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Bombing of a small village in Switzerland February 1945

Discussion in 'Air War in Western Europe 1939 - 1945' started by HA96, Mar 26, 2016.

  1. HA96

    HA96 New Member

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    This pretty small village Altdorf close to Schaffhausen was attacked by a single RAF Mosquito night fighter on February 28, 1945 at around 8:45pm. Apparently, the attack was in connection with an air raid of a marshalling yard in Freiburg/Breisgau Germany during the same night by the US 492nd Bomb Group. This Group was escorted by 24 RAF Mosquito night fighters from their base in England (Harrington?). What is not known, why did this night fighter share out to attack Altdorf very close to the German border and what was the pilot believing he was attacking? Another strange fact following the attack, some of the Swiss locals collected empty 20mm machine gun cartridges of US and/or British origin. The bottom of these cartridges are embossed with 1944, RH = Raleigh Cycle Co., Nottingham, UK, the ammunition factory. I believe RH could also mean Rayers and Hayes, Chicago. Others were embossed 1944, ST = Royal Ordinance Factory, Steaton, UK.
    The Mosquito night fighters also dropped two bombs of about 50kg each, an incendiary type an the other one a demolition type. According to an explosives expert at the time, the splinter collected afterwards were of US origin.
    Nobody got hurt, only some houses were damaged.

    Can anyone answer the open questions or add any additional Details?

    Stefan.
     
  2. Skipper

    Skipper Kommodore

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  3. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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  4. HA96

    HA96 New Member

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    Thanks for the links to both of you.
    As you said, unfortunately nothing on Altdorf, but a lot about Schaffhausen which is pretty close to Altdorf. Most of what was said in these documents is already known to us.
    The damage in Feb. 1945 was around Swiss Francs 180,000 which was compensated by the US without acknowledging any guilt.
    Rumours in the village say that it also could have been a Black Widow.
    Also, involved in the attack could have been the 100th RAF Squadron which often went along with the US B24s.
    Some night fighters in 1944/1945 operated from an Airport in Lorraine, France, but I do not know which one.

    Stefan
     

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