A few queries about details of two V-1 shoot downs

**wwrsimon** · 16th February 2021, 18:43

Hello everyone

On August 25th 1944, Robert Clive Stockburn of 501 Sqn shot down a V-1 'Diver' near Rye in Tempest EJ599 SD-W. The Combat Report reads:

I was on patrol under Wartling Control at 06.12 hours I saw a Diver held by S/Ls near Rye. It was on a course of 320 degrees at 370 m.p.h. at 3,000 feet. I fire several bursts closing in from a range of 800 to 300 yards and saw strikes on the wing. The Diver lost height rapidly – I lost sight of it going into the balloons as I swerved to avoid them. The R.O.C. confirms that a Diver crashed at R.1755 at 06.16 hours.

Can anyone tell where R.1755 is?

Then on October 25th 1944 he shot down another in Tempest 'SD-U' (no code in the ORB), and the Combat Report for this one reads:

I was patrolling A and N under Trimley Control when I saw a concentration of A.A. Diver came through very low on course 250º. I closed in and fired a number of short bursts. I noticed that the propelling unit was emitting flames from the side. Continued firing and Diver continued course. I broke away as Diver went through into low cloud. On emerging from cloud the Diver passed through the call off line and almost immediately exploded in mid air at a height of 500 feet at 19.40 hours.

Can anyone give a possible ID for SD-U? Secondly, what is the 'call off line' - is it something to do with the balloon barrage, or with anti-aircraft gun defences? Finally, and what is meant by 'patrolling A and N'?

Many thanks

Simon

**COL BRUGGY** · 16th February 2021, 19:40

Simon,

Bob Stockburn claimed two (2) V-1s on 25/26 October, 1944:

501 Squadron's Flt Lt Clive Birbeck (EJ598) scored a Diver kill just before midnight, while on the following night (25/26 October), Flt Lt Bob Stockburn (EJ558/SD-U)* brought down two, and Jackson Robb (EJ555/SD-Y) another; this was Robb's 13th and final kill.(p.351)

Night 25-26/10/44 (5 V-1s destroyed by fighters)
Sqn Ldr M. Mansfeld (Cz)/ - Mosquito XVII MM683 68 Sqn V-1
Flt Lt S.A. Janacek (Cz) (Nav)
Ltn F. Peebles USN/ - Mosquito XVII HK344 68 Sqn V-1
Ens D. Grinndal (USN) Nav)
Flt Lt R.C. Stockburn - Tempest V SD-U* 501 Sqn 2 V-1
Flt Lt R.L.T.Robb - Tempest V SD-Y 501 Sqn V-1 (p.425)

* I have some reservations about the individual letter of EJ558. I have seen it identified elsewhere as EJ558:SD-R:
http://norton.co.uk/images/products/...4-67152200.jpg

Brian identifies Bud Miller's (USAAF) Tempest V on 24-25 September 1944 (p.340), as Tempest V EJ583:SD-R!! Conversely, you will find an excellent shot of 501 Sqn Tempest V EJ558:SD-R**, on p.46 of Dave Watkins' & Phil Listemann's, No.501 (County of Gloucester) Squadron 1939-1945. Hurricane, Spitfire, Tempest/RAF in Combat/Listemann/2007.

** Source: IWM FLM3111.

Best ask Brian Cull where he obtained that information (EJ558:SD-U).

See:
Diver! Diver! Diver!
Cull,Brian & Brian Lander.
London:Grub Street,2008.
pp.340, 351 & 425.

Col.

**bvs** · 17th February 2021, 08:53

Hi Simon
I would imagine that the 'Call Off Line' would be the geographical line at the limit of Aircraft Interceptions of 'Divers' and where responsibility for shoot downs passed to Anti Aircraft Guns.

**ianh** · 17th February 2021, 09:10

"A and N" perhaps Ashford and Newchurch? A short north-south patrol line?
Course 250 deg for the V-1 seems unusual: sort of WSW. ?

Although 250 deg might tie-in with it 'coming through' a N-S patrol line.

**bvs** · 17th February 2021, 09:43

The Pilot did mention 'Trimley Control' for the 250deg interception - if that is a reference to Trimley Heath Radar which was sited between Felixtowe and Ipswich - that might explain the 250deg track of the V1.

**ianh** · 17th February 2021, 09:56

Fair point, bvs. I wondered where Trimley might be based.
Any obvious "A and N" locations in that area?

**bvs** · 17th February 2021, 10:03

Hi Ian
There is an 'N' just to the north of trimley heath,I will have a look later.
I was wondering if it might have been an Air Launched V1 from an He111 over the N Sea.

**bvs** · 17th February 2021, 10:09

Alton Water - Nacton ?or
Alton Water - Newborne ?

Perhaps ????

If they were just simply using a geographical feature or town name as the patrol points ?

**bvs** · 17th February 2021, 10:12

There is also Ardleigh down near Colchester.

**wwrsimon** · 17th February 2021, 10:47

Many thanks indeed for all the replies everyone, much appreciated.

And a thanks to Col for the Tempest details. Looks like I should be getting a copy of Diver! Diver! Diver! - I've a few local airmen who scored well on Diver patrols, so it sounds like it's worth getting.

Regards

Simon