Biscay incident 2 August 1943

[Roundway]

On 2 August 1943 Lt Wolff (15/KG40) and Lt Wittmer (14/KG40), flying J88s, attacked and destroyed Hampden AT182/1404 whilst it was flying a meteorological reconnaissance sortie over Biscay. The Hampden was an aircraft of 1404 Meteorological Flight, based at St Eval.

Is anyone able to provide an account of the incident from the Luftwaffe perspective please? I'm particularly interested in the location (Lat/Long).

Brian

[Fairlop]

Brian,

8.40am, PLQ 24W/1867.

Regards,
Michal

[Roundway]

Thanks Michal. Could you convert that position into Lat/Long please as I'm not familiar with the position format you quote?

TIA
Brian

[Chris Goss]

Brian: You probably have access to my book and I am afraid that I have nothing else on the incident (apart from a possible photo of the burning wreckage)

[Roundway]

Thank you Chris. I regret not having read your book, although I've been advised it does include a reference to the incident. My interest arises from the fact I am listing all the incidents that cost Meteorological Air Observers (MAO) their lives. When I saw a reference to one of the crew of this aircraft on another forum I needed to look a little deeper, as I had no MAO casualty for this day. In fact, although the aircraft was on a routine met reconnaissance flight, there was no MAO, the met work was being done by the navigator (a not unusual procedure at this time).

From the position given, the Hampden must have been close to the end of its outbound leg and preparing to make an ascent to 18000 ft. My hope was that someone on this forum might have access to the combat reports (if they exist) of the two German pilots.

I believe this was the only met reconnaissance aircraft lost through enemy action.

Brian

[Chris Goss]

Brian

I am afraid that the combat reports do not exist and I can translate the PlQ to a lat & long if this is of use

[Roundway]

Thank you for the offer Chris, but I've received a conversion off-board. A pity about the combat reports though.

Brian

[Roundway]

Chris,

I've just reread your reference to a photograph. Is it in the book or amongst your collection?

Brian

[Chris Goss]

In my collection and it went into the book