Sqn Ldr Reginald J Peacock - Blenhein Ace

[bearoutwest]

Okay, think I've answered my own question to Andy by finally locating my copy of his book 'Coastal Dawn'. Here's a quick summary of the five claims by Peacock.

12-May-1940 1xBf109
Momentary pause in swirling dogfight, Peacock bounces a passing Bf109, claimed as a kill. (Rest of Blenheim flight badly mauled by Bf110s and Bf109s.)

27-Jun-1940 1xBf109, 1xBf109 damaged
Blenheims bounced by Bf109s. Peacock notes that Blenheims can turn inside Bf109s if they break at the right moment. Takes a snap-shot at passing Bf109s after turning inside each attack. Claims awarded for 1xBf109 destroyed and 1x damaged.

3.Aug-1940 1/3 x He115
Combined attack by 3 Blenheims results in He115 down.

11-Aug-1940 1/3 x Bf109
Recce by flight of 3 Blenheims. Bf109 downed by combined defensive fire by the 3 Blenheim turret gunners.

18-Aug-1940 1x Ju87
Intercepts Ju87s over Thorney Island during raid. Thinks he hit a Ju87 during dogfight. Subsequently awarded kill.


...geoff


(BTW, highly recommend 'Coastal Dawn', if interested in action of Coastal Command Blenheim fighter squadrons.)

[Larry]

Very interesting Geoff. Thanks

[phasselgren]

There is a combat report from the 12th May in AIR 15/371 Active operations – record and analysis of air combats.

Time is 0755 hours, the combat report is for the crew of Blenheim “N”. After an initial dive attack ib line astern by the Me 109s the combat broke down in a series of individual actions were several attacks were made from dead ahead by the Me 109s. This comment is interesting: “the E/A appeared to be unable to follow the Blenheim round in a turn either to port or starboard.” The claim was made against a Me 109 hit during a head-on attack.

After the combat Blenheim “O” was seen on the ground plus another bigger burning aircraft thought to be a Blenheim and two smaller burning wrecks thought to be Me 109s.

Regards,
Peter

[andy bird]

Originally Posted by bearoutwest

Okay, think I've answered my own question to Andy by finally locating my copy of his book 'Coastal Dawn'. Here's a quick summary of the five claims by Peacock.

12-May-1940 1xBf109
Momentary pause in swirling dogfight, Peacock bounces a passing Bf109, claimed as a kill. (Rest of Blenheim flight badly mauled by Bf110s and Bf109s.)

27-Jun-1940 1xBf109, 1xBf109 damaged
Blenheims bounced by Bf109s. Peacock notes that Blenheims can turn inside Bf109s if they break at the right moment. Takes a snap-shot at passing Bf109s after turning inside each attack. Claims awarded for 1xBf109 destroyed and 1x damaged.

3.Aug-1940 1/3 x He115
Combined attack by 3 Blenheims results in He115 down.

11-Aug-1940 1/3 x Bf109
Recce by flight of 3 Blenheims. Bf109 downed by combined defensive fire by the 3 Blenheim turret gunners.

18-Aug-1940 1x Ju87
Intercepts Ju87s over Thorney Island during raid. Thinks he hit a Ju87 during dogfight. Subsequently awarded kill.


...geoff


(BTW, highly recommend 'Coastal Dawn', if interested in action of Coastal Command Blenheim fighter squadrons.)

Geoff - Cheers Claims kindly supplied by Chris Goss - Coastal book is one being gradually re-written whilst doing 'Bristol Blenheim' for Amberley 26,000 words in just reached BoB. Frontlines Bombs on Berlin - A Womens Story 1940 -1944 together with 'The Lift' - Building a Nation 1945 - 1948 both long over due, due to domestic issues. Whilst Banff Strike Wing published is also under going a re-write too.

Its fantasic that people on the forum want to read my books, and the support has been great long may it continue.

Kind regards

Andy B