500 Sqn Anson N5355, September 24th 1940

[wwrsimon]

Hello everyone

On September 24th 1940 at 10.55 hours, Anson N5355 of 500 Sqn left Detling, via Hawkinge, on an E Boat strike across the channel. The Squadron ORB states that it came across four E-boats at position CPWT 0231, but before it could attack them it was itself attacked by 2 Henschel HS-126s at 11.30. The Anson returned fire, and the Henschels broke away. At 11.32 it was again attacked, this time by three Me-110s. The Anson took avoiding action and was able to return to base, landing at 11.57.

The same action is described in the book 'Kent's Own' by Robin J Brooks, in which the Navigator of N5355 describes the Anson spotting a single HS-126. He then describes the Henschel as being a decoy, as they were bounced by three Bf-109s which attacked them at sea level and followed them until they reached the Kent coast.

Obviously the two accounts differ. Is there any record of a Luftwaffe combat involving an attack on a single Anson at around this time on the 24th of September 1940 which may shed some further light on the incident?

Many thanks,

Simon