Luftwaffe nightfighter loss, April 17th 1943

[wwrsimon]

Hello everyone

On the night of April 17th 1943, Lancaster W4938 EM-A of 207 Squadron encountered an 'Me.110' while returning from Pilzen.

The Combat Report is as follows:

On the night of 16/17th April, 1943 at 03.05 hours, Lancaster “A” of No. 207 Squadron was returning from PILSEN at a height of 12,000’ with an airspeed of 220 mp.h. on a course of 276º M, when an Me.110 was encountered at approximately 28 miles South West of WEISBADEN [sic].
The moon was about half full on the port bow, there was no cloud and the visibility was excellent.
There was no searchlight activity and no visible ground co-operation. There were no unusual phenomena.
As the enemy aircraft did not open fire its armament was not observed.
The Me.110 was first seen at about 900 yards range astern and 500’ below. The enemy aircraft moved over to the starboard and the range closed to 700 yards. The Lancaster made a turn to starboard and the rear gunner fired a long burst as the Me.110 moved over to port and the mid upper and rear gunners fired five or six bursts from a range of 200 yards. The Me.110 appeared to stall and then dived vertically to the ground where it was seen to burst into flames. The enemy aircraft was followed visually all the way down and the Flight Engineer states that he saw it break up just before it hit the ground. The enemy aircraft is claimed as definitely destroyed on the above evidence.

Can anyone possibly confirm a Luftwaffe loss which could tie in with this?

Many thanks

Simon

[Chris Goss]

April 27 or April 16-17 1943?

[MW Giles]

The Pilsen raid was 16/17 April

MG

[wwrsimon]

Yes, April 16/17 1943 - apologies! My fingers sometimes work faster than my brain these days...

Dates in title and text duly edited.

Simon

[Chris Goss]

Theo Boiten might be able to help better but a quick check shows Bf 110s near Ahlhorn, Chalons sur Marne, St Dizier and Hochspeyer all due to combat. The closest to Wiesbaden is Hochspeyer but from one to the other as the crow flies is around 90km

[wwrsimon]

Thanks Chris

If the Lancaster was, as the Combat Report records, 'approximately 28 miles' (45 km) SW of Wiesbaden that halves the distance to Hockspeyer, so that one look a possibility.

Regards

Simon

[Chris Goss]

Bf 110 F-4 Wk Nr 4755 of 10./NJG 4 appears to have been shot down by a Halifax of 158 Sqn according to Theo Boiten

[wwrsimon]

Many thanks again Chris.

I see from the 158 Sqn ORB records that they were also on Ops to Pilsen that night.

Of course the aircraft W4938 claimed may not have been an 'Me.110'...just to confuse matters!

Regards

Simon

[Chris Goss]

No other types lost that night

[wwrsimon]

Thank you for confirming that Chris.

Regards

Simon

EDIT - I see the Bf-110F 4755 loss has been discussed on here before:

http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=26330