Searching some times night 14-15 August 1940

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Hello, during this night, 36 Whitley of RAF flew a nine-hour mission to Milan and Turin in Northern Italy to raid the Caproni and Fiat aircraft factories.

During the raid, the Whitley P4965 of 10 Sqn was badly damaged by an Italian fighter and crashed on the British coast while attempting to land on a beach.

They had been intercepted by a Fiat CR 42 flown by Capitano Grafter of 365a Sqa, who exhausted his ammunition and finally rammed the bomber and successfully bailed out. He was awarded the first night victory of the Italain Air Force in WWII.

But I have no idea of the time of this action, so I would like to know at least some of the following:

_ time of take-off of the RAF planes
_ time of the bombing of Turin
_ time of the victory claim by Grafter
_ time of the return of the RAF planes
_ time of the crash of P4965

Thanks in advance

Laurent

[Brian]

Hi Laurent

I have a few details re P4965 flown by Plt Off Parsons

Take-off time was 1327 - crew reported a successful attack but eventually ditched off Hythe-Dymchurch - Parsons only survivor?

Others returned to base at various times, some between 0930 and 1045.

If you wish (and have time to wait) I will check to see if there is a combat report for this action, which should give more detail.

Cheers
Brian

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Hello, Brian

Thanks for the reply, but I wonder if your take-off time of 1327 is a typo for 2327... Taking off at 1327 will mean that the bomber will cross the Channel in full daylight, not something to do in August 1940...

By the way, the return time of 0930-1045 means too that on the way back some crews probably crossed the Channel after dawn. Maybe the Germans saw some of them at the time ?

[Peter Cornwell]

Laurent,

Please note that Raid No.498 was on the night of 13/14 August, 1940, not 14/15.
No.4 Group sent 20 Whitleys to attack the Fiat Works at Turin and another 17 Whitleys against the Caproni Works at Taliedo, Milan. The aircraft were drawn from Nos.10, 51, 58, and 102 Squadrons. One returned early due to undercarriage trouble and another landed in the sea off Lympne on return. The attacks took place between 0005 – 0125 hours (BST) when 57 x 500 lb, 129 x 250 lb bombs, and 1,680 x 4 lb incendiaries were dropped from heights between 15,000 and 1,000 feet.
(AIR 14/2666)

The No.10 Squadron Whitley P4965 ZA*H was badly damaged by fighter attack over Turin that disabled one engine and badly damaged the starboard aileron. It struggled back but while attempting a forced-landing on a beach near Dymchurch Redoubt the aileron detached and the aircraft crashed in the sea 0530 hours. Both pilots, P/O E.I. ‘Pip’ Parsons DFC and Sgt A.N. Campion, died and their bodies were later washed ashore near Boulogne. The rest of the crew were rescued unhurt; Sgt Chamberlain and Sgt Sharpe both picked up by fishermen and landed at Hythe, Sgt Marshall being rescued by a Miss Peggy Prince in her canoe for which action she was later awarded the BEM.
(Dungeness RNLI Records, Chorley: Bomber Command Losses & Donnelly: The Other Few)