21/22nd July 1944 , 142 Squadron RAF .Loss of Wellington Mk X LN808/B Flt Sgt Donelan

[ConorDonelan]

Hello people,

I am looking to find some information about my Grand-Uncle.
He was Flight Sergeant Thomas Donelan.
He was the bomb aimer on the No 142 Sqn Wellington Mk X LN808/B.
From what I've gleaned already they were downed en route to the Fonto Oil Refineries at Paradubice possibly near St Poelten.

Possibly downed by Oblt. Josef Kraft of III/NJG 6.
According to what he noted that it was at 2340 , 14 Ost N/DM-4, 1700m [W.Brod]

But I'm not sure how to read/translate the Luftwaffe area coordinates. Also, I'm wondering if [W.Brod] is west of Brod? Surely not as the only Brod I found was in Bosnia and Herzigovina?

Another nightfighter pilot Oblt Schulte claimed a Wellington at 2400.

I wonder could anyone give me any pointers on how to figure out the 14 Ost N/DM-4 please?

Or (longshot) but is there a database of crash sites in Austria? Was the wreckage of LN808/B ever found? Is there somewhere I could check, or someone to ask?

Any information would be gratefully received!

Happy New Year and thanks for your time

Conor

[COL BRUGGY]

Hello Conor, welcome to the Forum.

Go to: http://www.aviationarchaeology.org.u...sqn_losses.htm - scroll down to 21-22/07/1944 loss. Click on link - go to Post #10 (link to SES's* site) - read thoroughly ("LUMA" etc.).

*Unfortunately, "SES" has now passed on.

Col.

[cozzy711]

Conor
The grid reference 14 Ost N/DM-4 given by Kraft refers to the Jägermeldenetz system and equates to 43°07'30.0"N 15°35'00.0"E which is in the Adriatic Sea approximately 10 miles NW of the island of Svetac, Croatia.
The other claim of a Wellington at 2400 by Schulte gives a quadrant of 14 Ost N/BM-6 which equates to 43°37'30.0"N 15°55'00.0"E which is right on the coast of Croatia near Primošten.

I hope this helps.

Chris

[Argus]

Hello Conor,

I've took a look in the German Luftgaukommando Index Files.

"22 Jul 44 0030 Wellington NNW of Pernitz ME 1686"

This entry fits very well the mentioned location St Poelten, and Austria.

I do not have access to the German ME 1686 file. Maybe other members from this forum can help with this file?

Link to map:

https://i.postimg.cc/nV6Zfk5m/St-P-lten-Pernitz-Map.jpg

Best regards

Finn Buch

[ConorDonelan]

Hi Col,
Thanks for your help. I'd come across this page before
but I didn't realise I could click on the Luma bit!
On we go, thanks again :)

[ConorDonelan]

Hello Argus,
That's brilliant thank you very much.
I will take a look now.
Best wishes

Conor

[ConorDonelan]

Hi Chris,
Thank you very much.
I really appreciate it.
Best wishes

Conor