Claims for Ju 88s in the Med

[Chris Goss]

Has anyone got any RAF claims for the following dates:

6 Jul 42 (crew buried El Alamein)
20 Jul 42 (sea off Crete around 1500 hrs defending Ju 52s)
21 Apr 43 (around 0350 hrs into the sea)

[Tom Semenza]

Hi Chris,

In the early afternoon of 6 July 42, P/O A.R. Boyle of 601 Sqn. claimed a Ju 88 damaged in the El Daba area. However Med. Air War v.2 does not list any Ju 88 casualties for that date.

For 20 July 42 there is no mention of any RAF claims or German losses in MAW2.

However for the night of 20/21 April 43, a 108 Sqn. crew (F/O R.J. Foster & P/O M.F. Newton) claimed a Ju 88 at 0250 hrs. near Marsala, Sicily. MAW3 says the victim was a Ju 88C-6 of I./NJG 2 (Oblt. M. Castaldo and crew killed).

Regards,
Tom

[phasselgren]

Chris,

It is believed that a Ju 88 crashed while trying to follow a Wellington from 108sqn on the night 5/6 July 1942. Pilot was F/Sgt John Metcalfe RAF 1058645 which received a DFM. See ORB and Tavender´s The DFM Register for WW2.

Regards
Peter

[Chris Goss]

Peter/Tom

Thanks for this. I should have looked at 108 Sqn Detachment records for the 2nd kill (Shores has this crew shooting down a 10./ZG 26 aircraft but this would have been daylight). It looks as if a 37 Sqn crew accounted for a Ju 88 the night before as well

[phasselgren]

Chris

The operations in the Mediterranean area by 159 and 160 Squadrona are missing in the ORBs for summer months 1942 but you can get some information in the ORB of 242 Wing. There are some night combats with Ju 88s and Me 110s mentioned including a few claims.

Regards
Peter

[Chris Goss]

Peter
Thanks. I./NJG 2 returned to Belgium start of August 1942, last claim from memory 30 July

[phasselgren]

Combats from June and July 1942.

Night 28/29.6.42
5 Liberators of 159 Sqn bombed zig-zag road at Halfaya pass and Sollum escarpment. 7 Liberators of Halversons detachment attacked Tobruk between 0100 and 0135 hrs. One of 159 Sqn attacked by ME 110 and one engaged monoplane. Aircraft damaged by burst from ME. Two gunners hurt – one killed. Rear gunner saw direct hit from return fire and 110 going down. Another unidentified a/c firing tracer seen at Sollum. Fours aircraft of Halversons saw fighters – one claiming hit with return fire.

Night 29/30.6.42
9 Liberators of 159 Sqn and 5 Liberators of Halversons detailed attacking shipping Tobruk harbour. Aircraft “F” of Halversons claims hit on JU 88 at 2323 hours 15-20 miles in Tobruk area and also saw a plane in Sollum area.

23.7.42
5 Liberators of 159 Sqn and 8 Liberators of Halversons detachment attacked shipping at Benghazi at 2009 hours. One JU 88, one ME 110, one Macchi intercepted formation in target area damaging E & R (159 Sqn). ME 110 and JU 88 considerably peppered by return fire. Macchi 200 claimed shot down. Liberator L missing.

[Chris Goss]

Thanks. Trouble with this is the Germans make no mention of any aircraft damaged, just destroyed. However, Hptm Semrau of 3./NJG2 did claim a Halifax on the night of 29 June 1942 so I wonder if he attacked the Liberators? As to 5/6 July 1942, the RAF pilot dropped the Wellington to 70ft and the German pilot then flew into the ground it would appear

[Adriano Baumgartner]

F/Sgt Metcalfe really earned his DFM the "though" way.

[Chris Goss]

Adriano-tough way?