Bomber Command Losses 1941-42

[Chris Goss]

Can anyone give a possible match to the following losses:

8 Sep 41, 0122 hrs, Wellington, Nienborg
9 Mar 42, 2248 hrs, Wellington, Gescher
13 Apr 42, 0311 hrs, Wellington, no location
24 Apr 42, 2332 hrs, Manchester, Ameland
2 Jun 42, 0200 hrs, Halifax, Winterswijk

[Chris Goss]

Gescher crash was DV447/150 Sqn (Sqn Ldr J P V Nicholls) and 2 Jun crash was W1098/10 Sqn (Plt Off D D P Joyce). 2 down, 3 to go!

[Peter Clare]

The only Manchester loss I have come with for the 24 Aprl 1942 is....

106 Squadron
Manchester I L7463
Op. Rostock
Took off 2200 hrs Coningsby. Crashed 0320 hrs at Visgaarde 3 km East of Tinglev. Denmark.

BCL WR Chorley.

[Chris Goss]

Thanks Peter but I have noted this already. I was hoping that there might be something else (SOE/CC for example) but nothing matches

[M sIMPSON]

Hi there,
It seems possible that the claim for a Manchester is a case of mistaken identity.I am assuming that this claim belongs to Oblt Helmut Woltersdorf of 7/NJG1 on the night of 24/25 April 1942,in which case it could relate to the loss of Blenheim IV V5458 RT-O of 114 Sqn which was on an intruder sortie to Leeuwarden airfield when it was lost without trace.
Hope this is of use,
Regards,Mark.

[Chris Goss]

Mark: I have considered this. According to Chorley, V5458 took off at 2215 hrs (2315 hrs German time) which makes Woltersdorf's claim 17 minutes later. However, south of Ameland makes it just north of Leeuwarden. I have no Flak claims for that area at that night so it is possible, despite the time differences?

[Chris Goss]

...and the 8 Sep 41 kill/loss was W5598/PH-N of 12 sqn. Those who were killed were buried at Metelen which is next to and NE of Nienborg.

Seek and ye shall find!

Chris