Mosquito ops. on May 20th, 1943

[Jochen Prien]

Gentlemen,

according to the daily report of the Generalstab d. Luftwaffe of May 20th, 1943, there were daytime incursions of three pairs of Mosquitoes into the airspace over the Reich, one pair aiming at Munich, one at Potsdam and the third at Kiel / Flensburg. There were no bombings nor any other form of attack before the Mossies left the German airspace for good. Can anybody tell me what was the purpose of these intrusions ?

Any help will be appreciated.

Kind regards

Jochen Prien

[Jaap Woortman]

Jochen,

My guess would be photo-recce.
No.540 Sqn. RAF flew Mosquito PR IV and PR IXs during this period.

Jaap

[Hans Nauta]

Dear Jochen,

I've no clue either, but can add that Bomber Command didn't sent out Mosquito's to Germany that day. Perhaps Fighter Command was involved?

Best regards,
Hans Nauta

[Kutscha]

They also could have been weather/metrological flights.

What targets were bombed that night?

[Andy Fletcher]

Hi Jochen,

540 Sqn ORB 20May43

F/O A. Stewart and F/S M.W. Pike (Mosquito DZ352); Up 10:10; Down 16:20; Italian Adriatic ports (Fiume, Trieste, Pola, Venice etc). On homeward track photographed 2 A/Fs at Juvincourt

F/O R.A. Hosking and F/S H.A. Sowerbutts (Mosquito DZ438 ); Up 11:05; Down 16:35; Augsburg area: after photographing targets to the west of Augsburg encountered heavy flak on eastern side.

F/L R.A. Lenton and Sgt R.S. Haney (Mosquito DZ473); Up 10:57; Down 16:32; Swinemunde and Stettin: Photos taken of Ebsjerg, Odense ferries between Nyborg and Korsor, Agno A/F, Swinemunde and A/F, Stettin, Politz, Peenemunde A/F, S. tip of Rugen island, Sassnitz, Abbeltoft peninsular, Aarhus, Silkeborg and shipping.

2nd and 3rd look likely candidates but no 540 Sqn a/c to Potsdam area on this day.

Potsdam flight could have been a 1409 (Met) Flt Mosquito but there was no Bomber Command raid that night so I'd say it was doubtful.

Regards

Andy Fletcher

[Jochen Prien]

Gentlemen,

many thanks to all of you for your kind assistance which is gratefully appreciated.

I already thought that these Mosquitoes were on recconnaissance missions; what struck me was that according to the Luftwaffe Genst. report they are said to have flown in pairs. Now, if I got your message right, Andy, you are saying that the three a/c you mentioned were all flying on their own, which leaves us with a small - albeit inconsequential - mystery.

Anyway, for my part the question has been answered absolutely sufficiently.

Kind regards

Jochen Prien

[Andy Fletcher]

Jochen,

RAF PR missions were always flow be single a/c unlike TacR missions which where usually flown in pairs.

Regards

Andy Fletcher