Friendly fire WWII

[shooshoobaby]

Brian - I don't have the MACR. I got the info from Mighty Eighth Combat Chronology.

[Brian]

Thanks anyway, Mike.

At long last I have received a copy of Olsen's 'Aphrodite Desperate Mission', as recommended by you. Haven't had a chance to read it yet but I am aware it's full of very useful information. One entry I did notice, however (on page 65) mentioned RAF fighters shooting down three B-24s returning late from a mission, circa June/July 1944. Any ideas?

Cheers
Brian

I have since noted that the 34thBG lost four B-24s to 'intruders' on the night of 6/7 June 1944. Any information?

[Laurent Rizzotti]

James P Deadly testimony on the Net:

"In the Spring of 1945 1 was shot down again, this time over American soil by an American captain while I was towing a target from a P51 for aerial gunnery practice. He flew too close and was over eager to try for a good score! But therein lies another tale."

This probably occured over Florida on 20 March 1945, Deadly was flying the P-51K 44-11814 (at least he is recorded to have an "accident" this day with this aircraft).

Source:
http://www.324thfighter.org/ToTellTh.../telltale.html
http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/s...sp?Pilot=Dealy

[BIGVERN1966]

23 Dec 42 Beaufighter (mark unknown, most likely a VIf) V8387 shot down by Spitfire (Mark unknown, most likely a Vb) EP398. Beuafighter was fitted with the only example of A.I. Mk IX radar and was being operated out of RAF Coltishall as part of 'Window' trials. Pilot (unknown) and Radar Operator (Dr Downing of TRE) killed. Pilot of Spitfire (unknown) was Canadian on his first operational sortie.

Source of Info - Station history of RAF Coltishall by Mick Jennings.

[Brian]

Hi Bruce

Thanks - the date of this incident was 17 April 1940 but I don't know the identity of the JG51 pilot concerned. Anyone any ideas?

Cheers
Brian

[Brian]

Hi BigVern

The Beaufighter (V8387) was flown by Sqn Ldr Henry Mould. He and Flt Lt Dr Downing were the tragic victims of Sgt Norman Gerrand RCAF of 167 Squadron, who also attacked and damaged the second Beaufighter (X7583).

I was interested in your note about a Firefly of NFIS operating from Coltishall against the V-1 carrying Heinkels of III/KG53. This was new to me and I would be intested if you have any further infomation.

Cheers
Brian

[BIGVERN1966]

Originally Posted by Brian

Hi BigVern

The Beaufighter (V8387) was flown by Sqn Ldr Henry Mould. He and Flt Lt Dr Downing were the tragic victims of Sgt Norman Gerrand RCAF of 167 Squadron, who also attacked and damaged the second Beaufighter (X7583).

I was interested in your note about a Firefly of NFIS operating from Coltishall against the V-1 carrying Heinkels of III/KG53. This was new to me and I would be intested if you have any further infomation.

Cheers
Brian

Hi Brian

The Information about the detachments is in both Coltishall's and Ford's ORB. This sortie I listed (out of the Coltishall ORB) ended with the Firefly turning back near the Dutch coast with engine problems, after chasing one of the contacts across the North Sea in very bad weather. The Firefly pilot got very short visual contacts and only got one burst of 20 mm in at long range with no observable effects.

Regards Richard

[Juha]

Brian
in W. Harrison's FAIREY FIREFLY The Operational Record. Airlife 1992 ISBN 1 85310 196 6 there is on pp. 53 - 55 some detailled info on Firefly missions against He 111/V-1 combinations.

HTH
Juha

[Brian]

Thanks Richard & Juha - I will see if I can obtain a copy of Harrison's book.

Cheers
Brian

[BIGVERN1966]

Originally Posted by Brian

Thanks Richard & Juha - I will see if I can obtain a copy of Harrison's book.

Cheers
Brian

Hi Brain

I'm after informtion about the Fireflies at Coltishall for a Profile, so any info in this direction would be helpful. (I have been told that there is a photo of a Firefly at Coltishall at the FAA Museum archive somewere).

Richard