Beaufighter crash 15/16 August 1943

[Peter Steer]

Can anyone help with some information on an engagement between a Beaufighter of 141 Squadron and (possibly) a HE 177 on the night of 15/16 August 1943. I believe there was a Lancaster raid on Milan that night. The RAF crew bailed out and were captured near Flamanville in Normandy. The Heinkel may also have been shot down and I would be grateful if anyone has any information. I have a fascinating account of the engagement and aftermath from the Beaufighter navigator whose name I do not know yet. The Beaufighter pilot's first name was Robbie, but that is all I know at present. Erich Brown helped me to find the pilot who shot down my great uncle in 1944 (Hauptmann Roekker) and I was most grateful for that exchange of emails. Unfortunately due to computer crash I do not have Erich's contact details any longer. Many thanks

Peter Steer, Salisbury UK

[laurent]

Hello Peter ,

Where did you get that story ? It appears that Beaufigfhter VI V8460 crashed in my area . Pilot was F/Sgt M. Robertson and navigator F/Sgt Douggie Gillam , the latter is alive. I'm in touch with relatives of both . They were captured and sent to Stalag IVb . I'm just trying to pinpoint the crash-site at Flamanville , the interest is the Serrate radar.
There's no clue of a He177 downed in that area that night , they first thought they were attacking a Wellington. I was asked by Douggie's relatives if I can find his shoes at the crash-site !

Laurent

[Peter Steer]

Hello Laurent,

The account I have is in writing from the navigator. I am very pleased to hear he is still alive. I have so many questions.

His account was forwarded to a friend of mine who works with a relative of the pilot, who I believe passed away in 1989.

My friend forwarded it to me knowing of my interest in such matters. If you are in touch with the families I am suprised you have not seen it. It is a 10 page written account. I would not want to forward it further myself without Flt Sgt Gillam's consent. The pilot was wounded in the arm by the attack but suffered a broken leg falling from a tree when landing by parachute.

According to the account the plane went down in a field near the village, wreckage scattered over a large area. Flt Sgt Gillam took most of his boots with him!

Any news on the Heinkel?

Regards

Peter Steer

[mhuxt]

You can find Erich Brown on the forum here:

http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/aviation/

[laurent]

Hi Peter ,

I have yet Gillam's account and copies of their POW cards . On Gillam's Germans report he was member of a Mosquito !
Just a small piece of alu was found at the crash-site , it is hard to pinpoint however .
Nothing about the He 177 on my side.

Laurent

[Theo Boiten]

Dear all,

Re. this topic; can anybody confirm that V8460 was lost on the night of 14-15 August 1943? I have found a German light Flak claim that may refer to this a/c, but this was dated 14-15 August 1943 and not 15-16 August 1943 as stated above.

Cheers and thanks, Theo

[Theo Boiten]

Question solved (thanks Geoffrey!) -the loss did occur on 15-16 August 1943.

Cheers, Theo

[Chris Goss]

From my book on the Do 217 for the attack on Portsmouth 15-16 Aug 43:

one Beaufighter crewed by Flt Sgt M M "Robbie" Roberston and Flt Sgt Douggie Gillam being shot down in uncertain in circumstances at Flamanville near Yvetot where both crew were captured.

[Theo Boiten]

Thanks Chris -I have found a light Flak claim for the shooting down of most probably this aircraft: the III. 1./lei. Flak Abt. 957 (Etr.) claimed a 'Mosquito' shot down at a height of 150 metres, their victim crashing 11 km west of Motteville at 00.01 hrs. This makes a perfect match to the location/time of crash of V8460, but I must add that the claim was filed by the OKL/RLM for the 14th of August 1943. I believe this is a clerical error; no Allied aircraft crashed in this vicinity/time on the 14th of August 1943.

Cheers, Theo

[Chris Goss]

It was an interesting night and no He 177s were lost. It was III./KG 2's first operation after retraining and their take offs were delayed for a number of intruders. They still suffered over Portsmouth