Blenheim V6396, lost ?

[Martin Gleeson]

Hallo all,

I am looking for help to clarify the date and circumstances of the loss of V6396. All sources agree it was with 21 Squadron RAF at the time of its loss.

Bill Chorley and Graham Warner both suggest it was lost on 1 July 1941 on a sortie to Kiel (pilot F/L Waples). Apparently by flak over Kiel.
Theo Boiten in BLENHEIM STRIKE and the Air-Britain T1000-V9999 aircraft serial register both state it was lost attacking shipping in the North Sea on 23 July 1941 (pilot S/L Cooper).

Can anyone please clarify this ?

Regards,

Martin Gleeson.

[Amrit]

The 2nd edition of Warner states:

1st July - V6396 shot down by flak while bombing ships in Kiel Canal
S/L H Cooper DFC POW


23rd July - V6197 shot down by flak ship , crashed into sea off Holland during attack on tanker
F/Lt H Waples DFC killed

The CWGC also has Waples on this date

A

[Argus]

Hello Martin,

From the NARA Archive I have details from the German Index Files:

1 Jul 41 Bristol Blenheim - Hochdonn 103483

1 Jul 41 Bristol Blenheim - Near Hochdonn near the Kaiser Wilhelm Canal 103715

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Hochdonn is situated in Dithmarschen, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, with the coordinates 54° 2' 0" North, 9° 17' 0" East.

---------

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hochdonn

Regards

Finn Buch

[Martin Gleeson]

Hallo Amrit and Finn,

Firstly my apologies for mixing up the pilots. Moral: don't write in haste.
Yes Waples was KIA on 23-7-1941 while Cooper became a POW on 1-7-1941.

Finn, I presume both reports refer to the same Blenheim as only one was lost ? Would anyone have these reports or know if they contain a serial number ? Failing this is it possible to order copies from NARA ?

Many thanks,

Martin.

[Argus]

Hello Martin,

Yes, it is the same Blenheim. This is references to the German reports.

Kaiser Wilhelm Canal is equal to the Kiel Canal. As you can see, the crashsite is situated near the outlet of the channel. The inlet is the Kiel Bight (Fiord) with the connection to the Baltic Sea.

Order copies....it's a long story, already discussed here, so I will draw your attention to the old threads explained by Rod:

http://www.rafcommands.com/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=show_thread&om=7096&forum=DCForumID 6

http://www.rafcommands.com/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=show_thread&om=8282&forum=DCForumID 6


Regards

Finn Buch

[Martin Gleeson]

Many thanks Finn,

I will check them out.

Regards,

Martin.

[Martin Gleeson]

Finn,

No matter what I try I cannot open or find the two links you show below. Is there any way you can post them on this thread, or send them to me via PM, or suggest some other avenue ?

Many thanks,

Martin.

[dennis_burke]

Do they not work by just copy and paste them into the address bar? They worked for me just now.

or search in google for: "Hali LL558" site:rafcommands.com
for the first link

and "2h48 Kalmduin" site:rafcommands.com
for the second thread, those are two phrases from each of the threads

[Martin Gleeson]

Dennis,

You are a life saver ! It works fine ....when one does it correctly ! My tecnical incompetence is revealed once more.

Many thanks,

Martin.

[jossleclercq]

hello Martin,

I have 6 pages of the ORB of No. 21 Squadron for June 1941, and one page for July (the first half of the month, form 540). The latter is not very helpful as it goes only to 13th July, but if you need them, just ask (you have my e-mail address).

The form 540 for the 1st of July merely states : "six aircraft of 21 Squadron were detailed to carry out low level attack on shipping in Kiel Canal (Ops 674). Task abandoned due to unfavourable weather. (D202). Appendix "A""

The loss of a crew is not even mentioned. Alas I don't have the form 541.

On 28th June 1941, for the Comines power station raid, COOPER was flying '6396', whose individual letter was 'W'. F/Sgts ROBERSTON and SIMPSON were flying with him. Same crew and same plane on 27th June (Lille-Fives), SIMPSON was replaced by F/Sgt ADDISON, same Blenheim, on 23rd June (Chocques).

Hope this helps.

Joss