Shared victories, Italy
 

Hello boffins,

I'm trying to identify the pilots who shared in these victories of 92 & 43 Sqns, respectively:

10/10/43: Do 217; shared by five pilots, including F/L JH Nicholls

26/11/43: Ju 88; claimed off Capua, this was shared by six pilots, including S/L PL Parrott (Spitfire IX MA481) & F/L RW Turkington. Was Parrott actually credited with 1/2?

Any help would be appreciated!

Cheers,

Bruce

Re: Shared victories, Italy
 

Hi Bruce,

According to the Osprey 43 Squadron history he was awarded a half of a kill, although I know AH credits him and Turkihgton with one-sixth each.

Regards

Keith

Re: Shared victories, Italy
 

Hi Keith,

The Osprey 43 Sqn history is where I too found S/L Parrott credited with a half share.

I've left a pm for you.

Cheers,

Bruce

Re: Shared victories, Italy
 

Bruce,

from my notes taken at the PRO a few years ago (43 & 92 Sqn ORB) those involved in the shared claims were:

(43 Sqn) 1 Ju88 conf on 26 Nov 43 - S/L Parrott & F/L Turkington & W/O PJ Hedderwick (RAAF) & W/O CV Robertson (RAAF) & F/S KR Pendrick (RAAF) & F/S SP Smith.

(92 Sqn) 1 Do217 conf on 10 Oct 43 - F/L Nicholls & F/O Wihak (Can) & F/O MK Fakhry (RAAF) & F/S Brister & F/S McKay (later MIA).

Ian Westworth

Re: Shared victories, Italy
 

Hi Ian,

Many thanks; that's another claim-albeit small-that isn't included in 'Happy' Hedderwick's entry in 'TOE'.

Do you know the codes/serials for the a/c of Fakhry, Hedderwick, Robertson and Pendrick? And the location for the 92 Sqn claim?

Cheers,

Bruce

Re: Shared victories, Italy
 

Bruce,

I am afraid my notes are not exotic enough to run to a/c serials. However I have an old article on 92 Sqn (from the net) which states 'on the 4th anniversary of the sqn, a Do17 was shot down flying north east near Termoli which was shared by no less than 5 pilots'.

I suppose that you have also found that F/S Hedderwick not only made the claims in TOE (2.5 E/A conf) but he also claimed a Ju88 dam on 9 Nov 42.

Ian Westworth

Re: Shared victories, Italy
 

Hi guys

I also had those gaps in my lists - so many thanks.

Re 92 Squadron for this late period, I have no claimants for the following dates:

19/2/44 Bf109

13/5/44 FW190 shared by three pilots

Re 43 Squadron I have note of a W/O Leeming RAAF (1942-43) with no further identification. Can you oblige?

Cheers
Brian

I've certainly enjoyed the Ashes! Hard luck! At least you came second!

Re: Shared victories, Italy
 

Hi Brian,

Don’t mention the cricket!

In answer to your queries…..

43 Sqn – R.W. Leeming Aus.401975, his service file can be viewed at the NAA website.

92 Sqn – Go to Nick Beale’s excellent website for details of 13 May 44 combat
http://www.ghostbombers.com/SG4/13may.html

regards, Drew H

Re: Shared victories, Italy
 

Hi Ian,

Yes, I had that claim for Hedderwick on 9/11/42. His total seems to be 2 & 2 shared dest, 1 dam.

With regard to W/O CV Robertson, was he an Aussie in the RAF? Or are
the initials incorrect? I can't seem to find him at the WW2 Roll.

Cheers,

Bruce

Re: Shared victories, Italy
 

It must have been Vernon Bruce Robertson, RAAF (401152).

John

Re: Shared victories, Italy
 

Bruce & John

in my hand written notes from the PRO I've got W/O CV Robertson RAAF, but you are quite right it must be VB Robertson who was on 43 Sqn during Aug-Nov 43. What can I say, I'm still in shock after seeing the Poms running around with that little urn !!

Ian

Re: Shared victories, Italy
 

Regarding the 10.10.43. claim, from my Do 17 book:

On 10 October Stfw Đuro Senel (P), Lt Zvonimir Adam (NO), Uffz Šime Jurjević (RO) and Ofw Zlatko Mužić (MG) tried to defect during another recce over Adriatic. However, as they neared Italian coast, their Do 17Z A1+CZ was intercepted by eight Mk.VIII Spitfires of RAF 92.Sqn northwest of isle of Termoli, as described in 92.Sqn Operations Record Book:
"In two fluid parts patrolled at 7000-8000 feet. At 8.30 enemy aircraft spotted at 5 o’clock below flying NE at 5000 over Termoli. Yellow 3 and 4 sent to investigate. On report that it was Do 217 (sic) other followed. F/O F. Wihak (flying Spitfire JF563 – a.c.) closed from 150 yards to 50 yards astern and scored hits on port side (of the fuselage). F/O Marcel J. Fakhry (RAAF, in JF524 – a.c.) fired from 250 yards, but broke off on receiving return fire (from Dornier). F/Lt John H. Nicholls (in JF413 – a.c.) closed to 30 yards and saw pieces fall off starboard side of fuselage. F/Sgt T.E. Brister (JF342 – a.c.) and F/Sgt MacKay (JF567 – a.c.) also fired. Four seen to bail out, but one parachute didn’t open, aircraft crashed some 18 miles north of Pietre Nere Point (some 8 kilometers west of Termoli – a.c.) and sunk."
JF567was shot down by return fire and crashed into the sea, Canadian F/Sgt Lauchlan B. MacKay remains missing to this day. In the meantime the Croat crew had great difficulties to abandon the aircraft, in the end Jurjević managed to break the upper part of the cabin with his back and enabled the others to bail out at a height of some 600 meters. Senel, Mužić and Adam (severely wounded in both legs, subsequently one of them had to be amputated) were picked up by 284.Sqn Walrus W2797crewed byF/Sgt E.J. Holmes and F/Sgt J.R. Berry. Šime Jurjević fell to his death when his parachute failed to open, as observed by 92.Sqn pilots.

Re: Shared victories, Italy
 

Hi Boris,

Thanks very much for posting that. It makes for interesting reading.
Unfortunately, behind many combat claims there is a tragic story.

Cheers,

Bruce