Fairey Battle I in Action 21. May 1940

[hanshauprich]

Hello,
that day German Recco. Light Armored Cars from Pz.AA.59 where attackt in and near thel french village St. Austreberthe, Department Seine-Maritime (Normandy) The losses from AA 59 where hight, it looks like the Battles hit them by surprice whitout own losses. Is it possible to identify the Battle Sqdn?
Thanks!
h.

[MW Giles]

Battles did not go out in daylight on the 21st May

If it was the night of the 20/21 or 21/22 then I can have another look if you tell me which

[hanshauprich]

Hello
thanks a lot! Yes it would be nice to get the infos from the night missons on both days!!
Bests,
hans

[Col Bruggy]

Hello,

From Norman Franks' Valiant Wings:

Monday 20 May (1940).

Little wonder that Arthur Barratt requested a return to daylight operations. Night raids would achieve nothing and be of no help to either the BEF or the French. Nevertheless, his Battle squadrons began to fly night operations that night. They were considered too vulnerable for daylight raids.
Five Battles of 12 Squadron flew out and bombed Montcornet and Mezieres between 11.17 and 11.55 p.m., harassing enemy columns. 88, 103, 143, and 226 also flew night raids . 103's target was Fumay, over the border in Germany itself (five aircraft). Only one Battle was lost from 226 Squadron. They put up seven aircraft , and of the missing crew, the observer was killed, the pilot and gunner taken prisoner:
Sgt Annan
Sgt A. Livingston
AC R.J. Jonas - K9176*

Tuesday 21 May (1940).

Night ops for the Battles were again the form and 88 and 226 Squadrons made sorties without loss or major incident. Further planned sorties were suddenly cancelled by AASF HQ.

See:
Valiant Wings The Battle and Blenheim Squadrons over France 1940.
Franks, Norman L. R.
London:William Kimber,1988.
pp.198-203. (also check Crecy, 2nd revised and updated edition).

Col.

[MW Giles]

20/21 May 1940

76 Wing 12/13 Battles
12 Sqn 5 Battles to Mezieres and Montcornet
142 Sqn 2 Battles to Charleville
226 Sqn 5/6 1 lost (K9176) Battles to Montcornet

75 Wing 26 Battles
88 Sqn to Givet
103 Sqn to Fumay
150 Sqn to Montherme
218 Sqn to Dinant

2 bombed Dinant, 1 bombed Annevoie, 8 bombed in and around Montherme, 1 bombed searchlights NW of Sedan, 1 bombed Revin, 6 bombed Givet and 5 Fumay. 2 are unaccounted for (early returns?)

21/22 May 1940
76 Wing 4 Battles
226 Sqn 3/4 bombed Florenville (Charleville?), the other bombed Carignan

75 Wing 8 Battles
88 Sqn sent 4 to Givet, but they bombed near Mezieres (2) and Nouzonville (1), the other returned early
103 Sqn despatched 1 a/c that bombed Fumay (or not according to ORB)
150 Sqn sent 3 a/c to Mezieres

Regards

Martin

[zorglub]

Hello ,

21 May 1940 in Seine-Maritime ... impossible. Should be Ste Autreberthe in Pas de Calais .

[hanshauprich]

Hello
thanks for all infos! Yes it was in Pas de Calais. But after more research it was no Battle I! The attack was flown by Blenheims with Hurricane top cover.
h.