F/L P Henrichsen (128628, RAFVR), 332 (N) Sqn

[Mikkel Plannthin]

On 1 March 1945, F/L Paul (or Poul) Henrichsen (128628, RAFVR) is killed in action during a armed-recco mission from B.79. He is then attached to No. 332 (N) Sqn. More on this at
http://danishww2pilots.dk/pilots.php?id=40

He has no missions in the 332 sqn ORB before 13 Feb 1945, though, which would suggest that he had only recently been attached to this squadron. Furthermore, his promotions from Leading Aircraftman through to Flying Officer appear in the London Gazette which is not normal for the Danes of the Norwegian squadrons.

This leads to the likely conclusion that he was not originally trained in 'Little Norway' and posted to the 331 and 332 sqn.s as was indeed a number of Danes. Instead it seems likely that he had volunteered for the RAFVR.

The only problem is, that I have no idea in which squadrons he might have been before Fed 1945, and the ORB does not provide any infomation.

Any ideas out there?

TIA - and a Happy New Year!

Mikkel Plannthin

[Jaap Vermeer]

Hello Mikkel,

This is what I found ;

1 March 1945,Spitfire MkIX,332 Squadron,crashed near Deventer,railroad
attack,shot down bij FLAK,pilot POW.
No name

For more information about 331 and 332 Norwegian Squadrons;

Rob Moeskops ; rob.wwrt@wanadoo.nl
Alf Johannessen ; alfegil.johannessen@sandefjordbredband.net

In my area there were two Norwegian Pilots crashed;
Oluf Ragnar Wagtskjold and Lauritz Gödo

regards Jaap

[Mikkel Plannthin]

Jaap,
Thanks, this corresponds well with the information from the 332 sqn ORB, since its states that the squadron damages 4 locomotices and several vehichles on this day.

F/L Henrichsen is the only 332 sqn casualty of the day and I guess that this corresponds with his burial in REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY, Kleve.

- Mikkel

[Henk Welting]

Hello Mikkel,
Vol.3 of "2nd TAF" (Shores/Thomas) has MK720/D shot down by a fighter aircraft, estimated time 07.45 hrs.
Two pilots of JG27 claimed Spitfires shot down at this time in the Bocholt - Coesfeld - Mönchengladbach area, while shortly afterwards Uffz Günther Rey of 14./JG26 claimed another, also in the Mönchengladbach area.
Henrichsen being buried in the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery near Kleve, Germany, may have been shot down in the Bocholt - Coesfeld area. Shot down in the Mönchengladbach area would mean that his reburial after the hostilities might have been in the Rheinberg War Cemetery.
Henrichsen's unit was not based at B.79 Woensdrecht (NL), however on B.85 Schijndel (NL); he took off 07.15 hrs and was shot down about 30 minutes later (short distance between Schijndel and Bocholt).
Regards,
Henk.

[Mikkel Plannthin]

Thanks, Henk. I actually had the 2TAF vol 3 in my hands yesterday, but because of my lack of knowlegde of geography in this area I did not link the JG27 claims to Henrichsen. The volume states 'sdbf', though, which according to the abbreviations is shot down by flak.

I have now had a chance to look a a map. Is it likely that a German claim in the Bocholt - Coesfeld area would go down in Deventer? As I see it its a distance of some 100+ kilometers. Just a thought.

Jaap, what is the source of your information? Just currious.

Thanks, again

Mikkel

[Henk Welting]

Mikkel,
For me Deventer is too far north for then homebase and target area.
Go to http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/featur...enter/map.aspx and write down Schijndel, than click on World Atlas and you'll see Schijndel and Bocholt on same map.
Regards,
Henk.

[Knut Larsson]

Hei Mikkel


I have now looked into the lists of Scandinavian pilots who were trained by the Norwegians in "Little Norway", Canada. I can confirm that F/L Paul Henrichsen indeed was not sent to this school before joining 332 SQN.

I have heard, unconfirmed, that he before joining the Norwegians was promoted to F/L in a RAF fighter squadron, most likely flying Spitfire. Who I do not know.

This day 14./JG 26, with Uffz. Rey was looking for fighter-bambers when they were attacked by 25-30 Spitfires probably near Dortmund. Uffz. Rey claimed one of them but lost Uffz Friedrich in this air combat. The Norwegians reportet no contact with the Jagdwaffe this day so you can rule out Uffz. Rey. See War Diary JG26 by D.Cakdwell.

I also very much doubt the JG 27 claims had something to do with F/L Henrichsen.

Regards

Knut Larsson

www.rafandluftwaffe.info

[Mikkel Plannthin]

Thanks, Knut.

Excellent information. According to the ORB he was downed ny flak so no surprise if it does not correspond with a German a/c victory.

- Mikkel