By: Pete Truman - 16th February 2007 at 17:02
Just out of interest I caught something about this on Anglia News at lunchtime, or rather wandered into the living room as my missus was stuffing herself with a butty and got annoyed as to why I wasn’t called in when a spitfire in some museum was on screen, I don’t really know what it was all about, is it a new museum dedicated to the Channel Dash, I assume so as it featured a painting of a Swordfish having ‘a bad time’, presumably it will be on again this evening at 18:00 for those of us in the Anglia Region, have you all noticed, WW2 items seem to crop up in our local news more than any other region.
I echo Moggy’s sentiments, I think that the Kriegsmarine could have got a good stuffing under the right circumstances, I always thought it was a bit of a communications breakdown that caused the poor old Swordfish boys to really suffer, they should never have been sent in, but no doubt their sense of honour was exploited by those at the top.
By: Wessex Fan - 12th February 2007 at 17:06
One of the best books I have read on the subject was titled “FIASCO” by John Deane Potter. The description of the Swordfish attack will bring tears to your eyes.
Eric
My hat comes off to these guys; they really were the bravest of the brave!
By: WebPilot - 12th February 2007 at 15:46
Which is why I snipped mention of the FAA from my quote above. 😉
In truth, with the equipment they got, the FAA was historic at the time.
Moggy
’twas my point! 😀
By: Moggy C - 12th February 2007 at 15:30
Which is why I snipped mention of the FAA from my quote above. 😉
In truth, with the equipment they got, the FAA was historic at the time.
Moggy
By: WebPilot - 12th February 2007 at 15:14
True, but I get moaned at if I stray off-topic from Historic Aviation :rolleyes:
Moggy
I’d reckon the FAA counted as historic aviation even back then in 1942!
By: Moggy C - 12th February 2007 at 15:10
And not just on the part of the RAF of course. The RN ……. and the coastal guns also failed to prevent Operation Cerberus.
True, but I get moaned at if I stray off-topic from Historic Aviation :rolleyes:
Moggy
By: Moggy C - 12th February 2007 at 15:08
And the poor sods sitting in the back didn’t. 😡
But that was the way of things in those days.
I wonder how different it would have been if the later-years Banff wing had been on hand with torpedo Beaufighters and rocket firing Mosquitos, plus a bit of useful top cover?
Moggy
By: Andy in Beds - 12th February 2007 at 15:04
And Esmonde won the Victoria Cross leading 825 Sqd. FAA.
By: CSheppardholedi - 12th February 2007 at 14:40
Beat me to it. 3 big, fast targets! Guess it is a bit easier to sink them at anchor……just don’t mind the flak, fighters and weather! Though the RAF deployed aerial mines did their job to some extent.
The cruiser Königsberg’s sinking by Skuas in Norway did show that Capital Ships with no air cover were rather vulnerable.
By: dhfan - 12th February 2007 at 14:39
It took me that long to look it up.
Definitely not one of our greatest moments. Sod’s Law much in evidence.
By: WebPilot - 12th February 2007 at 14:38
Four minutes.
What kept you? 😉
Indeed, a heroism-riddled shambles.
Moggy
And not just on the part of the RAF of course. The RN, FAA and the coastal guns also failed to prevent Operation Cerberus.
By: Moggy C - 12th February 2007 at 14:33
Four minutes.
What kept you? 😉
Indeed, a heroism-riddled shambles.
Moggy
By: dhfan - 12th February 2007 at 14:27
Channel Dash?
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February 12, 2007 at 2:23 pm