Identity of Bomber Command aircraft/crew involved in combat with German intruder on 23/24.4.41?

[Theo Boiten]

Dear all,

On the night of 23-24 April 1941, a Do17 intruder crew of 2./NJG2 attacked a British bomber (at an inspecified location but either over the North Sea or over the UK) but in turn was hit by return fire. The Dornier pilot was wounded, managed to return to Gilze-Rijen airfield and died of his injuries that same night.

I am looking for the identity of the British Bomber Command aircraft and crew that was involved in this incident; who can help?

Theo

[phasselgren]

Hi Theo,

Interception and Tactics report from this night has two combats on this night. The first involving a Stirling over the target but the other involving a 3 Group Wellington:

S. of WEYMOUTH, 0001 hours, 5,000 feet. E/A with no lights fired with four gun at Wellington of 3 Group.

21 Wellingtons was sent by 3 Group – 9 Sqn 7 a/c, 149 Sqn 9 a/c and 311 Sqn 5 a/c. There is no information about this combat in the ORBs of 9 and 149 Sqns but this does not necessarily exclude the possibility that one of those sqns were involved. Unfortunately I do not have access to the ORB of 311 Sqn.

Cheers
Peter

[Theo Boiten]

Hi Peter,

Thanks for sharing these useful details.

Cheers, Theo