Friendly fire WWII

[Gunther]

I believe that the Air Force Command and Staff School at Maxwell AFB (Alabama) published a short survey of friendly fire incidents from WW II onward. Sorry I do not have the actual title.

Dear Brian,

Just returned from Maxwell AFB searching the USAAF accident reports for 416 NFS Beau and Mossie crashes. By accident I found a report on C-46D 4477654 that was shot down by UK ground defenses near the English coast 4 March 1945 killing all on board. It says the aircraft crashed into the channel in the Humber area. Do you want this report for your project?

Norman Malayney
nmalayneyATyahoo.com

[Brian]

Hi Norman

That would be great - many thanks. I do have the basics relating to this incident but not much more.

Best to you
Brian

Dear Brian,

I misplaced your home address. Please e-mail this so I may mail the C-46 accident report.

Norman Malayney
nmalayneyATyahoo.com

[Six Nifty .50s]

Originally Posted by Six Nifty .50s

That sounds like the end of Blenheim V5568 of the 1401 weather flight, last seen on 27th May 1942. Reputedly shot down in error by an RAF Whirlwind pilot from 137 Squadron. Flying Officer Marshall, Sergeant Thimblebee, and Sergeant Gray were never heard from again and reported MIA.

Found it in Graham Warner's fine study from Crécy Publishing. Unfortunately there were many known losses of Blenheims to own fire; I will list the whole lot when I finish reading it.

As promised, data from:
Warner, Graham. Bristol Blenheim: A Complete History. 2nd Edition. (Manchester, U.K.: Crecy Publishing, 2005): ...

3 September 1939
Three Blenheims (601 Squadron) drew gunfire from British anti-aircraft batteries near Biggin Hill, U.K. Fortunately all shots missed. (p.138)

3 January 1940
Blenheim L1410 (18 Squadron). Attacked by RAF Hurricane but escaped. Later shot down by German fighter on same day. (p.167).

15 March 1940
Blenheim L9249 (57 Squadron). Believed to be shot down by anti-aircraft fire from Allied troops and crashed near Metz, France. Two crewmen killed and one injured. (p.167).

12 May 1940
Blenheim N6169 (59 Squadron). Damaged by anti-aircraft fire from Belgian troops near Renaix, France. One crewman wounded. (p.196).

15 May 1940
Blenheim L9399 (53 Squadron). Shot down by RAF Hurricane and crashed near Tournai, France. Three crewmen killed. (p.214)

16 May 1940
Blenheim N6168 (59 Squadron). Damaged in attack by RAF Hurricane and crashed at Vitry, France. Crew survived. (p.214).

16 May 1940
Blenheim L4852 (53 Squadron). Damaged in attack by RAF Hurricane and then shot down by anti-aircraft fire from Allied troops during landing approach. Crashed at Glisy, France. Crew injured. (p.205,214).

18 May 1940
Blenheim L9395 (235 Squadron). Believed to be shot down by RAF Hurricane and crashed into sea off Ostend, Belgium. Three crewmen killed. (p.232).

21 May 1940
Blenheim L9185 (18 Squadron). Shot down by RAF Spitfire and crash-landed near Boulogne, France. Crew injured. (p.226).

21 May 1940
Blenheim L9325 (18 Squadron). Shot down by RAF Hurricane and crashed near Arras, France. Three crewmen killed. (p.226).

22 May 1940
Blenheim L9266 (59 Squadron). Shot down by RAF Spitfire and crashed near Fricourt, France. Three crewmen killed. (p.226).

9 August 1940
Blenheim L8679 (600 Squadron). Shot down by British anti-aircraft fire and crashed near Westgate, U.K. Crew survived. (p.270).

15 August 1940
Blenheim L6610 (604 Squadron). Damaged in attack by RAF Spitfire and crash-landed at Middle Wallop, U.K. Crew injured. (p.270).

20 August 1940
Blenheim Z5729 (236 Squadron). Damaged by British anti-aircraft fire near Pembroke Dock, U.K. Made forced landing at base. Crew survived. (p.268).

24 August 1940
Blenheim T1804 (235 Squadron). Shot down by RAF Hurricane and crashed into Bracklesham Bay, U.K. Two crewmen killed. (p.268).

24 August 1940
Blenheim Z5736 (235 Squadron). Damaged in attack by RAF Hurricane over Bracklesham Bay, U.K. Crash-landed at base. Crew survived. (p.268).

24 August 1940
Blenheim N3531 (235 Squadron). Damaged in attack by RAF Hurricane over Bracklesham Bay, U.K. Crash-landed near Thorney Island. Crew survived. (p.268).

3 September 1940
Blenheim L1512 (25 Squadron). Shot down by RAF Hurricane and crashed near North Weald, U.K. Pilot killed and observer bailed out safely. (p.270).

3 September 1940
Blenheim L8656 (25 Squadron). Damaged in attack by RAF Hurricane and made forced landing near Hatfield Heath, U.K. Crew survived. (p.270).

3 September 1940
Blenheim L1409 (25 Squadron). Damaged in attack by RAF Hurricane and made forced landing near North Weald, U.K. Crew survived. (p.270).

28 September 1940
Blenheim L1371 (29 Squadron). Damaged by British anti-aircraft fire and made forced landing at Digby, U.K. Crew survived. (p.271).

2 October 1940
Blenheim R3629 (254 Squadron). Damaged in attack by RAF Hurricane over English Channel and crash-landed at Montrose, U.K. Crew survived. (p.289).

13 October 1940
Blenheim L6637 (29 Squadron). Shot down by RAF Hurricane and crashed into sea off Point of Ayr, U.K. Three crewmen killed. (p.288).

13 October 1940
Blenheim K7135 (29 Squadron). Damaged in attack by RAF Hurricane near Liverpool, U.K. Crew survived. (p.288).

26 October 1940
Blenheim T2057 (14 Squadron). Shot down by RAF Gladiator and crashed near Port Sudan, East Africa. Crew injured. (p.427).

27 October 1940
Blenheim T2068 (113 Squadron). Navigational error on return flight from air strike in Libya and also came under fire from Allied anti-aircraft guns. Crew bailed out near Amriya, Iraq. (p.425).

10 November 1940
Following a raid on Kalpaki, RHAF (Royal Hellenic Air Force) Blenheims were fired at by their own airfield defenses at Larissa, Greece. The hot reception caused a detour to Medini, where the Blenheims were again attacked by friendly anti-aircraft fire. They orbited the airstrip until empty fuel tanks forced a landing. One Blenheim crashed and the Greek pilot broke his back. (p.429).

24 November 1940
Blenheim Z5734 (272 Squadron). Attacked by FAA Fulmar over British convoy, stalled in low-altitude turn and crashed into sea off U.K. Three crewmen killed. (p.289).

9 December 1940
Blenheim N3617 (114 Squadron). Damaged by anti-aircraft fire from Allied convoy off Yarmouth and crashed at Newport, U.K. Three crewmen killed. (p.292).

5 January 1941
Blenheim T2134 (139 Squadron). Damaged by British anti-aircraft fire near Lowestoft, U.K. Crew survived. (p.303).

31 January 1941
Blenheim R3903 (139 Squadron). Damaged by British anti-aircraft fire near Southwold, U.K. Crew survived. (p.303).

13 February 1941
Blenheim R3679 (53 Squadron). Damaged in attack by RAF Spitfire and made forced landing at Bircham-Newton, U.K. Crew survived. (p.307).

1 April 1941
Blenheim T2398 (53 Squadron). Damaged in attack by RAF Hurricane and made forced landing at base in U.K. Crew survived. (p.308).

6 April 1941
Blenheim ----- (11 Grupa) of the Jugoslovensko Kraljevsko Ratno Vazduhoplovsto (Royal Yugoslav Air Force). During a bombing raid to Romania, this aircraft was shot down by a JKRV Messerchmitt 109. Three crewmen were killed. (p.441).

14 April 1941
Blenheim T2177 (113 Squadron). Damaged by anti-aircraft fire from British Commonwealth troops near Gravena, Greece. Crew survived. The pilot was sent to deliver unfused bombs for Kiwi sappers who had no explosives to demolish a bridge assigned to them. The Blenheim circled the drop zone with wheels down and popped recognition flares, with no effect on the hostile replies of the New Zealanders. (p.446,453).

26 April 1941
Blenheim fighters from 30 and 203 Squadrons were tasked as top cover for a British convoy off Suda Bay, Crete. Evidently the squadron leaders were not informed of these duplicate assignments and did not expect a meeting over the ships. The two units intercepted each other in confusion and attacked until some Ju 88 bombers appeared near the melee. The Royal Navy opened fire on all of the planes indiscriminately. (p.448).

27 April 1941
Blenheim K7177 (30 Squadron). Damaged by gunfire from British warship and crash-landed at Maleme, Crete. Crew survived. (p.449,453).

28 April 1941
Blenheim L9044 (203 Squadron). Shot down by gunfire from British warship and ditched in sea off Crete. Crew rescued. The Blenheims again circuited the area with undercarriage lowered and flashed the correct identification signals, which did not persuade the navy gunners to stop shooting at them. (p.449,453).

30 April 1941
Blenheim L9215 (203 Squadron). Damaged in attack by FAA Fulmar off Crete. The crew survived, and this time Verey pistol cartridges and flashing Aldis lamps caused the navy fighters to break off. (p.453).

9 May 1941
Blenheim V6379 (18 Squadron). Shot down by gunfire from British warship and crashed into sea off U.K. Three crewmen killed. (p.343).

23 May 1941
Attempts were made to reinforce the island fortress of Crete with RAF Hurricanes staged from the Middle East. In this case a flight of six were led by a Blenheim, and these were dispersed by intense anti-aircraft fire from British navy warships. Five Hurricanes returned to Egypt. The Blenheim and remaining Hurricane landed at Heraklion though the latter was destroyed 30 minutes later. (p.451).

27 May 1941
Blenheim V6460 (82 Squadron). Destroyed by own bomb blast during anti-shipping strike. Crashed into sea off Malta. Two crewmen killed and one taken prisoner. (p.518).

27 May 1941
Blenheim V6427 (82 Squadron). Destroyed by own bomb blast during anti-shipping strike. Crashed into sea off Malta. Three crewmen killed. (p.518).

8 June 1941
Blenheim V5680 (139 Squadron). Destroyed by flying debris from target vessel during anti-shipping strike. Crashed into sea off Malta. Three crewmen killed. (p.518).

28 June 1941
Blenheim V5755 (75 Wing). Shot down by British anti-aircraft fire and crashed near Lydd, U.K. Four crewmen killed. (p.352).

2 July 1941
During armed reconnaissance for a suspected enemy convoy, a Blenheim crew of 45 Squadron located several warships off Tyre, Palestine. The pilot radioed their position and attacked through heavy anti-aircraft fire. It's not clear if any damage was caused but the target ships belonged to the British Navy. (p.464).

9 August 1941
Blenheim V5990 (113 Squadron). Shot down by RAF night-fighter and crashed into sea off Mersa Matruh, Egypt. Two crewmen killed and one injured. (p.485).

30 August 1941
Blenheim Z7641 (107 Squadron). Damaged by bomb blasts during raid on Licata, Sicily. Crash-landed on Malta. Crew injured. (p.519).

20 September 1941
Blenheim R3843 (18 Squadron). Flew into bomb bursts during anti-shipping strike. Crashed into sea off Zandvoort, Holland with three crewmen killed. The teenage Canadian pilot had dropped an unusual load on St. Omer airfield a month earlier; a wooden box that contained a spare artificial leg for a British POW - Wing Commander Douglas Bader. (p.366,372).

20 September 1941
Blenheim V6422 (226 Squadron). Destroyed by own bomb blast during anti-shipping strike. Crashed into sea off Amsterdam, Holland. Three crewmen killed. (p.372).

22 October 1941
Blenheim Z7898 (18 Squadron). Destroyed by blast from bombs dropped by leading aircraft and crashed near Homs, Syria. Three crewmen killed. (p.520).

15 November 1941
Blenheim T2324 (54 Operational Training Unit). Shot down by RAF Spitfire and crashed near Wetherby, U.K. Pilot bailed out safely but observer was killed. (p.378).

28 November 1941
Blenheim Z7703 (11 Squadron). Shot down by anti-aircraft fire from British Commonwealth troops and crashed near the Tobruk-Bardia road, Egypt. Three crewmen killed. (p.486).

30 November 1941
Blenheim Z7589 (Western Desert Command Flight). Shot down by anti-aircraft fire from British Commonwealth troops and crashed near Gialo Oasis, Sudan. Three crewmen and one army passenger killed. (p.494).

28 December 1941
Blenheim L1243 (62 Squadron). Shot down by anti-aircraft fire from British Commonwealth troops and crashed near Port Swettenham, Malaya. Two crewmen killed and one injured. (p.552,556).

28 December 1941
Blenheim ----- (62 Squadron). Damaged by anti-aircraft fire from British Commonwealth troops near Port Swettenham, Malaya. Crew survived. (p.552).

29 January 1942
Blenheim Z7271 (21 Squadron). Destroyed by blast from bombs dropped by leading aircraft and crashed near Tripoli, Lebanon. Two crewmen killed and one injured. (p.521).

21 February 1942
Retreating columns of troops with some 300 vehicles from the British 17th Division were bombed and strafed by RAF Blenheims near Mokpalin, Burma. The previous day, British Commonwealth troops were attacked by RAF aircraft during a break-out attempt by a battalion surrounded by Japanese troops. Complaints from the army led to a formal investigation by Air Vice Marshall Donald Stevenson, who at first seemed in denial but later relented. (p.563-564).

30 March 1942
Blenheim Z7627 (14 Squadron). Shot down by RAF Hurricane and crashed into sea off El Alamein, Egypt. Three crewmen killed. (p.490).

27 April 1942
Blenheim T2430 (114 Squadron). Damaged by British anti-aircraft fire near Lowestoft. Crash-landed at Pulham, U.K. Crew injured. (p.391).

27 May 1942
Blenheim V5568 (1401 Meteorological Flight). Shot down by RAF Whirlwind and crashed into sea off U.K. Three crewmen killed. (p.396).

19 August 1942
Blenheim Z6089 (13 Squadron). Damaged by anti-aircraft fire from British warship off Dieppe, France. Crash-landed at Thruxton, U.K. Crew survived. (p.392).

19 August 1942
Blenheim V5626 (614 Squadron). Damaged by anti-aircraft fire from British warship off Dieppe, France. Crash-landed at Friston, U.K. Two crewmen killed and one wounded. (p.392).

29 December 1942
Blenheim BA784 (18 Squadron). Shot down by British anti-aircraft fire and crashed at Bangouch, North Africa. Two crewmen injured and one killed. (p.534).

19 March 1943
Blenheim BA655 (42 Squadron). Damaged by blast from own bombs during air strike and crashed on landing at Rajyeswarpur, India. Crew injured. (p.583).

[Six Nifty .50s]

A few others:


10 March 1941
Halifax L9489 (35 Squadron). Shot down by RAF night-fighter on return from six-plane raid to Le Havre, France.

15 June 1941
Two RAF Hurricanes (208 Squadron) were shot down by Allied anti-aircraft fire near their base at Aqir, Palestine. Both pilots were killed.

17 June 1941
Beaufort (217 Squadron) was shot down by RAF Hurricanes of 504 Squadron.

September 1942
Three Hurricanes were downed by friendly gunfire during the battle for Convoy PQ-18.

Dear Brian,

Here are the details on the C-46 accident report.

C-46D serial 4477654 4 March 1945, 2005 hours
IX TCC, 313 TC, 49th Troop Carrier

Killed in Action:
Pilot, James H. Green 0-807727 2n Lt. ,
Co-pilot, James A. Fenley 0-783942 2nd Lt.,
Engineer, Felix E. Banaszek, 36607479 Sgt. ,
Radio operator, Albert (NMI) Cory 32423259

Of his total flying time of 901:30 hours the pilot had 87 hours in the C-46.

Weather at time of accident Vis. 1-3 miles cloud 7/10 to 8/10 at 1,000 feet, 10/10 at 3,000 feet. Wind north at 8 to 13 mph.
Aircraft was cleared from station 484 to strip B-54 and return, contact glider tow to continent, to tow glider to B-54 and return to Station 484

Pilot became lost above clouds and was shot down by English Coastal defense guns n Humber area.

15 April 1945, Circmstances Involving Loss of C-46D aircraft No. 44-77654 US Army.

Aircraft C-46-D, AAF #44-77654, called letter "Persist 'U' Uncle" with James H. Green, 2nd Lt. Air Corps, 0-807727, as pilot; James A. Fenley, 2nd Lt. Air Corps, 0-783942, as co-pilot; Sgt. Felix E. Banaszek, 36607479, as crew chief; and S/Sgt albert (NMI) Cory, 32423259, as radio operator, departed Station 484 Folkingham, England at 1030 hours, 4 March 1945, towing a loaded CG-13A glider, with B-54, Achiet, France as its destination.

Unfavorable weather was encountered en route but the airplane and glider made a successful landing at B-54. The airplane and crew departed B-54, Achiet, France, at 1550 hours, 4 March 1945, without the glider in tow, for the purpose of returning to their proper station, Station 484, Folkingham, England. At 1925 hours, the Base Communciations Section at Folkingham received a message from the pilot reading "we are lost". The airplane circled Hawkinge, Lympne and Detling airfields southeast of London, England at approximately 10,000 feet in daylight. Shortly before being shot down at 2005 hours, 4 March 1945, by allied anti-aircraft gound fire one mile south of Orfordness, England, PERSISt 'U' (Uncle) called DARKIE and a Royal Observer Corps station picked it up, but ROC could not contact the airplane. Manston heard him call at 1754 hours and at 2000 hours he called Woodbridge for a QDM to Manston. Woodbridge could not contact him and at 2005 hours the aircraft was shot down.

Four objects were seen to fall from the airplane, two with open parchutes. At time of shooting, Radar fixed aircraft at 10,000 feet altitude but ROC tracked the plane at 8,000 feet altitude. Air/Sea Rescue went out at the time the airplane was shot down but the search met with no success as far as has been ascertained to date. At the time the aircraft is believed to have been shot down, an enemy air raid was taking place. The airplane was shot down off the eastern coast of England, one mile south of Orfordness, in the Humber Diver Area, a restricted area over the English Channel which was being crossed by enemy aircraft in bombing raids over England. The weather at the time was insturment weather as follows: visibility 1-3 miles; clouds 7 to 8/10 at 1,000 feet, 10/10 at 3,000 feet; wind north at 8 to 13 miles per hour.

William G. Oliver, Jr.
Major, Air Corp.
Station Accident Officer.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pilot could not ascertain his geographical position and evidently could not maintain radio contact with ground stations. He ultimately flew off course over a restricted area where he was fired upon by anti-aircraft guns.
Responsibliity: Pilot error, poor judgement in flying above overcast without navigator, without being capable of utilizing other navigational aids satisfactorily. Pilot erred also in not landing at one A/D which he circled and called in an attempt to orientate himself; presumbably not receiving this station, he flew on and eventually climbed on top of overcast where he became completely lost.

Yours very truly,
Norman Malayney

[Brian]

Hi Norman

Many thanks - I have sent a PM

Hi Six Nifty

Also many thanks - I have printed your list and will check against my records. I have the majority of those listed, but you never know ....!

Trust you're keeping well, gentlemen

Cheers
Brian

[Leendert]

Brian,

A post by me on rafcommands.com has so far been unanswered, but on 7 Oct 1944 Mosquito MM512 of RCAF 409 Squadron is said to have been shot down by Allied AA fire in the Ostend, Belgium area. (see e.g. Shores & Thomas, 2 TAF, Vol. 2).
Crew P/O Norman Joss and P/O Peter Lailey commemorated at Runnymede.

No further details to either confirm or deny above incident?

Regards,

Leendert

[Brian]

Hi Leendert

Apologies. I haven't been on RAF Commands for a few days.

Yes, I have this recorded but have no additional details as yet. I am still working on the first volume of 'Blue on Blue' !!

Cheers
Brian