153 Squadron RAF in April 1943 - Missing claims

[Russell]

Hi All,
153 were operating Beaufighter VIF's defending Algiers in April 1943. The downloadable version of their ORB does not mention the following activities. The information comes from the 323 Wing War Diary.

7th April Ju 88 destroyed north of Bone at unknown time, possible daylight. The 88's crew were POW.

19th April 3 Ju 88 destroyed and 1 probably destroyed near Algiers. Unknown time but probably at night.

21 April 2 Ju 88 destroyed near Algiers. Unknown time but probably at night.

Does someone have information on who the crews making the claims were?

Thanks in anticipation

Russell

[udf_00]

325 Wing ?
The 2 pics are unreadable but the item must be stored somewhere.
http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30087283

[Laurent Rizzotti]

No answer, but I had some notes about the evening of 18 April 1943 that may help.

It is an extract from the "old" book "Fighters over Tunisia", page 323:
" At 1915 two Hurricanes of 73 Squadron flown by Sgts.Ross and Wilkinson were sent to patrol from Hammamet to Cap Bon, looking for Ju 52s force-landed on the beach following the evening’s great battle, these they found and strafed, three catching fire and two more being hit. At the same time a Beaufighter of 153 Squadron was scrambled, orbiting off the coast until a Ju 88 was seen at 2,500 feet; closing to 800 feet range, F/Sgt. Linklater, with Sgt. Anthony as operator, opened fire, hitting the starboard wing and engine. He overshot and came round again from dead astern, firing at 600 feet; this time strikes were seen all over the fuselage and the bomber burst into flames, crashing into the sea. He then attacked a second and saw many strikes, this aircraft last being seen at 1,000 feet, still going down.
600 Squadron was maintaining a detachment at Maison Blanche, attached to 153 Squadron. At 1940 FO Mellersch with PO Stanley, took off to patrol, intercepting a Ju 88 at 2000, 40 miles north of Algiers. He shot down this bomber, then shooting down a second at 2005, 20 miles further out to sea. I/KG 54 reported the loss of one Ju 88 too a fighter over Algiers, and III/KG 77 also reported one lost in this area, but to AA."


So two possible way of searching:
1) the Wing War Diary registered claims on 19 april while they were made on the night of 18-19, and actually during the evening of the 18th
2) the Wing War Diary includes in the total of 153 Sqn claims made by 600 Squadron detachment at Maison Blanche, as the latter probably reports to the Wing through 153 Sqn. But kills achieved by this detachment will be in 600 Sqn ORB.


The above is taken of notes I did while reading the cited book in a public library years ago (before the age of numeric pictures...) and sadly I have not the pages for your other dates.

[Russell]

UDF and Laurent

Thanks for the responses. Laurent, I think you are correct, its the Mellersh claims. I shall double check the 600 ORB and see if it mentions the earlier dates.

Cheers

Russell