Major Lent injured in combat

[Stephen Smith]

Looking for details on Maj Helmet Lent being injured in an encounter on October 3rd 1943 over Kassel. Trying to confirm if the crew of No.623 Squadron Short Stirling Mk.III EH994 IC-P flown by P/O T Muir RCAF and crew were the cause of his injuries over Harlehausen at approx 22.27hrs.

Any detail very welcome. !!

Regards

Steve

[Leo Etgen]

Hello Steve

All that I can add is that Lent was flying Bf 110 G-4 (W.Nr. 4883) which was 20% damaged on that occasion. Boiten lists that the aircraft he shot down that night was EH994 so it would appear the crew of that aircraft was responsible for his wounding. Hopefully some else can make additional comments.

Horrido!

Leo

[thenelm]

Bf 110G-4, 4883, LENT, Major Helmut, 110, Stab, NJG 3, , D5+AA, , , 03-Oct-43, Ges.Kom. WIA in the left hand due to enemy fire from claimed Stirling., F RK, EL, S, Br., Bf RK., Lw.Bfh.Mitte/Nachtjagd, FB; Gen.Qu.6.Abt. (mfm #11)-Vol.22; Balss, Deutsche Nachtjagd, II, p.231, Hinchliffe, The Lent Papers, p.110-11, Kassel, 20%, F, Bf Uffz. Walter KUBISCH, 22.27,

[ian hunt]

Hi Steve

Summarising from Peter Hinchliffe's "The Lent Papers" (a very good book):

Attacked a Stirling from the force that bombed Kassel.
Lent's a/c was D5+AA.
He received a bullet wound through the left index finger and first joint of the thumb, with splinter wounds to the first joint of the thumb and the second and third joints of the index finger. The text indicates that he also suffered superficial injuries to his face.
Despite this he pressed on and destroyed the Stirling, then returned to Stade where he landed safely.
He did not fly again until 9th November.

In the book's Appendix, the time is given as 22.27 but the Stirling itself is not identified. This was Lent's 80th kill, his 72nd night-time one.

Any tie-in with NJWD? (I haven't looked to check).

Happy New Year!

Ian

[Stephen Smith]

Ian,

Thank you very much.

Regards

Steve