Can anyone tell me who shot down Fw Braun of 5Jg/27 on the 6/9/40 crashed Tudely F

Thanks Antoni, so it appears there are different accounts of Josef Frantiseks kills on the 6/9/40. (I guess his flying log book would be handy.)

6th September 1940 was a busy day for 303 Squadron. An account, that also includes Poles flying with RAF squadrons, can be found in Robert Gretzyngier’s Poles in Defence of Great Britain. It runs to several pages so I cannot write it all out here.

According to the Czech historian Jiri Rajlich’s account in his book Hurricane Ace Josef Frantisek the True Story.

“As regards the Bf 109 claimed by Frantisek, its identification is not clear. Francis Mason, Frantisek Fajtl, and Christopher Shores, together with Cilve Williams credit him with the destruction of Bf 109E-4 (W.Nr. 1985, white 6+) from I.JG 3. It was flown by Lt. Hienz Schnabel who had four victories from the Battle of France. Shot down that day he crash-landed at Handen Farm in Chapfall near Aldington (Kent) and was taken prisoner . Detailed study of the archive materials suggest Frantisek did not shoot him down. Frantisek reported his combat at 15.05, while Schnabel was shot down at 10.10. His actual victor was most probably F/lt John Webser of the Spitfire-equipped 41 Squadron. He claimed three victories in that area at 10.10.”

“Frantisek’s victim must have been in fact one of the two Bf 109-E4s from II./JG 54 that crashed into the Thames Esturary following combat. The unidentified pilot of W.Nr. 1098 was rescued by the German Seenotdienst. Uffz. Behse in Wr.Nr 5353 was not so fortunate and was posted missing after falling into the sea off Southend.”

Just found in the polish 303 B.O.B. diary by Richard King, it states on page with the combat claims 30th Aug – 7th Oct that Josef Frantisek on the 6/9/40 shot down Me 109 -4 (2762) 5/Jg 27. of which was Luftwaffe pilot F.W. Erich Braun.

Thanks for all your reply’s so far, i had seen the reference to P B Robinson 601 Squadron,having claimed Erich Brauns Me 109, but i find it a little confusing as in the 303 (Polish squadron) book by Richard king on page 110 there is a ref to Erich Braun stating aircraft number time etc, it states that the Polish squadron had also claimed the Me 109 of Eric Braun Having been caught up in a dog fight over Kent. would anyone know whether 601 Squadron and 303 squadron were on the same scramble? any help would be appreciated Cheers Brad.

Just to clarify, Clint does indeed have the markings correct, as does my source “Die Jagdfliegerverbande der Deutschen Luftwaffe 1934 bis 1945, Teil 4/I” by J.Prien et al [Struve, 2002]. I just failed to see it when posting… so off to Specsavers 😎

Cheers
Peter D Evans
LEMB Aministrator

Bank Farm, Tudeley.

Engaged by fighters during bomber escort sortie to London and engine damaged in attack by Flight Lieutenant P. B. Robinson of No. 601 Squadron. turned for home but coolant lost and still persued by fighters so abandoned over Tonbridge. A slight difference in the markings details provided by Peter above: 6 + –

Source: Blitz Then & Now Vol 1, Winston Ramsay, Et al. 🙂

Unfortunately “Aircraft Casualties in Kent” only says “severely damaged by fighters”.

Sorry…

Adrian

Surely somebody here with the appropriate volume of “Battle of Britain, Then and Now” can help? All I can add is that is that Braun was flying a Bf109E-4, WNr.2762 and coded sw 6+

Cheers
Pete