Spitfire claims for September 22nd, 1942.

[Peter T]

In the evening of September 22nd, 1942 some Ju 88 of I./KG 6 were over the south coast of the UK. One of the crews gets involved in a fight with 2 Spitfires. The Ju 88 is hit in its cockpit and engine but can return to Creil. Are there any Spitfire claims for a damaged Ju 88 that evening?

Peter

[Faenor]

Hi Peter T.,

309th FS 31th FG scrables 2 Spitfires to intercept enemy planes and make 1 claim.

Info from Tony Wood claim list:

RAF 11 Group: Interception-Patrol
US VIII FC 309th Sqn. 2 Spitfire Vb 17.15-18.35 Interception 0 - 0 - 1 Ju 88 No casualty S. Selsey Bill

Claim 22.09.42 Pilot 31st FG 309th Sqn. 0 - 0 - 1 Ju 88 18.00 ca: S. Selsey Bill


Check the Squadron Signal publication 6180 and page 12 - there is info about claim by Maj. Thyng with date 28.9.1942 - but I think, the date is wrong.
There are claims by this pilot:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrison_Thyng
http://www.wwiiaircraftperformance.org/31st/thyng.html

....but this claim (or with date 28.9.1942) is missing, but check this link:
http://www.starduststudios.com/harrison-thyng.html

...there is info about 2 claims, during operation from England before the 31th FG move to MTO:
Major Thyng claimed two enemy aircraft damaged and a probable while flying out of England.

Maybe somebody share with you more info.

Faenor

[Faenor]

.....and last info - check this link about Spitfire Mk. V EP179:

http://www.americanairmuseum.com/aircraft/19842

And check this info, which maybe confirm this theory:
E/A Probable France 22 September 1942

Ju88 Probable 22-9-42, pilot Maj Harrison R Thyng.

Sorry for splitting info, my interest in USAF Spitfire in England during year 1942 was many year ago....

Faenor

[Peter T]

Thanks a lot !

Stars & Bars, gives one probable Ju 88 for Maj. Thyng on the 22nd.

Peter

[Col Bruggy]

Hello.

The pilot of the I./KG 6 Ju 88 (3E+NL), was Fw Josef Delhey. His aircraft was attacked by two Spitfires and despite hits on the cabin and airscrews he (and his crew) were able to return safely to Creil at 19:50 hrs.

Col.

[Peter T]

Yes that is the incident I was researching. I have him as Fw. Helmut Delhey.

Thanks anyway.

Peter

[Col Bruggy]

Hello,

You could well be right!

Jan Horn in his, Euber allen Fronten Chronik des Kampfgeschwaders 6 1941 bis 1945 (2018), alternates between Helmut and Josef. In the narrative and the index he uses Helmut, and in his roll of members of the unit (p.474), - Fw. FF - Delhey - gef am 01.02.1945 - Josef - 1,/KG 6. he uses Josef. In the photographic section at the rear of the book (p.530, photo Delhey), is the following: Angehoerige der 1./KG 6 - Fw Josef Delhey - Flugzuegfuehrer.

The Kracker Database also uses "Josef" - http://aircrewremembered.com/KrackerDatabase/?q=Delhey

Col.

[Peter T]

Volksbund also has him as Josef. So that must be correct.

Peter

[Chris Goss]

Chronik KG 6 says take off from Creil 1800 hrs, landing 1900 hrs 3E+NL 3./KG 6 Fw Helmut Delhey. Uffz Josef Delhey was awarded Pokal 13 Jul 42

[Peter T]

I think Josef and Helmut are the same person. I have a copy of the logbook of Heinrich Schlichting, observer in the Delhey-crew. In July pilot Delhey was Uffz. The flight on 22 September was his first as Fw. Log gives landing at 19.50hrs. The Karl Geyr chronicle also uses Helmut Delhey.