USAAF B-17 encounter with Ju88s off Lands End

[Roundway]

On 9 May 1944 an 8th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron Fortress returning from an Atlantic meteorological reconnaissance sortie at 2000 ft, was attacked by three JU88s, probably at approximately 49deg 45 min N 11 deg W (my estimate). The encounter lasted for about 20 minutes before the JU88s broke off, one apparently damaged.

The Fortress itself was badly damaged (it looked like a sieve) and landed with at least one engine out of action; it was subsequently deemed damaged beyond repair. Three of the USAAF crew and the RAF Meteorological Air Observer were wounded. The time of encounter was not given, but I estimate it to be late afternoon or early evening.

I'd be interested to know where the JU88s were based and if a report of the encounter survives.

Brian

[Nick Beale]

Ju 88s of ZG 1 were patrolling the SW Approaches. Encounters were reported by RAF aircraft as follows:

Intention: One Ju 88 out from 14W 5988 (Quimper) at 0425 [GMT+2], returning there at 0725.

No W/T

… At 0612 in [GMT+2] in 50.10N, 09º W a Wellington reported one identified a/c which could possibly have been identical with this Ju 88 … at 0637 the Wellington … which at 0612 sighted one a/c in 50.10N, 09W saw a Fortress pursued by Ju 88's.

At 0644 in 49.29N, 08.40W a Wellington sighted two Ju 88's.

At 0740 in 48.51N, 08.33W a Halifax was engaged by 7 Ju 88's and was damaged but returned to base.

(Source: National Archives HW 13/39)

[Chris Goss]

Halifax at 0740hrs was B/502 Sqn (Fg Off Galbraith) which returned with a dead WOp and Eng. Some of I./ZG 1 was operating out of Salon this day but III./ZG 1 was on a Freie Jagd out of Lorient up 0450hrs down 1000hrs but no mention of any engagement

[Stig Jarlevik]

Is the s/n of the USAAF B-17 known?
Can't find any relevant aircraft in my files....

Cheers
Stig

[Roundway]

Firstly gentlemen my apologies for not responding yesterday, I was having trouble with my pc, then the forum appeared to be down during the evening (unless it was something to do at my end).

Stig,

Regretfully 'No'. My description was abbreviated from an account given in Kington and Rackliff's Even the Birds Were Walking (The story of wartime meteorological reconnaissance), which in turn was taken from G R Sesler's 1996 book An accounting of the 25th Bomb Group (RCN, SP), 8th Air Force, WW11, Watton, England, 1944-1945.

The incident was described from memory by Keith J Clinton, Bombardier, 652nd 'Heavy Weather' Squadron, although I think that is the unit with which he was associated later in the summer.

Although I've not mentioned it in my very brief summary, a Mayday was broadcast and the aircraft was met by Spitfires after the Ju88s broke off their attack, and escorted it to St Mawgan. I'm trying to find which Spitfire squadron was involved.

At the time of the incident the B-17 was with the 8th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron; the pilot was Lt Clarence R Stephenson.

Brian

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thanks for checking
Cheers
Stig

[Leendert]

Incident is described in a hard to read 8th WRS narrative in AFHRA Reel B0771, p. 555. Date mentioned here is 8 May 1944 with 4 x Ju-88 attacking and B-17 landing at RAF St. Eval. Attack "200 miles from shore". Five crew members got medical attention (no names recorded).
Pilot Lt. Clarence R. Stephenson died in a B-17 crash at RAF Watton (42-31736) on 6 Sep 1944.

Also see https://catalog.archives.gov/id/1438...ect-thumb--670

Regards, Leendert

[Roundway]

Brilliant Leendert, much appreciated.

I now have a list of Spitfire squadrons covering the area, and was about to start looking at their ORBs. Memory can be misleading after some 45-50 years, and from the responses to date I was beginning to wonder if the date given by Clinton was the weak link in his account.

Grateful thanks,
Brian

[FrankieS]

interesting

[Chris Goss]

I have nothing for ZG 1 for 8 May-perhaps Nick has a mention?