Combat Report 100 Squadron Lancaster ND356, 15-16 March 1944?

[Theo Boiten]

Dear all,

100 Squadron Lancaster ND356 was shot up in a Schräge Musik (upward firing cannon) attack during the night of 15-16 March 1944 but managed to regain base. Is there a Combat Report available that records the time & location of the German night fighter attack?

Cheers and thanks for any details, Theo

[SteveR]

AIR 50/292/947 gives the serial number as ED356, aircraft 'Q'.

Position: 4835 W, 0715 N

Time: 2353 hours

Height: 23,000 feet

"This attack took place just after bombs had been released."...

I've got it downloaded and would be happy to email it to you if you'd like.

[Theo Boiten]

Thanks for these details Steve. No need to send the complete report. I'd hoped to identify the German night fighter that delivered the attack, but no luck ..

Cheers, Theo

[SteveR]

You're welcome as always, Theo.

The file I cited above comes from No. 1 Group; it has the particulars regarding attacks on 4 other aircraft on the Stuttgart mission. in addition, AIR 50/292/897 (which I've also got downloaded) has the particulars for the attacks on 5 other (not the ones covered by 50/292/947) aircraft from that mission.

Will post the details for all if it would be any help.

[Theo Boiten]

Hi Steve,

Yes please do post the other incidents too. I have one unidentified Nachtjagd claim on 15-16 March 1944 for which I have not been able to find a matching BC loss or an incident/attack from which the bomber involved escaped damaged:

Oblt. Rolf Bussmann: 16 10./NJG5 4-mot E. Offenburg: 5.600 m. 23.32 Stuttgart raid, unidentified. Note: victory confirmed on 28.7.1944

Cheers, Theo

[SteveR]

Apologies for my delay in getting back to this.

Of the 9 other Lancasters in the 2 files, only 1 was damaged. Here is the report from AIR 50/292/897:

1. Report No. 61(? - can't read the last digit) Night 15/16th March 1944. Lancaster Q/625 W.4263 STUTTGART
2. 4847N. 0910E. 2321 hrs. 21,000 ft. 165 mph. I.A.S. 010 deg. M.
3. 4/10 cloud below. Clear above. Starlight.
4. No searchlights.
5. Large bright orange flare very close on stbd bow at time of attack.
6. 1 Ju.88.
7. No lights carried.
8. Not known.
9. 300 yds. Dead astern crossing to stbd.
10. One attack from port beam, breaking away to stbd down.
11. Our aircraft corkscrewed.
(b) No instructions given, inter-com having been shot away.
(c) See (b).
12. Not known.
13. None to enemy aircraft. Cannon shell in port side of fuselage of our aircraft, inter-com system damaged, rear turret pipe lines holed, mid upper pressure line severed, oxygen lines to both turrets shot away. Both turrets u/s.
14. Nil.
15. Mid upper gunner: H(?).207383. Sgt. Bottomley. H.F., Trained at 3 B.& G.S., 1(?)0. T.U., 165(3?) C.U., 3 L.F.S.
Rear gunner: 1435457. Sgt. (Rimmer?) R.A. trained at 4 AGS, 11 OTU, 1653 CU, 3 LFS.
16. Boozer fitted. Warning received.
17. Our aircraft had just bombed and was proceeding out of the target area when it was illuminated by a large bright orange flare dropped on the stbd bow. The first warning of an attack was a cannon shell striking the rear part of the port fuselage which was at the time thought to be flak. A boozer warning was then received and the pilot, without waiting for orders from the gunner, immediately went into a corkscrew, until the warning light went out. By this time the inter-com was found to be u/s in both turrets while oxygen supply to the turrets had also been cut. Both turret hydraulic systems were u/s due to the pipe lines being severed. Neither gunner received injury. The mid upper gunner left his turret and plugged in to the oxygen extention (sic) lead to the mid under position and returned to his turret. The rear gunner, who was unconscious through lack of oxygen, was brought back to the rest bed position by the navigator and wireless operator and remained there for the major part of the return trip. No other encounter occurred. The E/A had made a surprise attack from the port beam and the first sighting the rear made was when it was sliding across from port to stbd. Boozer warning then being received, our aircraft went into violent evasive action and the E/A was lost to sight. Prompt action on the part of the pilot.

Could this be a match?

[Theo Boiten]

Hi Steve,

Thanks for posting this interesting combat report. I've checked but no single or twin engined Nachtjagd claim can be tied to this incident.

Cheers, Theo

[SteveR]

Is there another possibility for Oblt. Bussman's claim?