Mosquito Claim No. 85 Squadron

[John Manrho]

Can anybody provide me with the combat report of 2x Bf 110 in the night of 17/18 September 1944 of F/O Alan Joseph Owen and his radaroperator F/O Viv McAllister (Mosquito Mk XIX van No. 85 squadron).

Are there any other claims known of Bf 110 during that night in the Arnhem area?

[Frank Olynyk]

John,
I have not found combat reports for Owen/McAllister for the night of Sept 17/18, nor for the night of Sept 23/24. Just the ORB reference.

The only other claim for the night of Sept 17/18 that I have found is for a 29 Sqn Mosquito XIII flown by Lt Price and Sub/Lt Armitage (both RNVR). This occurred at 2232, 15 m SSW of Munster. The combat report is Air 50/15-336&337.

Enjoy!

Frank.

[John Manrho]

Frank,

many thanks for the quick answer. Can you tell me what the ORB of No. 85 Sqn exactly tells us about the 17/18 September encounter/claims?

Just by coincidence, I just sent you an email with the same subject...:-)...

Regards,

John

[phasselgren]

John,

There is a summary of the combat report in Bomber Command´s Monthly supplementary narrative of operations:

Night 17/18th September

100 Group a/c Mosquito "J" of 85 Squadron position 5200N 0630E at 2122 hrs. when a visual was obtained on a Me.110 at 100 ft. When range was 180-200 yards. the Mosquito opened fire setting the E/A´s port engine on fire. The E/A spun to earth, exploding on the ground. The Me.110 is claimed as destroyed. At 2204 hrs. another Me.110 was sighted. Fire was opened at 200-250 yds. and the E/A was seen to catch fire in the centre section of both wings, followed by explosion in fuselage. Debris was seen to fly in all directions. The Me.110 is claimed as destroyed.


Regards,
Peter

[Frank Olynyk]

Peter,

Can you tell me where these Bomber Command supplementary narratives can be found at the PRO? I will be over there next August, and would like to review and copy the fighter claims.

Enjoy!

Frank.

[Col Bruggy]

Hello,

It should be noted that F/O A.J.Owen DFM, flying No.85 Sqn Mosquito NF.XIX TA400:VY-J*, disposed of a V-1 at 0430 in the Tenterden area on 4/5 August, 1944. Possibly flying same a/c on 17/18 September, 1944.

See:
Diver! Diver! Diver!
Cull Brian with Bruce Lander
London:Grub Street,2008
pp.271 & 415

* (85 Sqn.) Missing from Night Intruder 20/10/1944 (still coded VY-"J").

Col.

[phasselgren]

Frank,

AIR 50/294: Jan-Apr 1943

AIR 14/3433: Aug 1943-May 1945 but following months are missing May-Aug 1944 and Jan-Feb 1945

The missing months in AIR 14/3433 plus May-Jul 1943 can be found in Canadian archives but I have unfortunately no reference numbers.

Regards,
Peter

[Frank Olynyk]

Peter,
Thank you for the references. I will check AIR 14/3433 when I am in England next year. And see if I can locate the same material in the Canadian Archives.

Enjoy!

Frank.