26 April 1944: Typhoon operation

[Nick Beale]

Y-Service information (TNA AIR22/500, Report No. 1697) for the day reports an apparent encounter between Typhoons and Bf 109s returning from a reconnaissance in which two of the Messerschmitts were damaged, and a pilot wounded, but were able to regain their base.

Shores and Thomas (2nd Tactical Air Force Vol. 1) say that a large "Ramrod" took place that day but mention no combat or claim. Does anyone know anything more?

[Stephen M. Fochuk]

Location of base these 109's were from or where the incident took place? There was also a Roadstead, #90, that took place and quite a bit of ASR activity too but initial search shows no encounter or claim of 109s.

Stephen

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by Stephen M. Fochuk

Location of base these 109's were from or where the incident took place? There was also a Roadstead, #90, that took place and quite a bit of ASR activity too but initial search shows no encounter or claim of 109s.

Stephen

The unit involved was thought to be 4.(F)/123 which usually operated over the central part of the Channel, between about Weymouth and Eastbourne (seen from England) or Cherbourg and Dieppe (seen from France). They generally flew from Laval or Bernay.

[Tom Semenza]

Bit of a mystery here, Nick. Also according to Foreman's The Fighter Command War Diaries there were no aerial claims made on this date by any Allied day fighter units operating out of England. Even the JuW 34 shot down by 132 Sqn. is listed as a ground claim!

Tom

[Chris Goss]

I have nothing for 4/123 on this date but maybe Matti has

[Nick Beale]

The report I was quoting (from AIR22/500) reads:

0925–0938
1021–1045
Unit: 4.(F)/123
Number of aircraft: 4
During the first sortie at 1924 [sic] an aircraft was plotted by D/F 27 miles SE of Beachy Head. On the second sortie (3 aircraft) combat seems to have taken place with Typhoons and Typhoon Bombers. 2 aircraft reported that they had received hits, one pilot being wounded, but were able to reach base, possibly Évreux or Bernay.

Obviously we don't know exactly what the listeners were hearing or how far they were trying to piece together indistinct fragments. On the other hand, if the Typhoons shot at two 109s, you think they'd have mentioned it in after-action reports.

[Stephen M. Fochuk]

What I am wondering about, Nick is if P-47s were not mistaken for Typhoons? Has anyone checked the USAAF reports for this date?

Stephen