Victory claims - fighter interception unit

[leal_kerr]

Can anyone please help with a list of claims (excluding V1's) made by the following units:

• FIU (Fighter Interception Unit)
• BSDU (Bomber Support Development Unit)
• FIDS (Fighter Interception Development Squadron)
• FEF (Fighter Experimental Flight)

Chris Shores notes the FIU made 21 claims (plus 86.5 V1's), the BSDU claimed 4, the FIDS claimed 2 and the FEF claimed a further 8.

I am after details (ie: dates, claim type, crew names, aircraft flown, serial etc) for these claims.

Can anyone help or point me in the right direction, in particular on the night of the 7/8 July the FIU claimed a Ju88 over Normandy, the details of the crew who claimed this aircraft would be great.

Thanks
Leal

[Chris Goss]

I have all air & ground kills for FIU between 14 Jun 44 & 25 Apr 45 by crew and type, air & ground

[leal_kerr]

Chris, thanks for your prompt reply. Can you provide that data at all or at least provide details for the claim made by the FIU on the 7/8 July. Please advise. Regards Leal.

[Chris Goss]

Leal: There would be quite a bit to list but for 7-8 Jul 44 I have Flt Lt Howard Williams/Fg Off McCrae claiming a Ju 88 and Lt Twiss/Fg Off Laice a Ju 88 at Melun. I have the report of the former having identified the Ju 88 (and have a photo of its tail) whilst I believe I have identified Twiss' kill

[leal_kerr]

Chris, thanks for clearing that up. Can I just ask one question, was Twiss's claim the 8th July or the 8th August?

I'm working on a list of Mosquito claims for the war using John Foreman's Fighter Command War Diaries as a base (for something to do). He notes that the FIU only got one on the 7/8 July and Chris Shores in "Those Other Eagles" indicates that Twiss got Ju88's on the 18th June and the 8th August.

Sorry to be a pain, just want to confirm, just in case these sources are incorrect.

What's on the drawing board in the book department from you?

Many thanks for your help.

Regards
Leal Kerr

[Chris Goss]

Oops-more haste less speed. Twiss' kill was 7-8 Aug not Jul. If you are doing this for Mossies, presume you have used Sharp & Bowyer's Mosquito book as a starting point?

My book on night fighter-bomber missions is being set as I write-due out in April I think. I have a number of other contracts but in all honesty, the effort of writing books is not worth the return so I am concentrating on articles. However, I expect to be writing something book-wise on the Luftwafe in the Blitz in the next year or so

[leal_kerr]

Chris, thanks for that confirmation. I can understand the economic and psychological effects book writing may have on one's self. However whatever direction you go I will enjoy any article or book that you write in the future.

Regards
Leal Kerr