Some RAF losses MTO 1942

[robert]

Hi everyone,
I`m looking for details of following German claims:
- 07.02.42 I/JG27 Blenheim NE Derna at 14.27
- 27.02.42 II/JG27 Wellington E Gambut at 07.50
- 10.03.42 I/JG27 Boston E.Sidi Barrani at 09.35
- 23.03.42 III/JG27 Boston SW Ain-el-Gazala at 10.23
- 14.04.42 II/JG27 Blenheim NW Derna at 15.25
Does anybody know the involved allied units?

TIA

Regards

Robert

[Francis Howell]

Hello Robert,

The Blenheim was T4838, an aircraft in the midst of being ferried to the area.
The Wellington was an aircraft of 148 Squadron
The 'Boston' was in fact a Beaufort of 39 Squadron
The Bostons atacked were of 24 SAAF Squadron, but the unit actually suffered no loss.
The 'Blenheim' was a Beaufort of 22/39 Squadron

Try to get hold of a copy of "Fighters over the Desert" - perhaps from your local library. Most of the answers you are looking for are in there. Incidentally, work on the complete updating and rewriting of this book is now, I am advised, in hand, although it will some some little while until it is ready for re-publication.

[rafcommands]

Hi Francis,

T4838 was not a Blenheim code. It was issued to a Beaufighter.

No loss from No.22 Sqn on 14th April 1942.

Ross

[robert]

Thank you both.

Regards

Robert

[Francis Howell]

Dear Robert and Ross,

Oops ! Sorry on that ! Yes, T4838 was a Beaufighter. It had come out with OADU, the ferry organisation, and then been issued to 272 Squadron. It was lost (according to Air-Britain) near Barce while attacking MT. However have just checked on locations, and Barce is quite a bit distant from Derna. On the other hand, 272 was based at LG 10 at the time, near Mersa Matruh, and would probably have flown back along the coast. Given the distance, I would guess that it might have refuelled at somewhere like Gambut en route.
Francis