152 Sqn on 11.8.40

[robert]

I need an overview of missions that have been flown on 11.8.40 by 152 Sqn. Perhaps somebody could help me?
Many thanks in advance.

Best regards

Robert

[Chris Goss]

Suggest you PM Danny Burt who wrote the Sqn history

[gedburke3]

Morning Robert,
I can email you their ORB for August when I get home.
I'm at work at the moment and have no idea from memory what detail it gives.
Gerry

[Chris Goss]

BofbCA says Blue and Black Sections (4 ac) took off at 1015hrs. Blue Section took a shot at a 109 with no result and landed 1110hrs. Black Section (Wildblood & Shepley) each claimed a 109 and tried to damage a Ju 88 but landed 1110hrs. Red and Yellow took off at 1045hrs. Red 1 saw nothing and landed 1130hrs. . Red 2 had an inconclusive combat with 1 109s. Yellow 1 took shots at 2 109s and then saw Yellow 2 (Plt Off J S B Jones) going down, pilot jumped and parachute opened

[Danny152]

Hi Robert,

Away from home till the weekend so will check my records if there is anything else to add from what the guys have sent you. Any other dates information you need, happy to help.

Cheers

Danny

[robert]

Hi,

many thanks for these details but I`m mostly interested on the afternoon escort mission for Blenheim planes of 604 Sqn, when a Bf109E of stab III./JG2 has been shot down. Any info on this mission?

Best regards

Robert

[Danny152]

When I get home will send you what I have. This was the day that P/O Jones was shot down by Ettling. And the 604 Blenheims destroyed a He59. Is this of interest?

Thanks

Danny

[robert]

Yes of course!

BR

Robert

[Chris Goss]

BofBCA just says 3 Spits from 152 escorted Sqn Ldr M F A Anderson and Plt Off E D Crew of 604 Sqn and they sank a Seenotzentrale Cherbourg He 59. There were two rescue ships and a dinghy spotted and 152 Sqn was attacked by six Bf 109s

[Peter Cook]

This is a transcript of the 152 Squadron ORB Form 540

ORB Form 540 - Summary of Events - August 11
Airfield: Middle Wallop - Four Spitfires took off from Middle Wallop to proceed to Warmwell, being vectored to a point between Swanage and Portland. 18 109's were sighted in a dog fight with either Spitfires or Hurricanes. They broke up and started back to France. S/Ldr. Devitt and P/O. Williams chased them but were unable to get into effective range. S/Ldr. Devitt fired a few rounds at about 500 yards but without apparent result. P/O. Wildblood attacked a ME. 109 and closed to fifty yards, and this E/A was seen to dive vertically into the sea, he then turned to attack another ME. 109 together with P/O. Shipley he fired remainder of ammunition and then broke away leaving P/O. Shipley to continue attack. Black smoke was seen coming from this machine which dived fast and steadily downwards. F/Lt. Boitel-Gill saw P/O. Jones bail out and parachute open, but unfortunately no more was heard of P/O. Jones who was therefore reported missing.
Source for Data: The National Archives AIR 27/1025/1

There are no Form 541 entries for 152 Squadron for the whole of August, and so pilot names, a/c serails, and times have to be interpreted from combat reports, Form 540 and Intelligence reports. This is my listing for the combat that took place off Portland in the morning:

P/O T.S. Wildblood - 1015-1110 - Black 1 - Bf 109 dest. (10.45)
P/O D.C. Shepley - 1015-1110 - Black 2 - Bf 109 prob. (10.45)
S/L P.K. Devitt - 1015-1110 - Blue 1
P/O W.D. Williams - 1015-1110 - Blue 2
P/O R.F. Inness - 1045-1145 - Red 1
Sgt R. Wolton - 1045-1145 - Red 2
F/L D.P.A. Boitel-Gill - 1045-1145 - Yellow 1
P/O J.S.B. Jones – 1045 - Yellow 2 - a/c dest., Killed

Three unnamed 152 Squadron pilots were involved in a later engagement, escorting Blenheims of 604 Squadron between 12.50 and 24.00. The Blenheims shot down a He 59, and the Spitfires engaged six Bf 109s, but no claims were made.

I hope that this is helpful.

Peter