Ju 88 claimed by 43 Sqn on 25 April 1942

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Hello,

On 25 April 1942, at around 1300 hrs, three pilots of 43 Sqn, Sqn Ldr David Albert Raymond Georges Leroy du Vivier, a Belgian pilot (Hurricane IIc BN230 FT-A), Plt Off Daniels (BN954) and Sgt Wilk (BD715) were patrolling at 32,000 feet when they saw a Ju 88 3000 ft below them. It immediately opened fire on the Hurricanes as they approached and begin to dive. The Hurricanes found it impossible to close to less than 400 yards, but opened fire nevertheless. Du Vivier's Hurricane was hit by a bullet that entered the cockpit and went through his Mae West without hitting him, but caused splinter wounds in his face and neck. The Ju 88 was then seen to crash into the sea off Newcastle and explode after one member of the crew baled out. Three burning patches were left on the water. Du Vivier returned to base with his aircraft that was listed as damaged Cat A. He claimed the Ju 88 as his, bringing his score to 4 victories (actually three personnal and two shared).

I am trying to identify the Ju 88 involved. I have two possible German losses. According to the Blitez T&N 3, both were lost during the night of 25-26 April 1942, but my guess is that one was lost during the day:

1) Ju 88 A-4 WNr 1540 of 1./506, lost over the North Sea with the whole crew MIA (Uffz. Michael Bartl (pilot), Lt. Joachim Ritzmann (observer), Uffz. Fritz Schmidt (radio) and Fw. Max Burdenski (air gunner)) (the loss is listed as on 25 April in the German loss lists)

2) Ju 88 D-5 WNr 430006 of 3(F)./122 lost over the North Sea with the whole crew MIA (Fw Josef Glomb, Lt Hans Müller, Ofw. Günther Jäschke and Uffz. Christian Hinsen)

If someone could provide the take off date for these aircraft I will be interested. Both units operated in daylight in this area other days in 1942, so both may be involved.

Thanks in advance