Beaufighter Anti-Shipping Strike

[Wildcat]

I've just come across these awesome photo's showing 455 Squadron RAAF on anti-shipping strike's against German ships somewhere near Norway (I think). Check em out!

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

wow amazing shots there.......

 

[evangilder]

Those are great shots!

 

[mosquitoman]

Just shows what a Beau can do!
8x .303 Brownings, 4x20mm Hispanos and either 8 RPs or a torpedo

 

[Nonskimmer]

Wicked shots!

 

[Wildcat]

I can only imagine how terrifying it must have been to be on the receiving end of a Beaufighter attack! Especially on a ship, I mean where do you hide?

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

but it wouldn't really be a barrel of laughs in the beau, i mean where do you go if you get shot down??

 

[trackend]

Those are some wild pics wildcat they put the wind up me just looking at them those little coastal vessels must have looked like sieves after that lot

 

[Aggie08]

Man those beau's sure have a punch to 'em. Sort of like the later model B-25's (except the J) that had the glass noses replaced with oodles of guns- I can only imagine what it feels like to be on either end of such firepower.

 

[davidnzl]

Almost right re your photo credits - the second one down was taken by a 489 NZ Squadron navigator - Paul Gifford - He is still alive and well in UK. For more info, you my wish to look at a couple of logbooks and more photos on BURROWES.ORG

 

[k9kiwi]

I have a book around here somewhere with tactics etc used during those wing strikes, I will dig it out and throw some info up later.

 

[Maharg]

Nice pics Wildcat. There is a book out there I read a few years ago about 455 Squadron, A very interesting read.

 

[Wildcat]

Almost right re your photo credits - the second one down was taken by a 489 NZ Squadron navigator - Paul Gifford - He is still alive and well in UK. For more info, you my wish to look at a couple of logbooks and more photos on BURROWES.ORG

Cheers for the correction Dave.

 

[Wildcat]

Nice pics Wildcat. There is a book out there I read a few years ago about 455 Squadron, A very interesting read.

I know the book your talking about Maharg, I've been trying to get hold of it myself.

 

[SteveH]

Are there any other books on RAAF Beau's? I have 'Whispering Death'. I was planning on doing a painting of a 30Sqd (I think) attack on Rufes at Taberfane, and I'm looking for some location aerials...

Cheers,

Steve

 

[Downwind.Maddl-Land]

Just shows what a Beau can do!
8x .303 Brownings, 4x20mm Hispanos and either 8 RPs or a torpedo

Just a minor correction ('cos people do use sites like this as a reference authority): the Beau was kitted out with 6 x .303s (2 port, 4 starboard wing) although Australian Mk 21s had 4 x .50s in the wings (now that really would make your eyes water!). However, I understand that most Coastal Command Beaus had long-range tanks fitted in the gun bays (24 gals port, 50 gals starboard) and this was the ‘default’ when 8 Rocket Projectiles were carried; it was probably felt that anything more that 4 x 20mm Hispanos and 8 RPs just wouldn’t be cricket!

Not trying to ‘scores points’ Mosquitoman, just trying to stop people going away with the wrongs facts; please understand.

 

[Wildcat]

Are there any other books on RAAF Beau's? I have 'Whispering Death'. I was planning on doing a painting of a 30Sqd (I think) attack on Rufes at Taberfane, and I'm looking for some location aerials...

Cheers,

Steve

Steve's theres a book called "Coomalie Charlie's Commandos" about 31 sqn which was the unit involved in the strikes on the float plane base at Taberfane. Might be worth checking out.

 

[Downwind.Maddl-Land]

Does everyone know, or is anyone interested in wanting to know, about how the different types of RPs were transposed in their roles?

 

[SteveH]

Thanks Wildcat, I'll scan the 'net for a copy. Good pics I hope.

Steve