Wellington downed by flak ship 40 km SW of Texel, 6/7 May 1941

[Mieszko]

Hello everyone,

On May 6th, 1941 (22:01 hrs), Wellington R1443 departed RAF Syerston for a mission over France. It never returned, and was believed shot down by German fighters. However it has been suggested that R1443 may have been shot down by flak ships "40 km SW of Texel". Three of the crew washed up on the shores of the English Channel. One in Holland (after 5 weeks), one in Eastbourne (after 4 months), and one in England (location and date unknown).

40km SW of Texel would be way off course for this Wellington, however possible due do battle damage, error in navigation, etc, etc. The key would seem to be the time of the reported claim of the flak ship.

Could someone point me in the right dirrection as to where to look for aircraft claims by flak ships? Perhaps someone may have copies of aircraft claims for flak ships for the night of 6/7 May 1941?

Thank you,
Mieszko

[James A Pratt III]

1941 Part 2 by John Foreman which I am told is not the most accurate source has the following:
Wellington R1443 of 304 Sqn was shot down by flak during a raid on Le Harve 6/7 may 41

6 may 41 21 and 110 Sqns each sent 6 Blenheims to attack shipping in the North sea both units attacked ships. 21 Sqn lost Z5875 Sgt Fitzgerald and crew while 110 Sqn lost R3600 F/L Steele and crew. One was shot down by Ltn Knoch of E/ ZG 76 the other was downed by flak. It could be the flak may have been from a ship. The planes did attack shipping. German convoys were usually escorted by converted trawlers VP or patrol craft or M minesweeper

[Chris Goss]

All I can add is a claim 6 May 41 40 km west of Texel for an enemy aircraft by flak from a ship. 59 Sqn lost one aircraft TO 2218 hrs. 21 Sqn lost one ac TO 0600 hrs and 110 Sqn lost one ac 1115 hrs

[Theo Boiten]

Hi Chris,

Thanks for the interesting info re. a Flak claim off Texel -could you please expand on the source and claims (incl. time of Abschuss) details?

Cheers, Theo

[Chris Goss]

Theo: it is from a document I found many years ago in the AHB and refers to flak and fighter kills over Holland 13 Jan 41-22 Oct 43. No other details apart from what I have quoted for this claim

[Mieszko]

Chris, Theo, and James,

Thank you for your replies. I have been talking with the grandson of one of the pilots from this Wellington. He told me that the third crewmen was found “off shore, near Dover”. Most likely in June, 1941.

Mieszko

[noggin]

6/7 May 1941 Wellington R1443 304 Sqn. Take off from RAF Syerston to bomb Le Havre. Reported hit by Flak from ships off the coast near Texel on return. Why it was off Texel if coming from Le Havre ? Crashed into the North Sea with the loss of all crew. Of 16 aircraft on raid R1443 the only loss. This was 304 Squadron’s first operational loss. P/O Feliks Sobieralski’s body was washed ashore on September 14th 1941 and was buried in the Noordwijk General Cemetery in the Netherlands. Sgt Zolnowski washed ashore on the UK coast September 1941 nr Hastings and is buried at Newark Cemetery. Sgt Hampel also washed ashore on the UK coast nr Eastbourne 6th June 1941 and is buried at Eastbourne. All others MIA and commemorated on the Polish War Memorial Northolt England.
P/O Feliks Sobieralski - Torun Poland
P/O Antoni Sym - Lwow Poland
Sgt Wladyslaw Zolnowski 2xKW ML - Born 1906 Wloclawek Poland, buried at Newark Cemetery
Sgt Leon Hampel-Wieruszow Poland
Sgt Stanislaw Bialek - Brody Poland
P/O Stanislaw Duchnicki - Kety Poland.