Meteor Mk.I and V-1 kills

[Fairlop]

Hi,

On July 27th 1944 the 616 Squadron started interception and destroy missons against the German V1 flying bomb with their Gloster Meteor 1's. With 12 new a/c it claimed a total of 13 destroyed during following days. Does anyone have information if YQ-D / EE217, YQ-G / EE222 or YQ-Y / EE227 were successful ?
Any comments much appreciated.

Regards,
Michal

[Franek Grabowski]

Unfortunatelly no identification in the ORB. Your only chance seems personal log books.

[Fairlop]

Thank you !

Michal

[bearoutwest]

Here's a brief list of the Meteor combat claims (V-1s and aircraft) that I've managed to track down so far.

#1 4 Aug 44 F/O Dixie Dean EE216
V-1 destroyed by tipping (after gun jam). Sighted at 1616 hours, over Tonbridge.

#2 4 Aug 44 F/O J.K. Rodger
V-1 destroyed by 20mm cannon over Tenterden, 25 minutes after Dean’s encounter.

#3 7 Aug 44 F/O Dixie Dean
V-1 destroyed by 20mm cannon, near Robertsbridge.

#4 10 Aug 44 F/O Dixie Dean
V-1 destroyed by 20mm cannon, near Ashford.

#5 16 Aug 44 F/O W. McKenzie RCAF
V-1 by tipping, near Maidstone.

#6 16 Aug 44 F/O M. Mullenders(Belgian)
V-1 by 20mm cannon, near Ashford.

** 16 Aug 44 W/C. A. McDowall
2 V-1s attacked. Each time broke off due to proximity of balloon barrage.

#7 17 Aug 44 F/O Ritch V-1.

#8 17 Aug 44 W/O Woodacre V-1.

#9 17 Aug 44 F/Sgt Assy V-1.

#10 19 Aug 44 F/O Hobson 1/2 V-1
Shared with another Tempest squadron.

#11 19 Aug 44 F/Sgt Watts V-1.

#12 28 Aug 44 F/O Hobson, F/Sgt Epps V-1 shared.

#13 29 Aug 44 F/O Miller V-1.
(and last by the squadron).

4 Feb 45
3 Meteor IIIs and a Meteor I stationed at airfield B-58 in Belgium (Brussels-Melsbroek).
All white paint scheme used.
W/C A McDowall – YP-P EE225 – Mk I
S/L D.A. Barry – YP-Q EE239 – Mk III
F/L M.M. Mullenders – YP-R EE240 – Mk III
F/O J.K. Rodgers – YP-S EE241 – Mk III

3 May 45
W/C W.E. Schrader (NZ), F/L A.G.P. Jennings
Flying from B-156 airfield, Luneberg, these two attack Schonberg airfield. Claimed destroyed on the ground are:
2x Ju 87, 2x He 111, 1x Bf 109, 1x Fi 156.
(Jennings claimed the Fi 156, encountered in the air but landed and was destroyed on the ground.)

The primary source of information is from an article by Chris Shores in Air Combat magazine – Jan 1976 (Vol 4, No.1) - ”The Allies’ First Jet Fighter”.

I've only been able to locate the reference to EE216 as F/O Dixie Dean's first wing tipping claim.

[Franek Grabowski]

Originally Posted by bearoutwest

#5 16 Aug 44 F/O W. McKenzie RCAF
V-1 by tipping, near Maidstone.

According to combat report, the kill was achieved in most traditional fashion. It seems most likely, McKenzie at the time shot up a Mustang aircraft - doubtless the first Allied jet victory over a manned aircraft. Source: my article in Lotnictwo journal.

The primary source of information is from an article by Chris Shores in Air Combat magazine – Jan 1976 (Vol 4, No.1) - ”The Allies’ First Jet Fighter”.

Oh, Air Combat magazine! I have only a few issues but it was a great journal. Anybody knows if and where I may acquire some old issues at reasonable price?

[Fairlop]

Hi Geoff,

Thank you very much for the list. It´s very useful. Info about white Meteors outran my future question !

Regards,
Michal

[Alex Smart]

Code YP ?
Shouldn't it be YQ

Alex

[bearoutwest]

Hi Alex,

You are most likely correct. YQ is the 616 Squadron code. I had look at the magazine article, and it definitely says YP-P, YP-Q, etc. Probably a typo, somewhere. Don't forget, the magazine article is 29 years old. It's the only place that I've found a complete list of the Meteor - V-1 victories, but I'm sure there's been more information released or corrected since the magazine's publication. Good place to start the research though.

...geoff

[Brian]

Hi guys

Whilst on the subject of V-1 flying bombs, does anyone know how many were shot down by USAAF pilots? I have some details but not a complete listing of dates: For example, I note that Lt Carl Bickel of 353rdFS scored 3 but have no dates. Also Lt Lewis Powers of 353rd got 2 and one shared and Lt Edwin Fisher of 377thFS also got 3. I know all about the P-61 claims. An unidentified P-51 pilot shot down one on 12 July 1944 that exploded and tragically killed a nearby Dutch Spitfire pilot. Any ideas?

Cheers
Brian

[bearoutwest]

Hello Brian,

I'm a keen reader of your books, so it's pleasant to be able to discuss aviation with you in the virtual world.

Can't add much to the list of US pilots claiming V-1 kills. However, do you know anything about the RN-FAA Avenger crew that spotted a V-1 cruising along. The turret gunner calmly shot it down as it went past. I saw this as the subject of a painting but don't know anything about the incident.

...geoff