Combat Report

A combat report is an encounter with the Luftwaffe and possible gunfire is exchanged. In this particular incident the Laffin Crew was attacked by 3 Me-109's, however there were no claims. The form is filled out by the air-gunners, 2 pages, and is quite descriptive. (Only 1/2 of first page scanned/cropped). I have typed out the complete document. Copy of Document Richard Koval.

Appendix “A”

COMBAT REPORT PRO FORMA

1. Date …18/4/1944… Target ...Gardening near Sweden.. Sqdn …434… A/C Letter..C…

2. A/C Type & Mark …Halifax V… Serial No..WL/C…LL-240..

3. What Special Equipment (i.e. BOOZER I, BOOZER III, AURAL MONICA, VISUAL MONICA, FISHPOND A.T. IV, A.I.-V, A.G.L.T.) was carried? Say whether serviceable, u/s, or not used at the time of combat …Visual Monica

    Was operator TRAINED/UNTRAINED? …

4. Time …23:10… Height …16,000… Heading …068…

5. Position (Lat. and Long.) …55.15N...08.10E … Outward/Target Area/Home …

6. Weather (Cloud; Moon and position in relation to Bomber; Visibility, etc …No Moon, Dark and Hazy…

7. Searchlights, Flares, Flak, etc … prior to or during attack …Nil…

8. What was the first warning? VISUAL/FIRE FROM UNSEEN AIRCRAFT/SPECIAL EQUIPMENT. (Say which equipment if more than one) …Visual Monica…

9. What was the immediate action taken? …Corkscrew Stbd at 400 yds…

10. If the first warning was not special equipment, did it warn later? …N/A…

11. First Visual. Range …200 yds… Azimuth …Port/Stbd/Astern/Stbd.Qtr. Both Qtr. Altitude (OR DOWN/LEVEL)…Up

How long after first warning? …Some Seconds…

12. Which member of the crew obtained first visual? …M/U..

13. E/A. Type …109… No…3… Formation …One attacked solo, then one from each quarter at the same time

14. Did E/A carry lights? …No…

15. Direction of Attack or Approach …Port and Stbd. Qtr. At same time – One up/One up/One level.

16. Direction of Breakaway …Two up one down… Range …50 yds. 200 yds, 200 yds.

17. What combat maneuver taken? …Corkscrew… Range …400 yds…

18. Did fighter fire? …Yes… Opening Range …400… Closing Range …200…

19. Rear Gunner. Rounds …200… Opening Range …400… Stoppages …One or two (Links)

20. M/U Gunner. Rounds …300… Opening Range …400… Stoppages …One or two (Links)

21. Under Gunner. Rounds …---… Opening Range … Stoppages …

22. Front Gunner. Rounds …---… Opening Range … Stoppages …

23. Who opened fire first? FIGHTER/REAR GUNNER/MID UPPER/UNDER GUNNER/FRONT GUNNER …M/U and R/AG…

24. Were you able to clear the stoppages? …Yes…

25. Damage to Bomber …None…

26. Casualties to Crew …None…

27. Damage to Fighter …None…

28. Rear Gunner Sgt. Wentworth,C. R.185519.… Mid-Upper Sgt. Soderstrom,C. R.205370 … Under …---…

29. Where trained?                      …9 B. & G. AGS ….. AGS ……..3.B. & G.… AGS

…82………..OTU .... OTU ………82……….. OTU

…1664……. HCU …… HCU ………1664……. HCU

30. Bomber off track/on track/returning early when combat occurred? …On track…

31. Loss of Height during encounter …Negligible…

32. Was under-gun position manned? …N/A…

33. Which crew position was searching away from the attack, or in the dark part of the sky? Type of second enemy aircraft seen …Attack was on both sides…

34. Mechanical defects or damage previously sustained affecting combat? …Nil…

NARRATIVE

In the case of attacks (i.e. cases in which the enemy aircraft opened fire) and of other combats involving claims of enemy aircraft destroyed – a narrative giving the proper time sequence of all events must be added. It should include all features of general interest not covered by the above questionnaire.

One A/C was first picked up by the WOP/AG on vis. Mon at 800 yds on STBD.QTR. As it was still invisible at 400 yds the MU/AG gave corkscrew STBD. Just after this the enemy aircraft opened fire without effect, then breaking away over the top of Halifax “C”. Immediately afterwards two ME.109’s attacked from each quarter simultaneously. Halifax “C” continued to corkscrew and the two E/A broke away, one up and one down. None of the E/A were seen again.

(C.C. SHERRING) F/Lt.

Gunnery leader,

No.434 Squadron (R.C.A.F.)