Help from any Norwegians...

[Smithy]

Hi all and Happy New Year,

I am looking for a detailed account of Circus 201 which occurred on 31/7/1942 and in which 332 (Norwegian) lost 4 pilots (2 killed and 2 POW) as well as the CO, Major Mohr wounded.

This seems to have been a very dark day for 332 and I am trying to get further info on 332´s involvement in this op as well as a more detailed account of the action in relation to the 332 pilots involved.

Thanks in advance!

Tim.

[Alex Smart]

Hello Smithy,

From FCL vol 2
332 Sqdn losses were -
Spitfire Vb serial number AR379 Sgt. O. Tanburg killed.
Spitfire Vb serial number BL960 Lt. E. Hagan POW.
Spitfire Vb serial number AB906 2Lt. H. K. Hansen POW/wounded.
Spitfire Vb serial number EP177 Maj. W. Mohr wounded.
Spitfire Vb serial number BL386 Sgt. S. Nygaard killed.
Spitfire Vb serial number AD449 pilot ? fate ?

Hope this helps.

Any idea as to the pilot of AD449 ?

Alex

[Smithy]

Thanks Alex, I´ve actually got all that info.

I´m after a more detailed account from the 332 pilots´perspective if possible. I´m hoping one of the Norwegians here might have access to the combat reports or from the official history of 332 which was published on the 50th anniversary of its formation which might mention this.

Cheers anyway!

Tim.

[Alex Smart]

Hi Tim,

No problem.

Here are nine of the names of the twelve pilots that took part. the details of 201 can be found on Les butlers site for 1942.You may be able to get further details from that site.
Have you the other three names ? if so could you post them here please?
Maj.W. Mohr
Lt. H. Hagen
2Lt. H. K. Hansen
2Lt. S. Heglund
Sgt. N. K. Jórsted
Sgt. S. Liby
Sgt. S. Nygaard
Sgt. O. Tanberg
Sgt. T. Waerner

Thanks
Alex

[Smithy]

Hi Alex,

Sorry I don´t have the names of the other 3 pilots involved either.

Seems to have been a 332 show with Mohr leading, although by the looks of it they seconded Heglund and Jørstad from 331 to be involved as well. It would be interesting to know whether any of the other 3 were also from 331.

I´ve just had a look in "Høk over Høk" and unfortunately Heglund doesn´t appear to mention Circus 201 in his text, there is only the entry from his logbook in the back of the book which mentions his damaged 190.

Tim.

[atckyrre]

I don't access to any detailed accounts. I just thought I'd add what little is said in "Spitfire, Norsk jagerflyger i kamp" by Birger Tidemand-Johannessen. Translated:
"332 Squadron's first meeting with the FW190 took place towards the end of July 1942 and it cost them four planes The Germans lost a Bf109F and one FW190 while another one was damaged. The Allies realised the German tactics of first using Fockewulf at low altitude as bait while a larger swarm would be waiting at higher altitudes in order to take the attackers from above and behind."

Kyrre

[Smithy]

Hi Kyrre, thought you´d be hanging around at MUG

Thanks for that. The old story of Spit Vbs being mauled by 190s and a hard lesson learnt by 332.

Cheers,

Tim.

[atckyrre]

Originally Posted by Smithy

Hi Kyrre, thought you´d be hanging around at MUG

Thanks for that. The old story of Spit Vbs being mauled by 190s and a hard lesson learnt by 332.

Cheers,

Tim.

I'm everywhere. Especially when I'm at home from work.
I've checked up with Vera Henriksen's Airforce-book about the war and although this book normally is quite detailed there's nothing in it on the actual date as I can see.

Kyrre

[Soren Flensted]

Alex
You mentioned a site by Les Butler. What is the address ?

[Smithy]

Hi Alex and Kyrre,

I found some more info regarding Circus 201...

Target was Abbeville (home of the infamous "Abbeville Boys") with 12 RAF Bostons from 2 Group and fighters from 9 squadrons (121 sorties flown). Rendezvous was at 14:30 with the pilots from 331 and 332 acting as target support.

The RAF claimed 11 destroyed, 1 probable and 5 damaged for the loss of 10. The Bostons only achieved strikes on the north-eastern dispersal of the target.

Tim.