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  #1  
Old 8th November 2019, 18:22
hanshauprich hanshauprich is offline
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Wellington 157 Sqdn. vs U-459 24.07.1944

Hello!
U-459 (Milchkuh) was hit that day by one Wellington during the attack with
Anti Submarine Bombs (aircraft dove tight at the boat) and crased into the Sea.

Another Wellington from 157 Sqdn. (?) sunk the boat.

I'm search for the names from the crew and Code, Serial-No. from the crashed
Wellington.

Thank you for support
h.
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  #2  
Old 8th November 2019, 19:15
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Re: Wellington 157 Sqdn. vs U-459 24.07.1944

Operations Record Book online here: https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...ils/r/D8390033
and here:
https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...ils/r/D8390032

If you view it full-screen, you can usually read through the watermarks — or you can download copies for £3.50 for each document.
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Old 8th November 2019, 19:20
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Re: Wellington 157 Sqdn. vs U-459 24.07.1944

157 Sqn flew Mosquitoes?
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Old 8th November 2019, 19:34
Orwell1984 Orwell1984 is offline
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Re: Wellington 157 Sqdn. vs U-459 24.07.1944

There seems to be some mixed up information here.

https://uboat.net/boats/u459.htm

Quote:
The boat was scuttled on July 24 1943 after being attacked by two British Wellington aircraft (Sqdn. 172/Q & 547/V) north-west of Corunna, Spain, in position 45.53N, 10.38W. 18 dead and 41 survivors.
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Old 9th November 2019, 04:01
bearoutwest bearoutwest is offline
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Re: Wellington 157 Sqdn. vs U-459 24.07.1944

Alex Smart has compiled a list of Coastal Command losses for July 1944 over on RAF Commands Forum, linked below:
http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/sho...mand-July-1944

I'm not sure how comprehensive the list is, but 172 Sqn lost a number of Wellingtons while 547 Sqn did not, in July 44. (According to the list, but again, I'm uncertain if it covers all Coastal Comm losses; or just the ones Alex is questioning.) Alex is also here in this forum, so perhaps can shed more light in due course.

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Old 9th November 2019, 04:21
Orwell1984 Orwell1984 is offline
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Re: Wellington 157 Sqdn. vs U-459 24.07.1944

Further information:
https://uboat.net/history/aircraft_losses.htm
Quote:
Aircraft attack, aircraft shot down:
British Wellington (172 Sqn RAF/Q, pilot: F/O W.H.T. Jennings) The sinking of U-459

approx. 17.15 hrs, NW of Corunna, Spain: despite taking the boat by surprise, the Wellington was hit by heavy and accurate AA fire on the initial attack run, lost control, and crashed into the boat on the starboard side. Only the tail gunner (Sgt A.A. Turner) survived, when his turret separated on impact and he found himself in the water close to an inflated dinghy. The remaining five aircrew were killed. U-459 lost several gunners and most of the AA guns in the crash, and the crew found three unexploded depth charges on deck when clearing the wreckage. They decided to roll them into the sea at high speed, but at least one exploded, close enough to disable the steering gear and cause severe damage to the stern compartments.
At approx. 17.30 hrs, a second Wellington (547 Sqn RAF/V, pilot F/O J. Whyte) strafed the boat and dropped seven depth charges, causing further damage. The commander then ordered the crew to abandon ship and scuttled the boat - apparently choosing to go down with his ship. 41 Germans and the sole British survivor were picked up by ORP Orkan some 8 hours later.

Details on pilot and rest of crew lost in Wellington MP514 172 Squadron to fire from U-459, July 24, 1943



http://www.rafcommands.com/database/...php?qnum=84892

Last edited by Orwell1984; 9th November 2019 at 05:06. Reason: Serial number transcription error on my part
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Old 9th November 2019, 04:42
Col Bruggy Col Bruggy is offline
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Re: Wellington 157 Sqdn. vs U-459 24.07.1944

Hello,

The No.172 Sqn Wellington XII shot down by U-459 on 24 July 1943, was MP514:Q., not Wellington WP514 (never existed).

Col.
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Old 9th November 2019, 05:07
Orwell1984 Orwell1984 is offline
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Re: Wellington 157 Sqdn. vs U-459 24.07.1944

Quote:
Originally Posted by Col Bruggy View Post
Hello,

The No.172 Sqn Wellington XII shot down by U-459 on 24 July 1943, was MP514:Q., not Wellington WP514 (never existed).

Col.
Thanks for catching that. Sloppy transcription on my part.
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Old 9th November 2019, 06:13
Col Bruggy Col Bruggy is offline
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Re: Wellington 157 Sqdn. vs U-459 24.07.1944

Orwell1984,

Nothing really, just a correction!

Missing from Jagan's casualty list for No.172 Wellington XII MP514 on 24 July, 1943, is 957961 Sgt (W.Op./Air Gnr.) Arthur Alexander 'Ack-Ack' TURNER RAFVR, who was the sole survivor picked up along with the U-boat survivors, by the Polish destroyer "Orkan".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur...er,_born_1921)) No mention here of his tustle with U-459! better to look here: https://www.theguardian.com/football...urner-obituary

Col.

Last edited by Col Bruggy; 9th November 2019 at 06:59.
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Old 11th November 2019, 14:32
andy bird andy bird is offline
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Re: Wellington 157 Sqdn. vs U-459 24.07.1944

Hector Bolitho interviewed the survivor, Turner at Northwood Coastal's HQ.

Bolitho's mentions Turner in his papers that were part of his estate when he died in Brighton in 1974. Managed to track these and others down between 2010 - 2014 including works that appear in Task for Coastal Command.

Unfortunately as Coastal is seen as a niche market in UK can't find anyone to publish. Some fascinating and tragic stories.

Andy Bird
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