Sunderland vs. eight Ju 88's

[Vassili Zaitzev]

man, the sunderland taking out 6 JU-88's is amazing, thanks for the post.

[Njaco]

November 21, 1943 - 25 He 177s of II./KG 40 took off to attack the Allied convoy "SL139 / MKS30". 20 aircraft attacked the convoy at 17.00 hours with 40 HS 293s from between 400 and 600m. One ship, the "Delius" was hit and set on fire and another ship, the "Marsa" was sunk. During the attack, a Coastal Command Liberator from 224 Sqdn arrived from an Anti-U-Boat patrol and not only interrupted the attack but took on the bombers with its own defensive guns, forcing the bombers to flee for home. The attack was also thwarted by heavy AA fire from the ship escorts. The crew of Oblt. von Berg from 5./KG 40 were reported missing with 2 bodied later recovered, while 5 of the crew of Ofw. Freyer, belonging to 4./KG 40 were killed in a crash at St. Christoly.

[RATHED]

Originally Posted by comiso90

... does anybody have any other examples where multi-engine aircraft fight off attackers with memorable style?

Well, on the night of 15/16 March of 1944 a Lancaster from No. 617 was on a mission to bomb Metz when it was attacked by 3 Me-110 night fighters.

The rear gunner on the Lancaster was Flight Sergent T. J. McLeans, a scot in his second tour who already had five kill to his credit at that point. He was using his favorite mix of 45% tracer and 55% armour piercing instead the regular mix whit would also contain ball and incediary. The Lancaster was hit, but not seriously, and McLeans shot down all the 3 attackers.

At leats this is the information I get from 'Great Aircraft of WWII", by Alfred Spice and Mike Spick...

Regards

[net_sailor]

There was famous combat of single Wellington from 304 (Polish) Sqn on 16th September 1942 over Biskay Bay. The Wellington was carrying out antisubmarine patrol when was intercepted by six (!) Ju 88C. One of them was shoot down and another calimed as probably destroyed by Polish gunners. Rest Germans flew away when pilot hided a/c in the clouds. Welington got about 40 hits (the most dangerous were holes in fuel tanks and oil ducts) but there were no injures. The a/c landed after 8 hours and 20 minutes in the air.

Another Polish story, the Wellington vs four Ju 88 on February 9, 1943:
February 9

[Negative Creep]

On a smaller scale, but just as remarkable, are the 3 Avro Ansons who were attacked by 9 109s. They shot down 2, damaged a third and forced the rest to break off Avro Anson - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Njaco]

June 14, 1942 - In the evening Italian Fiat CR 42s were out to attack the cruiser HMS "Liverpool" from the Operation "Vigoruous" convoy sailing to Malta. The cruiser ws escorted by a Gibraltar-based Catalina from RAF No. 240 Sqdn, which had been diverted from its anti-submarine duties and ordered to escort the damaged cruiser. At 17.05 hrs, the Catalina was attacked by 4 CR 42s but F/O Riddy skillfully maneuvered his lumbering flyingboat, enabling his gunners to repel repeated attacks. Nonetheless, Sergente Renato Casalini carried out a number of determined attacks, gaining strikes on the flyingboat's hull and slightly wounding the W/T operator.

[Heinz]

The above stories about the Lancaster, Wellington and Avro Ansons have made me rather stunned.

Its funny the kills by gunners on RAF bomber isn't as apparent as the USAAF bombers.

[Njaco]

I know the thread is old but this was something just found.

July 30, 1943 - While patrolling to the north of Corsica, a B-26 Marauder of No. 14 Sqdn RAF based in Egypt and piloted by Group Captain Dick Maydwell encountered a German Me 323, six-engined transport aircraft flying unescorted low over the sea. He maneuvered his B-26 to allow his gunners to open fire and three engines were set on fire. The massive aircraft, described by Maydwell's navigator as looking like "a block of flats", crash landed on the shore. The crew escaped unhurt and Maydwell held his fire.

[Glider]

One example that I always found interesting was over the Bay of Biscay on the 15th August 1943. A Halifax V towing a Horsa glider was intercepted by 12 Ju88C. Four climbed to give fighter protection in case of Beaufighters interupted (they were known to be around) and 8 attacked. The Horsa released the cable and ditched and the Halifax evaded for around 15 mins until it reached cloud. In that time it suffered a fair amount of damage to its right wing but damaged two of the Ju88's who had to leave the battle after being hit in the engine.
It should be remembered that the Halifax V only had one turret in the rear.

[Njaco]

I find these large plane battles amazing. Having an airplane do something it was not designed to do, i.e. dogfight, must've been something to see.

[Heinz]

It is quite awe inspiring when you try and think about it.....

[comiso90]

Originally Posted by Njaco

I find these large plane battles amazing. Having an airplane do something it was not designed to do, i.e. dogfight, must've been something to see.

Me too. I'd like to see "Dogfights" re-create some..

[Njaco]

Perfect show to try that!! Just watched "Kamikazi".

[comiso90]

Originally Posted by Njaco

I know the thread is old but this was something just found.

July 30, 1943 - While patrolling to the north of Corsica, a B-26 Marauder of No. 14 Sqdn RAF based in Egypt and piloted by Group Captain Dick Maydwell encountered a German Me 323, six-engined transport aircraft flying unescorted low over the sea. He maneuvered his B-26 to allow his gunners to open fire and three engines were set on fire. .

The 323 had a few guns of it's own too. I wonder if they scored any hits:

Armament:
Five MG 15 mounted in nose mounts
Six Mg 34 infantry MG's in beam windows

Luftwaffe Resource Page - Messerschmitt Me 323

cool vid:

YouTube - Me323 Gigant

.

[Aggie08]

I remember one story, a B-17 who got real cozy with a big Japanese flying boat- can't remember which one. The two shot the hell out of each other, but I think the Fort won. I'm sure someone can elaborate.