Mission
Location
Unit
Aircraft
Captain

Crew

Anti Shipping
Kefalonia, Greece
RAF 18 Sqn
Blenheim MkIV, s/n Z7802 (WV-Q)
NZ403312, F/Lt Everest George Edmunds DFC – KiA

RAFVR 1001649, Sgt Sigurd Edgar Hedin DFM – KiA
RAFVR 924027, Sgt Martin John Mills – KiA

     Three Blenheims of 18 Squadron were despatched to attack shipping on Argostoli harbour. A/c were ‘Q’ F/L Edmunds, ‘A’ Sgt Hedin, ‘?’ Sgt Bone.

   Second wave of attack commanded by 107 Sqn.
  Attacked from height bombs dropped 5 x 500, 11 sec dealy. Bombs landed very near the ship but no damages were seen.

   Opposition machine guns and light tracer from both sides of the harbour. Light and medium A/A from all ships except merchant vessel.
   At 14.10 hrs sighted one schooner 200 ton at Vardiani 0 miles 180 degrees cource 380 degrees.

   Ac ‘Q’ failed to return. F/L Edmunds

     Three Blenheims of 107 Squadron were despatched along with three of 18 Squadron to attack shipping in Argostoli harbour. The aircraft of 107 Squadron consitituted the first wave and sighted one CANT 506 which was chased but not engaged.

Circumstantial Report on the loss of Blenheim Mark IV Q.Z.7802

From: Officer Commanding R.A.F. Station, Luqa
To: Headquarters R.A.F. Mediterranean (1 copy)
Date: 13th December, 1941
Ref: Luqa/714/2/P1.

    1.  On the morning of the 11th December, 1941, Blenheim Q.Z.7802 of No. 18 Squadron was despatched on operations together with other Blenheim aircraft.
The operation was a low level attack on merchant vessels in the harbour at Argostoli. The formation was led by the above machine the crew of which were as follows:

NZ403312 F/Lt Edmunds, E.G. Pilot
1001649 Sgt Hedin, S.C. A.Obs
924027 Sgt Mills, M.J. WO/AG.

    2. There was considerable opposition in the harbour and flak was observed coming from three destroyers and several land batteries. After F/Lt. Edmunds had attacked the merchant vessel smoke was seen coming fron his port engine and he was executing a climbing turn to starboard. Shortly afterwards he was seen diving towards the centre of the harbour, but the machine appeared to be perrectly under control.
He was, however, still under eneny fire.

    3. This was the last seen of him by the remaining crews, and 1st thought that there is quite a chance thet he forced landed.

Group Captain, Commanding,
R.A.F. Station, Luqa

     The loss of F/Lt Edmunds and crew, is certainly a result of Anti Aircraft fire – from all directions: Three (3) Italian destroyers and numbered A/A batteries ashore.
   There is not any document in TNA/Kew that confims the engage of any CR-42(s) with 18 or 107 Sqn.

   If you have any kind of document (Primary sourced) which confirms the claim -or at least the engage- by Italian aircraft, please inform us.