504 Sqn, 22 April 1944

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Hello,

On 22 April 1944 the Ju 188 F-1 WNr 280215 A6+PH of 1.(F)/120 disappeared with its whole crew during a reconnaissance flight from Sola to Thurso Bay, Scotland.

Crew (all lost):
Uffz. Günter Poltrock (pilot)
Uffz. Walter Przybyllok (observer)
Obgfr. Heinz Schwind (radio)
Uffz. Herbert Schönfeld (flight engineer)

Source:
http://www.rafandluftwaffe.info/luftwaffe1.html
http://www.luftwaffe.no/SIG/Losses/tap43.html

I checked the Fighter Command War Diaries book for this date and it saids that a pair of patrolling Spitfire pilots found a Ju 88 south-east of Ronaldsway Island, which they claimed to have destroyed. The summary table below list one claim for a destroyed for 501 Sqn, the only SPitfire claim for the day.

Problem is that there is no combat report for this day for 501 Sqn, and it was based in Kent, so the probability of an interception off Scotland is remote. On the other hand, the combat reports of two pilots of 504 Sqn, Flg Off Waslyk and Flt Sgt Thorne, on 22 april 1944 are available on the National Archives (but not free). And 504 was based then in Scotland, so I guess the 501 in the FCWD book is a typo.

Can someone confirm this and give me the full names of the involved pilots ?

Thanks in advance

[COL BRUGGY]

Hello,

The 501 Sqn reference in FCWD4/268, was a typo, which Foreman saw fit to correct (to 504 Sqn), a decade later in his RAF Fighter Command Victory Claims of World War Two. Part Three. 1 July 1943 - 8 May 1945/p.95.

A little on 504's F/O Waslyk:

Canadian Fg Off Jimmy Waslyk, from Toronto, scored 504's first and only Diver kill (Monday 24 July, 1944), he also shared in shooting down a Ju88 while with 504 Squadron. James Waslyk was posted to Italy where he joined 417(RCAF) Squadron and was killed in action, on 20/1/1945.

See:
Diver! Diver! Diver!
Cull,Brian with Bruce Lander.
London:Grub Street,2008
pp.227 & 445(fn.137)

http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2223440/

Col.

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Thanks a lot Col

[COL BRUGGY]

Hello,

l neglected to add that the F/Sgt Thorne you mention in your initial posting, was in fact, James Neale THORNE RAFVR (Later 175902 P/O DFC + 10/9/1944). You will find a bio in Chris Shores' Aces High p.587. Thorne also rates a couple of mentions in Gifts of War/Sturtivant & Boot/pp.94 & 296.

Col