VVKJ Blenheim's over Rumania '41

Hi fellows,

During short April war VVKJ bombers attacked at least once targets in Rumania. One of them was attack on Timsoara airfield by 11.SGDI (Independent Long Range Reconnaissance Group) Blenheim’s. Two machines were lost over Rumanian soil and one more over Yugoslavia. Only Lt. Petrovic with his crew returned safely.
I do know crew names and partially circumstances (they were shot down by German fighters?) but more detailed info will be much appreciated. I’m also very interested in eventual Rumanian authorities official report (Red Cross report is very welcome also) considering shooting down of Blenheim’s and of course in some photos from crash site if there is any.

Cheers,
Aleks

Dear colleagues,

Is it possible that no one knows anything about nothing considering this topic?

Cheers,
Aleks

This subject is interesting, too bad no one has any info about it

Hello Mytzu,

I do have more detailed info but from Yugoslav side. I was only interested in Rumanian side of story and eventual reports or maybe wreckage photo or two.
Anyway here it goes.
11.SGDI (Long Range Reconnaissance Group) equipped with 9 Blenheim’s and 2 Hawker Harts were based at airfield Veliki Radinci close to Sremska Mitrovica town. Group CO was Maj. Radomir Lazarevic “Cvarak”.
During morning on April 6th they received order from Air Force Command to attack Rumanian airfield Timsoara and German fighter and bomber units on it and cause as much damage as possible. Alternative target was Timsoara railway junction. Four Blenheim Mk.I’s took off without fighter escort in the middle of the day with orders to fly at 2000 meters altitude!? Predicted suicide!
Without valid intelligence information and without precise Rumanian geographical charts and without fighter escort they were doomed from the beginning.
When they reached target area there was no trace of airfield. Observers were desperate and keep looking in all directions. Finally first three bombers attacked railway junction while forth one observed airport on the left side, abort bomb run and redirected to primary target. In the mean time on the ground full alert started, Rumanian AA guns woke up and German fighters were scrambled to intercept intruders.
Fourth Blenheim with crew pilot Sgt. J.Persic, observer Lt. J.Petrovic and unknown gunner attacked hangars and airstrip in low level flight with 4x100 kg “Stankovic” bombs and gunfire causing some damage. After one pass they break left and at only 20-30 meters high proceed back to home airport following Begej channel.
So far everything is pretty clear. From this point problems are starting. Some sources claimed that one Blenheim was shot down in Timsoara area (crew pilot Cap. B.Milovanovic/observer Lt. M.Kusovac/gunner Sgt. D.Nikodijevic, all killed) and second in Arad area (crew pilot O.Milicevic/observer 2.Lt. S.Glisovic/gunner K.Djukic, all killed) ??? What the hell they were doing over Arad, 50 kilometers from target area?
But from the other side they were all buried in Hero alley on Timsoara graveyard with all military honors provided by Rumanian army, expect gunner K.Djukic who was buried in graveyard in town Pecna ? (probable spelling).
The main point is, are they shot down by AA guns or by German fighters? And exact location of crash.
Third Blenheim with crew pilot T.Radovic, observer Lt. S.Zelenika and gunner Sgt. B.Bakic reached Yugoslav soil but then was attacked by one of two 6.Fighter regiment Me-109E’s from alerted patrol! Yugoslav fighter pilot Lt.M.Boskovic recognizes VVKJ Blenheim and breaks the attack without observing results. For 60 years all researchers believed that he shot down doomed crew, but it wasn’t true. After his attack Yugoslav AA guns on Fruska Gora mountain opened fire at same bomber making further damage. During attempt of force landing Blenheim crashed and burned, killing instantly all aboard.
Well, this is the story, with Rumanian part missing. If anyone can help (maybe someone from Timsoara) I’ll appreciate it very much.

Cheers,
Aleks

Thank you Aleks ! I would also like to see some of the romanian historians say something about this event.I see you opened a new thread: http://www.worldwar2.ro/forum/index.php?showtopic=1831 with Jugoslavian soldiers but I cannot id any of the names in that list with the ones in the list above.

You’re very welcome Mytzu.
Considering list with names I have no idea does it speaks about Air Force members or something else. If it does … In that case I will have unknown VVKJ loss over Romanian soil!!! Chances for that are very, very small, but who knows …
There is almost (99.99%) no chance that they can be members of Army, except if they were POW’s. But wounded? I don’t think that Romanian Army was taking wounded soldiers from Yugoslavia and transported them to Romania (Timsoara). From my point of view it’s out of question.
This list was provided by unknown institution in Romania for Yugoslav ambassador in Bucharest somewhere in mid ‘60’s. I don’t know why.
Mytzu, is there any kind of Romanian State Archive with Air Force History section which I can contact via e-mail?

Regards,
Aleks

I don't know yet - so far I wasn't able to get to military archives (not anyone can get access) - but I will ask someone.I doubt you will be able to reciesve help via email from the military archives (or any romanian archives), but I may be wrong ofcourse

My experiences are the same. I received no reply to my e-mails sent to various e-mail addresses of the Military Archives and elsewhere in Rumania (e.g., my former University in Brasov).
I believe e-mails are still not regarded as an "official" letter...

Gen. Dénes

This post has been edited by Dénes on February 07, 2005 05:24 pm

Thanks Mytzu / Bernad,

It’s same here, don’t worry. You must send “real letter” or even better find someone as “connection”.
Do you suggest writing of “official” letter to Romanian Military Archive? Does anyone know the address? Do you think that trying over Romanian military attaché in Romanian Embassy in Belgrade will produce effects? I have modalities to contact him.
To be honest I was thinking that Romanian colleagues will solve my quest with little or
no problems, but … I didn’t know that mentioned event is small mystery for them too.
Anyway, I’m accepting all suggestions that can help.

Cheers,
Aleks

It is worth trying :] unless someone from this forum has access to the archives or to someone who works there.

This post has been edited by D13-th_Mytzu on February 07, 2005 10:48 pm