Coastal Command v the flying bomb

[Brian]

Hi guys

I bit late in the day for me to ask - but is there any record of Coastal Command aircraft encountering/shooting down V-1 flying bombs in 1944?

Cheers
Brian

[RossGmann]

This site http://www.hawkertempest.se/berry.htm about a Joseph Berry and in part states

He was awarded a DFC in March 1944. In June of that year, promoted Flt.Lt., he was posted to the FIU and flying Mosquito's. FIU formed a special flight of Tempests to intercept the V1's which had begun falling on southeast England, this flight operating mainly by night. Over the next two months Joseph was to establish himself as the top-scorer against these robots in Tempest, shooting down 52 and one shared by early August.
On 23 July he set the record, claiming seven in one night. Four nights later he pursed one at low level over West Malling airfield, closing to 100 feet in order to ensure he destroyed it before it fell on the base. His own aircraft was damaged in the resultant explosion. To his obvious chagrin on this occasion it was decided that he had to share this success with the crew of a Mosquito who had opened fire from 1,000 yards, and in the opinion of FIU had 'missed hopelessly'.
On 16 August 1944 the Tempest flight moved to Manston to reform 501 Squadron, of which Berry became commanding officer. The unit continued to hunt V1's, and he personally accounted for seven more, receiving a Bar to his DFC during September. During the night of 27/28 September, with the V1 threat mainly negated by the Allied advance in France, he led two Tempests on a 'Ranger' sortie over Holland, strafing trains.

This site http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/UN/U...tte/37838.html gives a lengthy article about the flying bomb



Kind regards
Ross

[Brian]

Many thanks Ross

Joe Berry's involvement is well covered in my new book, due out end of June.

Thanks all the same
Cheers
Brian

[Kutscha]

Brian, did you know the RAF set up an AWACS in late 44/early 45 to intercept He111s with V-1s off the Dutch coast?


article in the April 1987 'FlyPast'

[Brian]

Thanks Kutscha

Yes, hopefully covered in my book, but thanks all the same.

Cheers
Brian