Blenheims losses 30.06/26.08.41

[robert]

Hi everyone,
I`m looking for details of following German claims:
- 30.06.41 I/JG52 two Blenheims NW Texel at 14.47-51
- 26.08.41 I/JG52 three Blenheims N of Juist at 14.15-20
Does anybody know the involved allied units?

TIA

Regards

Robert

[rafcommands]

21 Sqn
226 Sqn
88 Sqn
82 Sqn
107 Sqn

All these units lost Blenheims on those days and in those areas.

The books recommended to you refine the losses down to who claimed what.

Alternatively you can obtain copies of the RAF Form 540 and 541 from The National Archives for the units listed. You will also need to cross check serials against the RAF Form 78s held at the RAF Museum Hendon as the ORBs are in error in a few places.

Ross

[Hans Nauta]

Hi Robert,

Be carefull with the claims. Actually the two Blenheims claimed NW of Texel on 30th June weren't shot down at all, but only damaged.
In fact 107 Squadron lost 2 Blenheims R3801 and V6139, however to Flak near Sylt, Denmark, the remainder were intercepted by Bf.109's of 2./JG52 NW of Texel.

I join Ross in the opinion that there exist good reference publications about this subject.
Mentioned before the Coastal Command Losses 1939-1941 by Ross McNeill and The Bristol Blenheim by Graham Warener.
You may also check Blenheim Strike by the Dutch author Theo Boiten, which covers almost all Blenheim losses along the Dutch coast.

Good luck!
Hans Nauta

[robert]

Thanks a lot.

@Hans,

this damaged Blenheims were also from 107 Squadron?

Robert

[Hans Nauta]

Hi Robert,

Yes, 7 Blenheims of 107 Squadron were sent out to the seaplane base at Westerland. Two were shot down by Flak near Sylt. The remainder returned and were attacked by 4 Bf.109's of 2./JG52, operating from De Vlijt airfield, Texel.
Although two were claimed by Oblt Karl-Heinz Leesmann, none of these two actually crashed, but returned damaged to Great Massingham.
One of the damaged Blenheims was flown by S/Ldr Zeke Murray. I haven't been succesful in identifying the other one. I've a copied the ORB in the National Archives (PRO) London, but there are no details concerning the identity of the damaged Blenheims.

Regards,
Hans Nauta

[robert]

Many, many thanks.

Robert