HEADQUARTERS
VIII BOMBER COMMAND
 
E.T.O.
  
 
A.P.O. 634
 
     
ANALYSIS OF ENEMY AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED; OPERATIONS No. 14 - 21 OCTOBER, 1942.
     
 
GROUP 97   ................................MISSION:     LORIENT SUBMARINE PENS.
     
PART I.   ENEMY AIRCRAFT CLAIMED DESTROYED, PROBABLY DESTROYED OR DAMAGED.
     
PART II.   TABULATED REPORT ON DISTANCES AT WHICH ENEMY INTERCEPTOR AIRCRAFT WERE DESTROYED, PROBABLY DESTROYED OR DAMAGED.
     
PART III.   TABULATED REPORT ON ENEMY INTERCEPTOR TACTICS AGAINST B-17F BOMBERS.
     

_ _ _ _ _ _
     
     
     
     
Date:     27 October, 1942.
 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

 

 
 

   
PART I.
 
  ANALYSIS OF ENEMY AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERS  
     
 

MISSION:     LORIENT SUBMARINE PENS

                              21 October 1942
DESTROYED
PROBABLES
DAMAGED
ENCOUNTER
 No. 1

Gp. Sq.

 Plane Place Time Alt.

E/A Type

 Obs'ved to Crash Went Down in Flames Disin-tegrated Crew Bailed Out Went down out of control Smo'kg Heavily Went down Smo'kg Hits Obs'vd   No. rounds or bursts
97 378-M 1st Vic Ldr. Ile de Batz 1244 14500 4 FW190
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
 E/A attacked from 7 o'clock diving from 100 yd. above, coming up under. BG fired at 800 yd, leading E/A burst into smoke, then flame along fuselage. TG confirms; also credits BG of A/C 414 hitting same E/A. (This E/A credited to A/C 392 below.) 4 bursts
97 343-D 1st Vic r.Wing Fr.Coast vicinity; on route in. 1245 15500 1 FW190 same element
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
 E/A came in from 3-4 o'clock, above, flying past at 500 yd, MG fired, saw tracers enter E/A near cockpit. E/A circled ahead, returning level at 9 o'clock. Other A/C also fired on E/A which glided down smoking badly. 20 rds. approx.
97 414-W 1st Vic 1.Wing 7 Mi SSW Ile de Batz 1245 15500 1 FW190 same element
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
 E/A attacked from 7 o'clock above. L.WG fired at this yellow bellied E/A at 600 yd. E/A passed under. No hits seen. 4 bursts
97 442-K 2nd Vic 1.Wing Nevez vicinity 1257 17700 1 FW190
.
.
.
.
.
.
1
 E/A attacked from 8 o'clock level. 4 gunners fired 800-400 yd as E/A banked away in glide. (Claimed hit by 373-T also.) 90 rds. Approx.
97 415-Q 2nd Vic 1.Wing Sizun; Just W 1248 15000 1 FW190
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
 E/A came in from 6 o'clock above. ?G opened fire at 800 yd. E/A broke off attack smoking. Other A/C also fired at this E/A.  
 
     
     

 

 
 

   

MISSION:     LORIENT
DESTROYED
PROBABLES
DAMAGED
ENCOUNTER
 No. 2

GP Sq.

 Plane Place Time Alt.

E/A Type

 Obs'ved to Crash Went Down in Flames Disin-tegrated Crew Bailed Out Went down out of control Smo'kg Heavily Went down Smo'kg Hits Obs'vd   No. rounds or bursts
97 437-E 3rd Vic Ldr. 10 MI SE Quimper 1255 16500 1 FW190
.
.
.
.
.
1
.
 E/A approached from 6 o'clock level. TG fired at 500 yd. Thick black smoke poured out from engine. 3 burst approx.
" 382-M 3rd Vic r.Wing Fr.Coast vicinity; on route in. 1245 15500 1 Me109
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
 E/A came in from 6 o'clock level. TG opened fire at 500 yd. At 300 yd. tracers entered cockpit and fuselage; E/A went down spinning and smoking. 150-200 rds.
" " En route to target 1247 15500 1 Me109
.
1
.
.
.
.
.
 E/A came in at 6 o'clock high. WG and top TG fired. At 300 yd E/A was enveloped in flames and fell. 100 rds. Approx. by WG
" " 5 MI S Ile de Batz ? 1248 13500 1 Me109
.
.
.
.
1
.
.
 E/A came in at 5 o'clock below. BG fired. E/A first hit at 900-600 yd. broke away in steep dive, pouring heavy smoke.  
" 373-T 3rd Vic 1.Wing 10-15 MI SW Morlaix 1250 17000 1 Me109
.
.
.
.
.
.
1
 E/A banked to attack at 9 o'clock. WG,BG opened fire at 600 yd. Glass & fragments flew from cockpit. E/A descended in steep dive trailing light smoke.  
" " Quimper vicinity 1300 17000 1 FW190
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
 E/A came in at 5:30 o'clock. TG fired at 700 yd. Tracers entered center of fuselage and E/A banked to break off action. (Same E/A claimed by 442-K)  
     
     

 

 
 

   

MISSION:     LORIENT
DESTROYED
PROBABLES
DAMAGED
ENCOUNTER
 No. 3

GP Sq.

 Plane Place Time Alt.

E/A Type

 Obs'ved to Crash Went Down in Flames Disin-tegra-ted Crew Bailed Out Went down out of control Smoking Heavily Went down Smo'kg Hits Obs'vd   No. rounds or bursts
97 392-P 4th Vic Ldr. Ile de Batz vicinity 1243 15000 4 FW190 same E/A reported by 378
.
1
.
.
.
1
.
 E/A came in at 6 o'clock level. TG fired at 650 yd. E/A closed to 250 yd. hits in engine caused flames, smoke which spread along fuselage. E/A cocked up on r.wing, hesitated, fell off afire. 125 rds.
97 " " 1244 15000 1 FW190 same form'n
.
.
1
.
.
.
.
 E/A attacked at 4 o'clock, above 300 ft. Top TG fired at 400 yd. E/A disintegrated. WG, Top, TG of 400 r.wing, also fired at this E/A. Destruction confirmed by WG and Radio Op. 50 rds.
97 " " 1244 15000 1 FW190 same
.
1
.
.
.
.
.
 E/A came in at from 7 o'clock 500 ft above. L.WG fired at 650 yd. E/A burst into flames round engine cowling & black smoke enveloped it in front. E/A nosed down in spin. L.WG 376 fired also at E/A. 125 rds.
97 " " 1245 15000 1 FW190 same form'n
.
.
1
.
.
.
.
 E/A attacked at 4 o'clock level. R.WG fired at 450 yd. E/A closed to 250 yd, broke up with pieces flying from engine cowling. E/A fell with prop stopped, spinning and pouring smoke. 50 rds.
97 373-F 4th Vic L.wing " 1244 16000 1 FW190
.
.
.
.
1
.
.
 E/A came in from 6 o'clock above TG,WG, top TG fired at 800 yd. E/A closed to within 100 yd. E/A lost speed, passing close, pilot not visible, taking no evasive action prior to going in uncontrolled spin. 250 rds. (1 m/g only)
97 " " 1245 16000 1 FW190
.
.
1
.
.
.
.
 E/A came in at 6 o'clock above. then 7 o'clock below. TG,BG fired and hit E/A at 200-300 yd. E/A fell off in flames, going down in glide. A/C392 & 400 also fired at this E/A. 250-275 rds. Approx.
     
     

 

 
 

   

MISSION:     LORIENT
DESTROYED
PROBABLES
DAMAGED
ENCOUNTER
 No. 4

GP Sq.

 Plane Place Time Alt.

E/A Type

 Obs'ved to Crash Went Down in Flames Disintegrated Crew Bailed Out Went down out of control Smoking Heavily Went down Smok'g Hits Obs'vd   No. rounds or bursts
97 376-P 4th Vic 1.wing Mainland S. of Coast 1247 16000 1 FW190 dupl.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
 EA came in at 6 o'clock level. E/A hit at 600 yd, then fell apart in flames. TG fired, most of crew EA break apart. (Tho't to be same EA claimed by 413) 300 rds. Approx.
97 417-O 5th Vic r.wing At Roseoff 1244 16000 1 FW190
.
1
.
.
.
.
.
 E/A came in at 4:30 o'clock WG fired at 400yd and EA seen to descend in flames 3 bursts
97 " 5 min. after crossing Fr. Coast     1 FW190
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
 EA came in at 6:30 o'clock Rad/g fired at 400 yd. EA turned into spin with black smoke issuing, No claim. 10 rds.
97 " La Feuillee 1250 16000 1 FW190
.
1
.
.
.
.
.
 EA came in at 5 o'clock below. TG fired and EA seen to fall in flames 6 bursts
97 "
?
 1257 16000 1 FW190
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
 EA attacked at 9 o'clock, Rad/g fired WG. EA came from behind 6 o'clock. TG fired and EA went into flat spin. No claim.  
97 413-B 5th Vic 1.wing Commana vicinity 1250 16500 1 FW190
.
.
1
.
.
.
.
 EA came in at 6 o'clock level. TG fired as EA closed from 600-400 yd. EA wing seen to break up and fall in pieces. Other AC may have fired at this EA  
     
     

 

 

 
 

   

MISSION:     LORIENT
DESTROYED
PROBABLES
DAMAGED
ENCOUNTER
 No. 5

GP Sq.

 Plane Place Time Alt.

E/A Type

 Obs'vd to Crash Went Down in Flames Disintegrated Crew Bailed Out Went down out of control Went down Smok'g Hits Obsv'd   No. rounds or bursts
97 413-B 5th Vic 1.wing Quimper vicinity 1255 18000 1 FW190
.
.
.
.
1
.
.
 EA came in at 6 o'clock level. BG fired at EA closed from 500-50 yd. EA broke off in steep dive, smoking heavily. (This EA came in emitting smoke from damage sustained in previous attack on B-17 in rear element) 30 rds. Approx.
97 343-D 1st Vic r.wing Mid-Channel (return) 1345 10000 2 FW190 same EA as above
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
 E/A came in at 6 o'clock below. TG, BG, L.WG fired. No claims 60 rds.
97 370-G Off French coast; return 1344 15000 3 FW190
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
 EA came in at 6 o'clock level. TG fired at 800 yd. Following Vic all fired at same EA; 1 fell flaming; 1 broke off action; 1 fell out of control. No claims from 370-G.  
97 406-S 5th Vic Leader 5 mi. E. Isle de Batz (approx) 1345 17000 1 FW190 same EA as above
1
.
.
.
.
.
.
 EA (yellow-bellied) came in at 6 o'clock level. TG fired at 700-300 yd. Tracers entered at 600 yd. EA went down at 300 flaming. Bomb'r saw EA crash. AC 417, 413 also fired at same EA.  
97 413-B 5th 1.wing
Mid-Channel. (approx)

1320

?

6000

?

 2 FW190
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
 EA attacked at 6 o'clock level, closing from 500-200 yd. TG.BG. fired; 1 EA went in steep dive, smoking heavily; 1 disappeared. Other AC may have fired at these EA 40 rds. approx

TOTALS..........................................................................23 (approx)

DESTROYED.............................10

PROBABLY DESTROYED.........4

DAMAGED..................................3

TOTAL.......................................17
1
5
4
.
4
1
2

27 October, 1942

HQ. VIII BOMBER COMMAND.		  
     
     

 

 
 

   
PART II     (LORIENT, 21 October 1942)              PART III     (LORIENT, 21 October 1942)
 
 
DISTANCES EA WERE DESTROYED, PROBABLY DESTROYED OR DAMAGED
   ENEMY INTERCEPTION TACTICS
RANGE (Yards)
DESTROYED
PROBABLY DESTROYED
DAMAGED
TOTALS
.
CLOCK DIRECTION
ANGLE OF ATTACK
TOTAL ENCOUNTERS
HIGH
ABOVE
LEVEL
BELOW
LOW
UNK'N
100
.
1
.
1
.
4:00
1F
.
1F
.
.
.
2
250
3
1
.
4
.
4:30
.
.
.
.
.
1F
1
300
2
1
.
3
.
5:00
.
.
.
2F
.
.
2
400
3
.
1
4
.
5:30
.
.
.
.
.
1F
1
500
.
.
1
1
.
6:00
1M
3F
14F,1M
2F
.
1F
22
600
.
.
1
1
.
6:30
.
.
.
.
.
1F
1
650
1
.
.
1
.
7:00
1F
1F
.
5F
.
.
7
750
.
1
.
1
.
8:00
.
.
1F
.
.
.
1
Unknown
1
.
.
1
.
9:00
.
.
.
1M
.
1F
2
TOTALS
10
4
3
17
.
TOTAL ENCOUNTERS
3
4
17
10
.
5
39