On May 9th 1941 Flt/lt Robert Woodward and his A I operator Sgt Alfred Lipscombe, of 600 Sqn based at Colerne were lucky to survive when a Beaufighter from 604 squadron at Middle Wallop mistook their aircraft for an enemy bomber. In the murk and darkness the 604Sqn pilot F/O Chisholm mistakenly thought the silhouette of the 600 Sqn Beaufighter was hostile, possibly a JU88. Woodward managed to keep control of the burning aircraft while Lipscombe baled out, Woodward following close behind his AI operator. According to my records their aircraft T4641 crashed close to Warwick.
During the days that followed relations between the two squadrons were icy. In the Officers Mess the airmen of 600 Sqn suggested a number of courses of action to take as retribution against their assailants, none of which were ever carried out. The 600 Sqn ORB entry for the incident records sarcastically that “Sgt Lipscombe recognised their attacker as a Beaufighter, It is a pity that the 604 Sqn pilot did not do the same”
I would be interest to know if anyone has any further information on this incident, possible a corresponding entry from the 604 Sqn ORB, and maybe Chisholms full name and that of his A I Operator. Also does anyone know if T4641’s crash site has ever been located and investigated ???
I know this is a long shot, but you just never know who or what is going to turn up.
By: bigmal - 25th February 2006 at 19:18
I have a second hand copy of “The Bristol Beaufighter Crash log” compiled by David J.Smith-I found it second hand in MAMs bookshop. Interestingly this does not include this incident though it does record over 800 other accidents FF incidents to the Beau in UK. Jerry Scutts Crowood book on the Beaufighter mentions Beaufighters T4637 NG-O, R2073 & R2136 as aircraft flown by Chisholm-perhaps a look at the AIRBRITAIN RAF serial number books would give a clue (I think these were compiled from the aircraft record cards.
By: EN830 - 25th February 2006 at 16:51
Thanks for the info Ross and Ian, I’ve ordered a copy of the book.
By: RadarArchive - 25th February 2006 at 16:49
The entry for Chisholm in Aces High notes that “he achieved some considerable success by night during the ‘Blitz’, flying with Sgt W G Ripley as his radar operator.
I can’t guarantee that Ripley was his Operator that night, but it certainly is a possibility.
Incidentall,y I’ve looked at Chisholm’s book, Cover of Darkness, and he does mention the incident, but doesn’t say who his Operator was.
By: Ross_McNeill - 25th February 2006 at 13:53
Hi,
Roderick Aeneas Chisholm was a pre war pilot who returned to the service on the outbreak of hostilities.
As you can see from the Bio the incident did not have a major effect on his RAF career.
http://www.rafweb.org/Biographies/Chisholm.htm
Regards
Ross
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February 25, 2006 at 1:32 pm