Bf110 loss 24 May 1940

[alex crawford]

Hi,

Does anyone know the names of the crew of a Bf110C-1 from 3/ZG/76 that came down on a frozen lake near Upmasjaure, Sweden?

The aircraft was reportedly attacked by a Gladiator.

Four Bf110s strafed Bardufoss in the early morning of the 24th. This was where 263 Sqn was based in Norway. Fly Off Grant-Ede took off in pursuit but could only claim one of the twin engined fighters as damaged. It was later reported to have some down near a frozen lake near Thysfjord.

I don't now if Thysfjord is anywhere near Upmasjaure.

I know a number of claims made by 263 Sqn have yet to be verified by German records but any helpo would be appreciated.

Alex

[Peter]

Alex,


I have colleced some information regarding this Me110. My sources are mainely the books "LW in Sweden 1939-45" and "Nödlanding" both by Bo Widfeldt/Rolph Wegmann but also mail corespondance with Norwegian historian:

Piloted by Fw. Neureiter and radio operator Stabsing Thönes.
The Plane was NOT shot down by Grant Ede, it was shot down by Swedish AAA, confirmed by eyevittnes.

This is was I have collected:

Flying Officer Herman Francis Grant Ede DFC, RAF no. 33307

1917 – 8 June 1940

Grant Ede was born in 1917 and his parents lived in Pembroke, Bermuda.

He attended the RAF College at Cranwell as a Flight Cadet, being awarded a Permanent Commission in December 1937.

Promoted to Flying Officer in June 1939, he joined 111 Squadron in August.

On 7 May 1940 he was posted to 263 Squadron while this unit was preparing their return to Norway after their first attempt.

He was one of the two pilots who arrived to Norway aboard the carrier HMS Furious, which was transferring the units Gladiators.

On 21 May the Squadron's Gladiators took off from HMS Furious and flew to Bardufoss.

Around midday on 24 May five Ju52/3ms of KGrzbV 108 carrying 55 members of 2/GJR 137 arrived over Bjørnfjell from Trondheim. Five escorting Bf110s of I/ZG 76 broke away to undertake a 'Frei Jagd' against ground targets. Approaching Bardufoss, they were fired on by anti-aircraft guns and broke away, circling nearby. Grant Ede was scrambled in one of the Gladiators, and attacked one, but this broke off and dived away. He then attacked the second but his wing guns failed, and he dived for base as the other three Bf110s also broke off and departed.
Grant Ede was given credit for a damaged Bf110, but Leutnant Loobes of 3./ZG 76 must have thought he had shot the Gladiator down when it dived away for safety since he claimed the British fighter destroyed at 13:10. It is possible that Grant Ede's fire had indeed been effective, for one Bf110 of 1./ZG 76 force-landed on Upmasjaure Lake in Sweden shortly after 13:00. This was Bf110C-1 ‘M8+NK’ (WNr. 3920??) flown by Feldwebel Neureuter. The crew was picked up by an air-sea rescue He59 (D-ALYO) and flown to Trondheim. This aircraft is now preserved at Sinsheim, Germany.




May I ask why you are intereste`?

Best wishes from a sunny Sweden!

[alex crawford]

Hi Peter,


Many thanks for your reply.

I have a special interest in the Gladiator and have been researching this aircraft for over 20 years. I was lucky enough to have had a book published about this aircraft in 2002 by Mushroom Model Publications.

Gladiator pilots made over 650 claims from 1938 until 1943. These are claims for shot down, probables and damaged.

I have decided to compile an accurate listing of all claims in chronological order starting with the first on 28 February 1938. At present I have 475 claims listed and I am in the process of comparing the claims to actual German, Italian and Japanese losses.

Sources for these claims and comparison of losses comes from various books, journals, articles, websites and discussion groups such as this.

Thanks again for your help.

Alex

[Peter]

Alex,


I found your WEBsite and I like it. I am sure that you also covers the Swedish claims made by Gladiators in Finland. The F19 Wing was an all Swedish one helping the Finns out, but i'm sure yo already know that even if your site is missing that link.

I found the reference to the claim you asked for can also be found in Jet & Prop 1/96

Best of luck with the claim database!