Spitfire photos on ebay . . . details of losses???

[Andy Mac]

http://search.ebay.co.uk/spitfire-foto_W0QQfkrZ1QQfltZ9QQsaatsZ3

thanks.

AJ.

[Ruy Horta]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v24/X.fliegerkorps/flugzeuge5/engl-spit-3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v24/X.fliegerkorps/flugzeuge5/engl-spit-2.jpg

Is that a two tone spinner?

Looks like the tip is a different color.

[Christer Bergström]

To me the squadron code seems to be "UZ" - i.e. No. 306 Sqn.

[brewerjerry]

Hi,
more photos in edd's posting on the axis board, 3-11-05 pt1, in misc

http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/viewtopic.php?t=786

codes UZ-V
i.e.

http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6161981475

there is another spit
http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6161981848

and a nice series of a raf B-24 belly landing & a ventura crash
cheers
Jerry

[Christer Bergström]

Yes, UZ:V - absolutely a plane from the Polish No. 306 RAF Sqn, probably from spring/summer/aurumn 1941 or 1942. Unfortunately, there are no squadron codes for 306 Sqn. in the period in question in Franks's "Fighter Command Losses". There are lost and lots of 306 Sqn losses which could be the one captured in the photograph. Hopefully there is someone here with knowledge regarding individual aircraft codes in Polish squadrons.

[Franek Grabowski]

A look at the roundels proves that photos must have been taken in the second half of 1942.
20.08.1942, Circus 206, F/S Bruno 'Bubi' or 'Krocz' Kroczyński, R6770 UZ-V, downed by Flak, POW.

[brewerjerry]

Hi,
thanks for the info,
is it a trick of the light, or dirt,
but the spinner seems to be two colours, the tip is different to the rear.
cheers
jerry

[Franek Grabowski]

A shadow, dirt and technology of the cone!

[Christer Bergström]

In Franks's "Fighter Command Losses" the date given for this is 22 Aug 1942.

Interestingly, this Kroczynski was one of three Polish pilots who were shot down when Oblt. Johannes Steinhoff and his Schwarm clashed with 306 Sqn near Dover on 19 May 1941. Without own losses, the Germans claimed to have shot down four "Spitfires" (two of which ended up as Steinhoff's 7th and 8th victories while one became Addi Glunz's 2nd victory). In reality "only" three Hurricanes (!) were shot down. It would be interesting to find out if 306 Sqn claimed any victories in that combat. Kroczynski survived the incident on 19 May 1941.

[Andy Mac]

thanks so far :D

[ssg keay]

Ahhemmm, can someone explain to me how the Spitfire ended up on the German side of the channel if the combat with Steinhof was supposed to be near Dover? I mean after all those troops just don't seem very British at all...lol :)

[Christer Bergström]

ssg Keay, Kroczynski was first shot down by Steinhoff in May 1941 but survived and returned to service. Then he was shot down a second time - due to Norman Franks's "RAF Fighter Command Losses" on 22 August 1942 (or maybe 20 August 1942, due to Franek Grabowski's post above). It obviously was on the second occasion that his Spitfire came down in France.

[Franek Grabowski]

Sorry, I have checked in the book instead of my tables and misread the information. Of course it was 22 August and the mission was NOT Circus but Rhubarb.
306 did not fired a shot during 19 May 1941 combat - it was a series of misfortunes that led to such a result. Operations have led the Squadron on a small group of 109s bellow but failed to notice a larger group until the last moment. Just about the German attack had to start, leader's aircraft have had a serious malfunction and was forced to break. Finally, a warning by one of the pilots was not heard. In effect of this sortie, Polish Wing dropped section of three formation and started to fly early finger four one.

[Christer Bergström]

"I have checked in the book instead"

Which book?

[Franek Grabowski]

http://wysylkowo.pl/product_info.php?products_id=51659