp]

According to a PoW from 1.(F)/121, whose a/c was shot down in the early morning hours of 26 April 1944, his a/c and that of an earlier recce that morning, were the first Me 410s shot down over England since January. The 5 crews lost between those dates were as follows: one caught fire and crashed during a test flight over Buc, another was shot down by German Flak, and 3 more fell to Allied fighters on or just before 20th April. So, the lost Me 410 would not appear to be from this unit.

By the by, does anyone have details on the Me 410 losses suffered by 1.(F)/121?

[Danny Hill]

Is it possible this was a Me210? I have the combat report made by the RAF pilot, one Sqn Ldr Parker-Rees, OC of 'B' Flight, 96Sqn operating Mosquito MkXIII's, who states that the identification was made by the position of the exhaust flames. Also, I have the log book of the radar operator, who states they were in contact for a long period- the "longest chase ever experienced". Seems strange that these experienced crew, in contact for a long period, could make such a mistake- What else looks like a 410/210? It was common practice to measure the wing span of the E/A via the gunsight ring, so rough size of the aircraft would be known. Any ideas anyone??
p.s. thanks for the info so far

[Brian Bines]

Danny I have sent a PM, any chance the date was either 12/13th. April or 13/14th April when S/L Parker Rees claimed Me 410's on both nights and KG 51 did have two missing and two crashed,
Regards
Brian Bines

[Chris Goss]

I agree with Brian. I have nothing for Parker-Ress and Bennett for Mar 44 but have a 'Ju 88/188' 12 Apr and a 410 destroyed 13-14 Mar (as well as Flt Lt Ward & Fg Off Eyles. As to 210/410 (or even Mosquito), to mistake the 3 was common enough at night-I know a Mossie pilot who was such a victim in late 1943

[Danny Hill]

Yes- Brian is correct- I was stupidly reading 13-14/4/44 as March instead of April- Idiot!
Thanks for the info!

[Brian Bines]

I know the feeling, more water with the whiskey helps,

Brian