FAA claims 06 May & 08 May 1944

[Bruce Lander]

Hi

on 6th May 1944 several Wildcats of 882 & 898 Squadrons claimed 2 Bv.138's
over the Norwegian Coast ( or possibly 3 ).

On 08 May 1944 again several Wildcats of 898 claimed 1 Bv.138 in same area

Lt.J.A.Cotching of 882 Sq was one of the 06 May claimants, can anyone provide names of the other pilots involved in these actions and/or the details of the Bv.138's

cheers

Bruce Lander

[Michal R.]

In one Czech books, which come out from English Source, is that on 08 May 1944 898 squadron shot down Bv 138 C-1 (W.Nr.0311031, 6I+EK) from 2./SAGr 130. But there are not pilot's names.

Maybe this help
Regards
Michal

[Leendert]

There have been posts on this subject on the Luftwaffe and Axis Air Forces forum, starting 7 May 2007 (BV 138 Loss Norway)

FYI: Acting Lt. John Arthur Cotching went Missing-Killed in Action on 8 May 1944 in an attack on a German convoy (Operation Hoops).
HMS Searcher, 882 Squadron.

Regards,

Leendert
Brugge/Belgium

[keith A]

Hi Bruce,

I am sure that only two Bv138s were claimed, and that these were destroyed by Black Flight on either 6 or 8 May 1944. These victories seems so identical in time and location that it's two kills shared by several pilots?

[BruceMk11]

A recent article in Flightpath reveals Fred Sherborne, 882 NAS, had a share in two Bv 138s on the 6/5/44.

See Flightpath, Vol. 29 no. 3, pp 54-59. The author is one Andy Wright (and it's a very good article).

Also, Fred Sherborne's son, Guy, has published a biography of his father.

http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=50837

Cheers,

Bruce

[Frank Olynyk]

According to my files, on May 6, 1944 882 Sqn was credited with a Squadron Victory over a BV 138 between 0810 and 0820 NE of Vevang, Norway. In addition, 898 Sqn was also credited with a Squadron Victory over a BV 138 at the same time and location. My reference is CR: ADM 199/844; unfortunately this volume is not paginated.

On May 8, 1944 at 0830 aircraft Black 1 of 898 Sqn was credited with a BV 138SW of Haram, between Harem & tip of Lepso, Norway. No name, but he was flying Wildcat V JV404 coded 7W. At the same time and location Black 1, 2, 3 and 4 were credited with an additional BV 138. Flying JV404/7W, JV399/7Y, JV425/7Q, and JV496/7V. The reference is again CR: ADM 199/844.

I haven't attempted to get out a map of Norway and compare these locations. If the dates are correct, and these are two distinct (double) combats, perhaps they just caught the standard early morning recce search?

I wonder if the ship's log for the relevant carrier(s) has any additional information.

Enjoy!

Frank.

[BruceMk11]

Thanks Frank.

[Rainer]

There was another thread about these BV 138 losses: http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=46512

Details about the known German losses on these days can be found here: http://www.luftwaffe-zur-see.de/Seel...n/Jahr1944.htm