Claim of German Ju 88 on 29/7-42

[soren]

Hi
On 29/7-42 a German Ju 88 was lost along with the crew of four. Rudolf Pilz was washed ashore in Denmark. I have been advised that it was claimed by a pair of Whirlwinds of 137 Sqn.
Can anyone support me with the report/story of what happened ?
I have the details of the german aircraft and crew and am looking for information from the British side for my site and will offcause give credit.

[davew]

Soren,

John Foreman's ' RAF Fighter Command Victory Claims of WW2' (Part 2) records the loss of a Ju88 off Happisburgh, Norfolk on this date at 20.50 hours. Credited as shared between two Hurricanes of 137 Squadron piloted by JR Rebbetoy and L O'Neil. The serial numbers are not mentioned.

Foreman's 'Fighter Command War Diaries' adds that 137 Squadron Hurricanes were on shipping patrols.

However there is a fly in the ointment in that Rawlings' 'Fighter Command Squadrons and their Aircraft' states that 137 was equipped with Whirlwinds until June 1943, being replaced by Hurricanes then. Something is a year out!

regards

DaveW

[NiallC]

Soren

They were indeed Whirlwinds – on the last of 5 convoy escort patrols flown by pairs of 137 Squadron aircraft that day.

James Rebbetoy (RCAF), Whirlwind P7058
Flt Sgt Hugh O’Neill, Whirlwind P7005

Combat report:
2 Whirlwinds 137 Sqn Red Section, Red 1 Rebbetoy, Red 2 O’Neill, took off to patrol convoy “Ribald” at 2020 and landed at Matlaske 2115. At 2047 hrs 15 miles NE of Happisburgh on vector 115 degrees, Red 1 at 1500 ft and Red 2 at 200 ft, Red 2 sighted an 88 coming across in front 200 yards away from port to starboard. Red 2 informed Red 1 that 88 was to starboard and red 1 immediately banked to starboard and immediately recognised 88 which was climbing about 300 yards away. EA then turned to port followed by red 1 who gave a 1 second burst allowing 1.5 rings deflection from 250 yards. No results observed, red 1 broke away to starboard and Red 2 who had climbed to 3000 feet now saw EA turning towards him 250 yards away and 50 feet above. He gave a 2 second burst allowing 1 ring deflection and saw strikes on nose of e/a and shells passing underneath. He broke away and e/a dived to port down to down to 2000 feet turned to starboard and started to climb again very steeply followed by our section. Red 1 gave a 1 second burst from 100 yards range from 30 degrees starboard astern allowing ¾-1 ring deflection seeing red flashes on starboard motor and fuselage and e/a turned to port. Red 1 broke away directly underneath aircraft and red 2 came in the on the port side and gave two short bursts from 250 yards astern 30 degrees to port, height 4000 ft, observing no results. Red 1 saw tracer just skimming underneath plane, Ju 88 continued to climb steeply and Red 1 gave a 2 second burst from 100 yards dead astern closing to 50 yards., finishing his ammo and seeing strikes underneath aircraft on starboard engine EA then dived very steeply to port white smoke pouring from the starboard engine and levelled off at sea level. Red 2 finished his ammo from 100 ft above and continued firing cine gun. Red 2 on port and Red 1 on starboard side followed e/a for 15 miles and saw Ju 88 jettison bombs. Red 1 told controller to send out another section and continued to transmit fixes. Flames now appeared under starboard wing of Ju 88 which hit the sea bursting into flames. Film was taken of this. A yellow dinghy was seen upside down but no sign of survivors. Section now returned to base, red 1 on one engine RPMs being down. Heavy return fire experienced from top gun and once from lower. JU88 shot down 25 miles ENE of Happisburgh. Red 2 had one hit on nose of his a/c. Claim one 88 destroyed shared. Weather: heavy mist, 6/10 cloud, base 8000 to 10,000 ft. Visibility 1-2 miles. Cine guns exposed by both pilots. TOA 2047

HTH
Niall

[soren]

Thank you very much. I found the 137 ORB on NAA but were not able to get the combat report on line. The NAA system reported failure.
So this is what I have got so far. I will add Niall`s Combat report.

[COL BRUGGY]

Hello,

Rebbetoy Combat Report - http://discovery.nationalarchives.go...ils/r/D7443067

O'Neill Combat Report - http://discovery.nationalarchives.go...ils/r/D7443068

Col.

[soren]

Gentlemen
Thank you for your assistance. I shall ask my wife webmaster to update.