Flt Lt Frede Johannes Florentsen

254 Sqn

Beaufighter X (M)

21.02.44

07:19 - 09:59

0719[/0759] A/B North Coates with 13 Anti-Flak A/C of 143 Squadron and 15 of 236 Squadron to contact escort of 2 Squadrons of L.R. Spitfires over Coltishall.
0800 'H' landed base on account of engine trouble. 0842 Wing located a convoy of approx. 14/16 ships on N/E Co. just turning into Den Helder.
Photographs show 1 M/V 4 'M'C1 M/S. and 8 'R' Boates. There was possibly a second M/V.
'J' and 'T' attacked M/V with torpedoes but 'J' saw torp jump out of water and dive again. Cannon were not used. 'T' saw torpedo running and then attacked target with cannon, strikes being seen on stern.
'G' and 'O' were crowded out and did not fire torpedoes, and the latter was unable to use cannon for the same reason. 'G' however attacked M/V with cannon and saw strikes on stern.
'M' [Sgt Florentsen] fired torpedo at M/V and made cannon attack on 'M' C1 M/S ahead of target. Some strikes were seen.
'N' also attacked M/V with torpedo and cannon.
'J' saw second or third E-boat in echelon hit by cannon fire and convoy was seen to be covered by smoke when A/C was 15 miles away on return attack. 'T' saw an explosion on 'R'-boat on starboard side og G/V on fire, as also did 'O'.
'G' had two small holes in starboard tailplanes. One A/C of No. 143 Squadron failed to return and was seen to make a good ditching, and one of the crew was seen in dinghy.
Photos show a possible torpedo hit, one exposure showing a tall plume of water, smoke, or steam and although no vessel is seen near this plume there is a possibility of the pressence of a second M/V (reported by several crews) being hidden by explosion.
0912 'Z' Landed base. )
0920/33 'U' 'Y' 'A' 'P' landed base ) Not having contacted wing.
0953/59. Remainder landed base.

AIR 27/1516