Tip and run tactics against V1's

[en830]

I'm looking for details on tipping V1's by using the wing tip of a pursuing fighter aircraft. I have seen reference to this somewhere and a picture of a Spitfire going through the motions, but can't find out when this first occurred, who was the first pilot to do so or who were the first units to perfect this tactic.
Can anyone help ?

Don't know the pilot or the squadron, but the technique was to place the fighter's wing under that of the V bomb, then slowly raise the wing until the airstream over the wing disrupted the bombs flight, sending it off course. The fighter and bomb never actually touched.
This was a very successful technique until the Germans figured it out and installed a gyro trigger in the bombs, which when the bomb tipped exploded it instantly, blasting the fighter apart. After this standing orders were to shoot down all V bombs from a distance.

[Kyt]

post no longer valid

[sapper]

Yes I have witnessed it first hand, as well as the allies and the Enemy in the Caen area.

The Doodle Bug.

On its way back.

I know it's silly what we remember, some things that really are of no consequence at all, but for some reason we recall everything about that incident, in this case, because it was so bizarre. We were on high ground to the North of the City of Caen, That battle scared area I have always looked on as the ‘Killing Ground’ This was the high ground to in front of Caen, here whe we could look out over the channel, the site was incredible, I must admit to just standing looking at the thousands of ships of every description, spread as far as the eye could see, it looked as though it would be possible to walk back to England from ship to ship. I still have a clear picture of that view. What we saw next was a bit of pure theatre, a Buzz bomb, Doodle bug! came throbbing overhead, heading straight for England Half the battle field stopped what they were doing (both German and Allies) to watch this bit of entertainment, no one fired at it, and as it approached the coast a spitfire dived on it at high speed and tipped its wing, loud cheers from the thousands of watchers, it then chugged steadily away, back where it came from, on it's return trip, all of our anti aircraft guns started firing at it. Now, why for heavens sake? Bizarre!
Sapper

[kfz]

Originally Posted by sapper

Yes I have witnessed it first hand, as well as the allies and the Enemy in the Caen area.

The Doodle Bug.
On its way back.

I know it's silly what we remember, some things that really are of no consequence at all, but for some reason we recall everything about that incident, in this case, because it was so bizarre. We were on high ground to the North of the City of Caen, That battle scared area I have always looked on as the ‘Killing Ground’ This was the high ground to in front of Caen, here whe we could look out over the channel, the site was incredible, I must admit to just standing looking at the thousands of ships of every description, spread as far as the eye could see, it looked as though it would be possible to walk back to England from ship to ship. I still have a clear picture of that view. What we saw next was a bit of pure theatre, a Buzz bomb, Doodle bug! came throbbing overhead, heading straight for England Half the battle field stopped what they were doing (both German and Allies) to watch this bit of entertainment, no one fired at it, and as it approached the coast a spitfire dived on it at high speed and tipped its wing, loud cheers from the thousands of watchers, it then chugged steadily away, back where it came from, on it's return trip, all of our anti aircraft guns started firing at it. Now, why for heavens sake? Bizarre!
Sapper

Thats just nuts.

If you read that in a trashy novel, you'd think Bull****!!!!

Kev

[sapper]

I can assure you kev it is absolutely true, I am not in the habit of posting anything but the truth the other thing is that thousands of service men will have seen it, for it took place over a very crowded area.

In conflict many very unusual events take place. When you retell it folk look at you as though you are talking bull...Its not, and that is the main reason that many veterans will not talk about their experiencs because of the look of disbelief on the listeners face.

I repeat...I am not in the habit of posting anything but actual history.If you think this is odd other things happen that are even more bizarre.
Sapper

[en830]

Originally Posted by sapper

I am not in the habit of posting anything but actual history.If you think this is odd other things happen that are even more bizarre.

I can believe it, the aiming of V1's wasn't an exact science, so therefore the odd one or two going off course is quite feasible.

[Kyt]

Originally Posted by kfz

Thats just nuts.

If you read that in a trashy novel, you'd think Bull****!!!!

Kev

Originally Posted by sapper

I can assure you kev it is absolutely true, I am not in the habit of posting anything but the truth the other thing is that thousands of service men will have seen it, for it took place over a very crowded area.

I think what Kev was actually saying was that "fact is often stranger than fiction" - and not actually questioning the veracity of the story.

[sapper]

The V1 did not veer off course, the wing was tipped by a Spit. though the wings do not touch There was an audience of many thousands to this bit of theatre.

[en830]

Originally Posted by sapper

The V1 did not veer off course, the wing was tipped by a Spit. though the wings do not touch There was an audience of many thousands to this bit of theatre.

Were V1's actually aimed at the Normandy beaches ?????