Mystery Bomber Loss 18 March 41 Marble Arch

[AndreasB]

This was raised on Comando Supremo. Reports from German and Italian sources indicate that during the morning of 18 March 41 two British planes were shot down off Arco dei Fileni, one crashing into the sea, another with a surviving Lieutenant. I suppose the first of these is Blenheim IV T1955 of No. 55 Sqdn, lost in unknown circumstances while on Recco to Sirt.


On 19 March the Italian commander records a British bomber being shot down, with six sergeants taken POW who had French money on them. I suppose this is 3 Group Wellington W5630, coming from Waddishall, and having missed Benina continuing south. It is recorded in Gunby and Temple as lost on 18 March, but this could be correct if they left the UK later in the day, and were shot down the following day.


That leaves the mystery plane with a Lieutenant.


Any ideas?


All the best


Andreas

[Russell]

Andreas

The crew of the Blenheim all were MIA and did not survive. I am unaware of any other Transit losses or desert based losses that might fit, assuming the description of Lieutenant applies to Pilot Officers and Flying officers.

A mystery. Unless its

19 March 1941 AIR81/5476 lost on 17 March??
6 Sqn Hurricane V7345; aircraft shot down by anti aircraft fire; Flight Lieutenant J C Wilson: prisoner of war. Note: Related file 5633


Regards

Russell

[AndreasB]

Thank you so much Russell!


The Hurricane sounds like the right candidate. Great help as always!



All the best


Andreas

[AndyMa]

Originally Posted by AndreasB

Reports from German and Italian sources indicate that during the morning of 18 March 41 two British planes were shot down off Arco dei Fileni, one crashing into the sea, another with a surviving Lieutenant. I suppose the first of these is Blenheim IV T1955 of No. 55 Sqdn, lost in unknown circumstances while on Recco to Sirt.

A minor point, but this Blenheim was T1995:
https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...ls/r/C16689571

[AndreasB]

Thanks!


We figured out the Wellington too!



All the best


Andreas