Vaagso raid December 1941

[BrianC]

Hi guys

I'm endeavouring to produce a brief account of RAF operations during Operation Archery - the raid on Vaagso, 27 December 1941.

I believe that seven Blenheims, two Hampdens and two Beaufighters failed to return. Some were shot down by Bf109s and Bf110s, some by AA fire. Can anyone provide details of said losses, please? And identities of German pilots involved? Also, any Luftwaffe losses - at least one was He111 claimed.

Thanks in advance.
Stay safe
Brian

[SteveR]

Some info on these threads from rafcommands.com:

http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/sho...he-Vaagso-Raid

http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/sho...ry-404-Sq-RCAF

And one here on ToCH:

http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/archiv...hp?t-5094.html

I'll check Chorley, Foreman, etc. in a little while when I have some more time.

[Chris Goss]

I have the CC claims which were by 404 Sqn (Bf 109 probable), 236 Sqn (He 111 probable and another damaged) and 248 Sqn (He 111 and Bf 109 probable and damaged). 254 Sqn reported another combat with a Bf 109 during which aircraft A was damaged while 235 Sqn had an inconclusive combat with a Bf 109 and Ju 88.Ross McNeill's Coastal Command Losses list a Beaufighter of 235 Sqn, another from 236 Sqn and Blenheim of 254 Sqn lost. Bill Chorley's Bomber Command Losses list 2 Hampdens fropm 50 Sqn, 4 Blenheims from110 Sqn and 2 from 114 Sqn lost. Crew details in the books (which I am sure you have) or F540s. Suggest you ask the Luftwaffe questions on the Luftwaffe Board

[MW Giles]

Take my spellings with a pinch of salt. This is a quick list

110 Sqn 6 Blenheims to Oberstad-Flekke Fjord - lost four attacking shipping, three of which fell to flak = V6429, V6448, Z7317 and Z7442

114 Sqn 13 Blenheims, some went to Herdla airfield where two collided and were lost = V6227 and Z7500

50 Sqn 10 Hampdens to lay smoke screen 7 and to attack gun positions 3
Two lost to flak = AE369 and AE428

404 Sqn 2 Blenheims Claimed Me109 Probable and Me109 Damaged

235 Sqn lost Beaufighter T4765
236 Sqn Beaufighters Claimed He111 Probable and lost T4825
248 Sqn Beaufighters Claimed He111 Destroyed. I have a list of another He111 destroyed by the sqn, but it is listed as SW of Scillies, which is odd and needs looking into. One or other is correct but suspect location not right for both

3/JG77 had three Me109s damaged by bombing on Herdla
Bf109 T-2 7792 O Herdla Bombing Norway 45%
Bf109 E-7 5225 G Herdla Bombing Norway 20%
Bf109 E-7 2009 G Herdla Bombing Norway 40%

They claimed

11:05 3/JG77 Ofhr E. Habermann Blenheim - W of Herdla
11:07 3/JG77 Fw W. Kalweit Blenheim - W of Herdla
13:28 3/JG77 Lt G. Senoner Blenheim - 150km N of Herdla
13:30 Stab I/JG77 Oblt H-D Hartwein Blenheim - 120km SW Stavanger
16:20 3/JG77 Blenheim - no further details

This should get you started but is not definitively everyone

Regards

Martin

[BrianC]

Many thanks indeed,guys

A wealth of information from which I will be able to write my piece.

I did note that a Ju88 of 1.(F)/120 hit by another Luftwaffe AC (25%). What's the story?

B

[richdlc]

see our forthcoming book on the Bf 109 T for a detailed account of the raid...

[Stephen M. Fochuk]

No.404 Squadron RCAF tangled possibly with four, definitely two, with one claimed as a probable, a second as a possible.

Stephen

[AUS_RAAF]

Not really an answer to the specific query but some additional detail. The 236 Squadron loss of Beaufighter T4825 was piloted by an Australian in the RAF Ronald Arthur Baseby (RAFVR.910288/89337) with gunner Sgt SD Gummery. I believe the crew were one of three aircraft of Sumburgh detachment detailed on the third sortie supporting naval forces. His aircraft was seen to fall away after engaging an He 111. Not sure if Baseby was credited with the unit’s probable? Baseby was born in South Australia, went to the UK in 1936 and joined 236 Sqn in Sept 41. No other service details.

regards, Drew

[BrianC]

Hi guys - Steve, Chris, Martin, Stephen, Drew

Many thanks for your contributions, much appreciated. I similarly posted my enquiries on the Luftwaffe Forum. Please see my response and gratitude, which applies here also.

Stay safe
Brian