Introduction and Objectives

[FromSeatoSea]

Hello,

Being a new member here I thought I would introduce myself.

For the last 15 years I have been researching my Great Uncles career in the RAF. Many years ago I was able to find a number of records in Italian archives detailing the incident in which my Uncle was killed; he was shot down just off the coast near Crotone.

Sadly, after a fire and a number of house moves I no longer have my research.

I am hoping that members here may be able to help me piece together the last moments of my Uncles life. I have a lot of information which will help but I need experts on Italian records and history.

Kind regards
J

 

[1089maul]

J,
Welcome to the forum.
Hopefully a member of this forum will be able to help you.
I have a number of books on the Regia Aeronautica and will be happy to research them for you.
Can you put in this thread the circumstances surrounding your uncle being shot down including the date? Also, what information that you seek.
Regards from a very cold Buckinghamshire!
Bob

 

[FromSeatoSea]

Hi Bob,

Apologies for my late reply.

My Great Uncle, a Rear Gunner with 221 Squadron was killed on the 2nd February 1943. His Wellington Bomber, HX398 took off from Luqa on an operation to find Italian and German Radar frequencies off the coast of Italy. It seems that during the sortie, they came across a tanker (possibly the Urano) and decided to attack it. From what I remember, the tanker was hugging the coast and the aircraft strayed too close to the shore and was shot down by an Italian Anti Aircraft Battery in the Crotone Harbour area.

I seem to remember that the account I had was from an Italian officer, possibly from a destroyer escorting the tanker.

Kind regards
J

 

[Andreas]

For 2 February, the war diary of Comando Supremo notes that convoy Urano (2 merchants going Messina - Taranto) was attacked by torpedo aircraft off Cape Colonna late in the evening of the day. Urano was hit and set aground off Punta dell'Alice north of Crotone.

No news on any enemy aircraft shot down I am afraid.

All the best

Andreas