RAF attacks on June 10th, 1943

[Jochen Prien]

Gentlemen,

I'm looking for information on the aerial activities of RAF medium bombers over Belgium on the evening of June 10th, 1943. I have conflicting information as to the actual number of attacks and their respective targets.

The daily report from the Generalstab der Luftwaffe mentiones one stronger formation of Venturas attacking some unnamed target close to Ghent, losing one Ventura to fighter attacks.

Other sources say that the Ventura formation was to attack Zeebrugge, but there is no trace of such an attack actually taking place in the naval documents, especially the Kriegstagebuch der SKL or war diary of the Navy High Command.

Then there are reports of a B-25 attack on a power station near Gent, this one being escorted by 61 Spitfires and losing one B-25 and 2 spitfires to fighters while the escort filed 5-1-5 claims. This latter fight corresponds with reports from II./JG 1.

So, the question is: How many formations were involved, which one came under attack from German fighters and what were the actual loss figures ? Were there any Venturas aroundat all or was it all about the same B-25 incursion ?

I would be grateful for any advice.

Regards

Jochen Prien

[SMF144]

Jochen,

Here is what I have concerning this date; which has come from primary period information.

I hope it helps?

Stephen

10 June 1943
GENERAL SUMMARY: The main offensive operation undertaken by Command during the period was the despatch of 6 MITCHELL II bombers of No.2 Group (98 Squadron), escorted and supported by 11 squadrons of No.11 GROUP SPITFIRES, to attack the power station at LANGERBRUGGE near GHENT. Owing to technical failure in the leading bomber aircraft when over the target area, no bombs were dropped and the attack was rendered abortive. According to R.D.F., there was a hostile reaction of about 30 enemy aircraft from the LILLE/ANTWERP area*. As a result of combats, 4 Fw190s were destroyed, 2 probably destroyed and 7 damaged. Two SPITFIRES of 167 Squadron and their pilots and 1 MITCHELL II bomber and its crew of four are missing; another MITCHELL II was destroyed when it crash-landed at MANSTON, the crew being safe. In conjunction with this operation THUNDERBOLTS of the 8th U.S.A.A.F. carried out sweeps over HOLLAND and BELGIUM. No R.C.A.F. units took part in this operation. Other smaller scale offensive operations resulted in 3 armed trawlers being attacked and damaged off the DUTCH Coast by 9 SPITFIRES V (L.R.) of 118 Squadron. SPITFIRES V (L.R.) of 416 (R.C.A.F.) Squadron carried out an uneventful anti-shipping patrol off the DUTCH Coast. Enemy activity was on a small scale and mainly confirmed to defensive patrols put up in opposition to our offensive operations.
SUMMARY OF R.C.A.F. UNIT OPERATIONS
No.12 GROUP: Eight SPITFIRES V (L.R.) of 416 (R.C.A.F.) Squadron left COLTISHALL at 2012 hours to attack enemy shipping between IJMUIDEN and the HAGUE. Save for four small ships seen coming out of the breakwater at the mouth of the HAGUE, where light flak was experienced, the patrol was completed without incident. Enemy activity was confined to defensive patrols. No enemy aircraft operated over this country.

[Jochen Prien]

Dear Stephen,

thank you very much for your prompt and kind reply. It looks as though there were no Venturas around that evening and that it was all about the one incursion flown by six heavily escorted B-25.

Kind regards


Jochen Prien

[Franek Grabowski]

Tony Wood on his site gives similar info, adding that red and yellow nosed enemy aircraft were seen. I may add, that 4-1-1 Fw 190s were credited to 302 Sqn, including 1-0-0 for Mike Gładych, later a well known pilot of 61st FS 56th FG.

[Wim de Meester]

Mailed you my findings about this very day directly

mfg

[Jochen Prien]

Dear Wim, dear Rob, dear Franek,

many thanks for your kind assistance on and off board. The picture is now pretty clear.

Kind regards

Jochen Prien