235 Sqn in combat with Do 17s 30th June 1940

[phasselgren]

Hi,

I am searching for more details about the encounters between 235 Sqn Blenheims and Do 17s on the 30 June 1940. This is what I have found so far.

AIR 28/838 ORB RAF Station Thorney Island
“Combat ‘Lab’ by 235 Squadron. 3 Aircraft
2 Dornier aircraft patrolling 2728. 2500 rounds fired. Enemy gunner silenced. 1 shot through exhaust ring. Dornier dived to sea level.
Combat ‘Lat’ by 235 Squadron. 3 Aircraft
1 Dornier Do 17 engaged. Difficulty experienced in making successful attack owing to insufficient speed of own aircraft.”

Maybe the Appendices have more to add but I have no copies.

Chris Goss has given me the following information from the CC Intsum and the unofficial 235 Sqn diary.
Intsum: B&T of 235 Sgn damaged Do 17 in KLWS 2728.
235 Sqn diary: Sgt Hobbs and Sgt Coggins patrolled off Guernsey.

According to Log book of air gunner Colin Chrystall (New Zealander in the RAF) he flew in Blenheim ‘B’ with Sgt Quelch as pilot. Up 1120 hrs. They escorted MV to Guernsey and then patrolled of Guernsey. Chased one and attacked another Do17 which was seriously damaged.

Thanks in advance,
Peter

[robert]

Hi,

all 4 Do 17s were from 3.(F)/123 (three landed at the island and the last was protecting them from above). All were undamaged.
Fw. Bauer (BF) of one of these planes claimed 2 Blenheim aircraft as shot down.

Regards

Robert

P.S. Do you have time of this combat?

[phasselgren]

Hi Robert,

Thanks, the only time I have is from Chrystall's log book. Up 1120 hrs and total time 3.45 (=down 1505 hrs)

Regards,
Peter

[Chris Goss]

The 4 Do 17s took off at 1251 hrs. No time in the CC Intsum. Strangely the diary makes no mention of the 30 Jun 40 combat but for 1 Jul says:

"3 patrols protecting shipping off Guernsey. P/O Patterson L9393 & F/L Flood L9252 in morning. 1125 hrs F/O Carr L9396 Sgt Quelch N3540 & Sgt Coggins N3541. Evening F/L Flood N3541. F/O Carr engaged Dornier & silenced rear gunner. Expended all ammunition & forced to break off"

[robert]

Hi Chris and Peter,

thanks for your information`s.

Regards

Robert

[Brian]

Hi guys

For further information on this action may I suggest FIRST OF THE FEW?

Cheers
Brian

[Chris Goss]

Brian

Does what you have written accord with 235 Sqn & 3/123's records?

Chris

[Brian]

Hi Chris

I believe that my information came from you!

Cheers
Brian

[andy bird]

Hi Chris, Brian, Robert and Peter,

I'll try and contact Basil Quelch's daughter, I know that he had some sheets of paper relating to this contact. There was also one photograph in an album.

Chrystall wrote home with the following:

"You'll be interested to hear a few days ago, we had the occasion to visit the Channel Islands - in particular Guernsey. Everything except an old Castle standing out in the sea was a new sight."

2 July 1940

[phasselgren]

Hi guys,

Thanks for your replies.

I completely missed to check THE FIRST OF THE FEW. Very interesting background to this combat.

I still have a little problem to get all pieces to fit in.

Assuming that the information from the CC Intsum applies the 30 June the 2 combats mentioned ORB RAF Station Thorney Island must have involved the same patrol as only one patrol included 3 aircraft (1125 hrs F/O Carr L9396 Sgt Quelch N3540 & Sgt Coggins N3541). The question is which Luftwaffe aircraft were involved in the first combat as I assume Fw Bauer was involved in the last mentioned combat. If Chrystall’s logbook is correct it was Sgt Quelch not Flt Flood who joined Carr in the attack on the aircraft were Fw Bauer was gunner.

I hope Andy can shed some additional light over these questions.

Regards,
Peter