Re: Hurricane P3533
 

Paul

The problem is that we do not know what squadron P3533 ended up with and I suppose that 607 Squadron is a possibility even if it is not on record as being with that squadron. It certainly cannot be 46 Squadron.

As to a Cambrai burial, that is possible. Indeed, I suppose there are three possibilities in this case:

a) he (whoever he is) is still "missing" and unburied
b) he is buried in a CWGC plot as an unknown RAF airman
c) he is buried in a CWGC plot as a named casualty

All I can say is that the aeroplane believed to be P3533 certainly involved the death of its pilot. Loosely, it is in the Cambrai district. We believe that it was most likely lost there in May or early June 1940.

Re: Hurricane P3533
 

Air Britian Serials has

P3533 Combined Forces in France (CFF) /46, Lost in France 5.40

Which implies it was going to be allocated to 46 Sqn from a holding unit within France. However we know 46 Sqn was never based in France. It was at RAF Digby then went to Norway in May 1940.. So why would an aircraft be brought back from France and allocated rather than use an aircraft already in the UK.. Unless there were plans to send 46 to France which got abandoned (outside my general knowledge base)... In that case I wonder if the 46 is a typo for another French based Hurricane unit. I have not got my Air Britain serials books to hand (and won't for a long time as I have just moved house and they are in storage) however if any one has access to them what are the other Sqn allocations from CCF? Are there anymore that say 46 Sqn ?

Just a thought..

Re: Hurricane P3533
 

Paul

My belief was that this aircraft was initially earmarked for 46 Squadron (then in Norway) but was simply not sent there because of the withdrawal from Norway. Instead, it was sent to France for one of the squadrons there although there was no specific end-user squadron detailed on the AM 78 apart from CFF. Knowing which squadron operated it would certainly draw us closer to the date of loss and the identity of its pilot.

Re: Hurricane P3533
 

Andy so the AM 78 order says 46 then CFF not CFF then 46?....

Re: Hurricane P3533
 

Not sure! I am waiting for a copy of the actual card. I am not aware that there was ever an intention to send 46 to France from Norway, although if there was then obviously that plan foundered with the loss of HMS Glorious. I cannot imagine there would have been an intention to re-deploy 46 Sqn to another operational theatre straight out of Norway though.

Re: Hurricane P3533
 

AB usually quote in order of allocation so I would assume CFF then 46 .....

I think L2060 was also allocated CFF (but actually lost 615 Sqn on 20th May 1940)