19/04/41, 8/JG 77 vs blenheims ?

[focusfocus]

Hello all

I have several questions about the fighting in Greece in 1941:

from a source, 5 blenheims were shot down ( over the see) in Greece the 19/04/41 by the 8/JG 77 (Fw Hubert Ebeling 3:vict.1.2.3.;Fw Reinhold Schmetzer 2:vict.3.4.).
I find nothing about these so-called blenheims shot down ( Greece or R.A.F ).
"Air war for yugoslavia,Greece....." by Shores is of no utility ( too many errors,confusion,omission ).

all information is welcome about these blenheims

regards

[Orwell1984]

Can I ask what your source for these losses is?

None of the following books list losses of Blenheims as described on this date:
Royal Air Force Bomber Command Losses in the Middle East and Mediterranean V 1 1939-42 Gunby/Temple
Bristol Blenheim A Complete History 2nd ed Graham Warner
Blenheims Over Greece and Crete 1940-1941 Brian Cull

The Warner and Cull books also look at Yugoslav and Greek losses which have no losses as described reported on the date quoted.

Perhaps another forum member will have some more info?

[focusfocus]

History of JG 77 and "Die Jagdfliegerverbande de Deutschen Luftwaffe" by Jochen Prien..... teil 5

but I do'nt find any corresponding losses! that is the question!

michel

regards

[Blenheim]

These claims by JG 77 on 19/04/41 for Blenheims cannot be verified because only three Blenheims were lost on that day, none of them in the area mentioned.
T2348 of 11 Squadron was lost about 400 miles to the north; R3806 was lost in England; and V5583 was lost in the Sudan.
This does not mean that the Luftwaffe pilots didn't shoot down something (I cannot imagine what) but they didn't shoot down any Blenheims.

[focusfocus]

Thanks "guys"

In absence of new information,my opinion is that these "victories" are very suspicious.
Even if the material archives are incomplete(this would not be the first time):when even 5 Blenheims=15 men crew and no killed,wounded,disappeared,or prisoners in list of casualties? ouhais!! maybe!

michel

regards

[Brian]

Hi Michel

I'm not sure where your information comes from, but I can assure you that it is incorrect. Somehow, you have to be confusing this with the events of 13 April 1941, when 211 Squadron lost six Blenheims to 6./JG27 (see my book 'Blenheims over Greece & Crete')


Cheers
Brian