Do18 of 1./KuFlGr.406 20Oct40

[andy bird]

New Zealand Maurice Baird in a 248 Blenheim engaged Do 18 at 0900hrs which reportedly ditched near Utsire. I've described it as being attacked fro astern.

Does any one have the crew names or any other info.

Andy Bird

[Nick Beale]

This from TNA HW13/28 may be relevant:

[Chris Goss]

Crew were rescued uninjured so not recorded in the usual sources

[Rottler]

Hello,

loss report of Gen.Qu. No. 17 from October 22, 1940:
Do 18 WNr. 801 1./406 Quadrat 2847 Notlandung nach Luftkampf, Flugzeug versenkt, Besatzung gerettet, 100%.
In the database of the team "Luftwaffe-zur-See" is noticed:
Do 18 D-3 WNr. 801
Mai 1938 Fertigung bei Weserflug in Einswarder
Mai 1938 bei 2.(F)/KüFlGr 506 Hörnum
25.10.1938 Abgabe an 1.(F)/KüFlGr 406 Rantum
20.10.1940 Quadrat 2847 Notlandung nach Luftkampf, durch eigene Kräfte versenkt.

Regards
Leo Rottler

[Peter Cornwell]

I currently have these losses listed so:

1./KüFlGr. 406 Dornier Do18D-3 (0801). Damaged in action with Blenheim of No.248 Squadron (P/O G.M. Baird) during reconnaissance off south-west coast of Norway and ditched 80 miles west of Haugesund 10.05 a.m. Crew all rescued unhurt by Do18 K6+KH. Aircraft K6+DH 100% write-off.

248 Squadron, Sumburgh Blenheim IV P6952. Believed shot down by Fw Werner Petermann of 5./JG77 west of Stavanger following attack on Do18 of 1./KüFlGr.406 and ditched in the North Sea 12 miles off Utsira 10.07 a.m. (WOp/AG) Sergeant Richard Copcutt missing, (Pilot) Pilot Officer G. Maurice Baird captured badly bruised, (Obs) Sergeant Douglas L. Burton (RNZAF) captured slightly wounded - admitted to hospital in Stavanger, (Obs) Sergeant Stanley V. Wood captured badly wounded in foot - transferred to hospital in Oslo. Aircraft WR*X a write-off.
The three survivors took to their dinghy and were picked up by He59 BV+HH of Seenotflugkdo.5 and landed at Stavanger.

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Is there a know reason why they were four men aboard this Blenheim ? It is rather unusual in operation.

[Peter Cornwell]

Reason not known to me. Sorry.

[Hans Nauta]

Dear all,

It is indeed rather unusual that a Blenheim had a 4 man crew in an operational sortie!

I've checked the ORB and Sgt Burton isn't amongst the crew listings on previous sorties. So I guess he may have been an extra observer or perhaps a war correspondent or photographer...

Regards,
Hans

[andy bird]

Chris, Leo, Nick, Peter, Laurant, and Hans,

Thank's for these valuable pieces of info; as I conclude this chapter on Sam McHardy for the forthcoming "Heroes of RAF Coastal Command: 1939 - 1945" very much appreciated.

From Sam's memories Donald Burton was being trained as a lead navigator to recognise the distinctive features of the Norge coastline and leads;

According to Burton's relatives Wood was the camera operator - mentioned in Don's last letter written before take-off. I can only surmise that Copcutt and Woods swapped seats.

McHardy spoke with Baird at The Ritz London in late 1945:

There was disorientation with the instruments and compasses when Baird received Burtons instructions and flew the wrong course towards Haugesund rather than away.

Mentions Woods said on the intercom "There were two Hurricanes astern!" to Baird then in less than five minutes the Blenheim was in the sea.

Copcutt knocked out and floated aft; Baird managed to manhandle the unconscious Burton through the pilots hatch and lowered him down to Woods. Exhausted; Both then paddled away from Blenheim.

Shortly after they were picked up by a He 59.

I had written that Oberleutnant Heinrich Setz had shot them down so will change this piece - thanks Peter.

Thank you for your time and consideration

Best regards

Andy Bird

[andy bird]

Originally Posted by Laurent Rizzotti

Is there a know reason why they were four men aboard this Blenheim ? It is rather unusual in operation.

As I edit Heroes of Coastal Command for Pen & Sword to-day had a mail after I asked the question to Burton's daughter.

He had arrived on the 19 October for duty with 248, and wanted to gain experience he shard a tent with Baird who offered his a trip and gave him a chance to orientate himself with the landscape. Copcutt, Bairds normal observer unfortunately paid with his life.

Andy B