Roc or Skua?

[BrianC]

Hi guys

On 12 August 1940, Ltn Gottfried Haferkorn of 2./JG26 claimed what he identified as an MS406, which it wasn't. It has been suggested that the aircraft was either a Roc flown by Sub-Lt Blake from Lee-on-Solent or a Skua flown by Plt Off Nobby Clarke from 2 AACU Gosport.

Nobby Clarke has written about his encounter, but the actual date was not mentioned. Has anyone seen his logbook entry?

Any suggestions appreciated.

Cheers
Brian

[Chris Goss]

In my opinion, 2./JG 26 would not have been operating over the Solent or thereabouts

[BrianC]

Hi Chris

Didn't aircraft from 2 AACU and possibly FAA units also operate from Manston or Detling etc on occasion for ASR duties during this period? Perhaps this was such an occasion?

Cheers
Brian

[Chris Goss]

The Other Few stated for this date that Blake "was on a routine flight from RNAS Lee on Solent...". No location given. Uffz (not Lt) Gottfried Haeferkorn made his claim at 1225hrs in the Channel Narrows so why would Blake on a routine flight be in such a dangerous place? Then Caldwell in The JG 26 War Diaries states that Sqn Ldr D H Clarke was attacked by a lone Bf 109 at 3,000ft but managed to evade and returned to Gosport. For me the locations are crucial to match this positively as two books contradict and in any case why would Clarke be operating off Kent when there was enough trade for him off Portsmouth on this date?

[Tim Bishop]

Hello All,

Not sure if this helps, but Pilot Officer Clarke, according to the Daily Routine Orders, was one of two crews detailed with reconnaissance aircraft duty on the 12th August. Clarke was crewed with Sgt Mercer in a Roc aircraft (serial not noted). The 540 notes that two Roc aircraft carried out H.D.B exercise with the AA School in the morning but the exercise was cut short due to an air raid with the A.L.T. machine returning to Lee-on-Solent.

Regards,

Tim

[Chris Goss]

So sounds like Clarke was local to the Solent and high tailed it home when KG 51 attacked Portsmouth. JG 26 was not an escort to this attack

[BrianC]

Hi Tim

Thanks for the contribution. As Chris confirms, its is unlikely that Nobby was involved in the combat on 12 August.

From the records you have available, are you able to advise the date of his adventure with the Bf109, please?

Many thanks
Brian

[Peter Cook]

Hi Brian,

I have just seen your post. in Strike from the Sky: The Story of the Battle of Britain, 1989, pp. 90-3, author Alexander McKee gives a lengthy description of Clarke's account of the Bf 109 encounter, and dates it to 12 August, if this helps.

Peter

[Chris Goss]

Still no mention in German records of JG 2, JG 27 or JG 53 bumping into anything other than Spitfires or Hurricanes