Secret

From: Sector Intelligence Officer.

R.A.F. Station, Fairwood Common.

To: Headquarters; Fighter Command.

Headquarters; No. 10 Group.

Officer Commanding, Ripperston.

“                  “              125 Squadron.

Date: 18^th February 1943,

REF: FWC/S. 3061/Int.

PERSONAL COMBAT REPORT

IN43/b13/2

 

STATISTICAL

Date.                                                                                (A)         16.2.43.

Unit.                                                                                 (B)         125 (Newfoundland) Squadron.

Type and mark of our Aircraft                                   (C)          Beaufighter MK.VI Mk. IV A.L.

Time attacks were delivered                                     (D)         2210 – 2225.

Place of attack                                                              (E)          Carmarthen Bay – Gower Peninsular Area.

Weather                                                                          (F)          8/10. at 9000’. Vis. Excellent.

Our Casualties – Aircraft                                            (G)         Nil.

Our Casualties – Personnel                                       (H)         Nil.

Enemy Casualties  in air combat                              (J)          2 Do.217’s destroyed.

1 (unidentified) probably destroyed.

1 Do. 217 damaged

Enemy Casualties – ground or sea targets            (K)         Nil

GENERAL REPORT

Jersey 17 P/O. Newton, (New Zealand) pilot, and Sgt. Rose R.O. working with Ripperston G.C.I. on an exercise was informed that a bogey may be coming up. A few minutes later he was given a vector to pursue a bogey travelling at high speed and ahead at 10000 feet. Jersey 17 was at 13000’ and dived down and was able to close in fairly fast owing to advantage of his extra height until a contact was obtained at maximum range dead ahead. Shortly afterwards a visual was obtained of an aircraft skimming away through the top of the thin cloud xlayer and jinking from side to side. No I.F.F. was showing and the a/c had no .rosin lights. The a/c could not be clearly identified through the wisps of cloud. Pilot closed in rapidly keeping slightly lower in the clouds than other a/c. When at 300 yards, return fire from m/g. was experienced which went wide to port. Pilot decided a/c was hostile and gave him a 2 second burst from 300 – 800 yards. A number of strikes and white flashes were seen on engines and fuselage. Another 2 sec. burst was given and more white flashes seen and pieces of flaming material flew off. The e/a was last seen diving downwards to the right and as Beaufighter passed within 100 feet the engines appeared to be on fire with flaming pieces dropping off. The e/a is claimed as probably destroyed.

G.C.I. was informed and a further vector was given for another bogey which was 3 miles ahead. The speed of the e/a  was however too great and G.C.I. advised pilot to abandon chase in favour of other bogeys. A contact was obtained soon after of the two a/e slightly above at 8000 feet passing port to starboard. A visual was obtained almost immediately of two Dorniers passing over 1000 feet  above in loose formation. A short chase brought one to within 300 yards. Jersey 17 selected the one on the right and gave it a 3 sec burst from slightly below. Shells were seen bursting on engines and fuselage. The left hand Dornier turned to port and the starboard machine which is claimed as damaged was left.  Both e/a returned fire which went wide. The port e/a was chased and several bursts of 1 – 2 secs. were fired from behind and below. The e/a immediately caught fire and the fire spread as it circled to the right. Pilot followed him down holding his fire as it was completely in flames. The e/a  was seen by the R.C. to crash into the sea in flames which where it was seen burning in the water. This e/a is claimed as destroyed.

Another vector was then given by G.C.I. which led to a stern chase of a bogey travelling in an easterly direction. After a short chase, a contact was obtained of e/a 1000 – 2000 ft. above. A visual was obtained at 4 – 5000’ and pilot climbed at full throttle and was able to clearly identify it as a Do.217. The a/e was jinking moderately, although not in any particular direction. Jersey 17 fired a long burst from 200 yards from dead behind and slightly below and observed several flashes on port engine and fuselage. The e/a turned to starboard and a further deflection burst was fired from 200 yards. The e/a turned on its side and went down vertically in what appeared an uncontrollable dive with some smoke coming from the engine. Pilot circled steeply to 5000 feet but could see no trace of a/e. The e/a was last seen by R.O. at 3000’ still going down vertically into the sea. This e/a was seen to crash by F/Lt. Barber who was at Gangland Bay at approx. 2230 hrs. 3 – 4 miles South of Mumbles. This a/e is claimed as destroyed.

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