Wellington Mk 1c N2852 NZ-D

Discussion in 'The War In The Air' started by archivist, Mar 4, 2023.

  1. archivist

    archivist Well-Known Member

    On the night of 20/21 October 1941 Wellington N2852 NZ-D of 304 was shot down and crashed in the sea South east of Heligoland. The plane got off an SOS but the rescue mission failed. Can anyone please suggest where the rescue mission would have been launched from? Many thanks.
     
  2. Quarterfinal

    Quarterfinal Well-Known Member

    It might have involved the newly forming 278 Squadron:
    No. 278 Squadron (RAF) during the Second World War
    in its early days at Matlaske (3 Flight)
    RAF Matlaske - Wikipedia
    but you would inevitably need logs ......
    Some backgound info is in:
    https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/documents/research/RAF-Historical-Society-Journals/Journal-40.pdf
    which suggests it was within the area of responsibility for the Sea Rescue Officer attached to 16 Gp RAF Coastal Command, the event occurring beyond the 20 mile English coastal demarkation for Fighter Command’s Lysanders.
     
    Last edited: Mar 4, 2023
  3. archivist

    archivist Well-Known Member

    Thank you. That is a great starting point
     
  4. archivist

    archivist Well-Known Member

    This aircraft made a forced landing on 13th or 14th August 1941 at RAF East Wretham about nine weeks before it was lost. Would there be any detail in the station ORB as the Squadron's own ORB is very sketchy on the subject.
     
  5. RAFCommands

    RAFCommands Senior Member

    The Station ORB is not the best place to look for detail

    Form 1180 Accident Card from RAFAHB or RAF Museum is a much better summary source for an accident not directly due to enemy action.

    Attached is the F1180

    Also for your Heligoland enquiry the Hudsons from RAF North Coates were more usually tasked with this under Op Search and Op Seek flights

    Ross
     

    Attached Files:

  6. RAFCommands

    RAFCommands Senior Member

  7. archivist

    archivist Well-Known Member

    Thank you Ross,
    That is absolutely superb

    Neville
     

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