131 Sqn, 3/8/43
 

Hi gents,

Can someone confirm this breakdown of claims for 131 Sqn on this date (10 Group Circus No 49, escorting Whirlwinds to Guipavas a/f, Brest):

S/L JJ O'Meara FW 190 dam

P/O LC Luckhoff 2 FW 190s dam; Spit VB ????? NX-B

F/S RK Parry FW 190 prob; Spit VB AB282 NX-G

F/S AF Tate FW 190 dam

F/S NAA Turnbull (RAAF) FW 190 dam

Missing a/c serials & codes would be appreciated, where known.

Cheers,

Bruce

Re: 131 Sqn, 3/8/43
 

Hi Bruce,

I have F/Sgt. Parry's original combat report for this date if you want a copy? Just pm me your e-mail address and I would be happy to forward it through.

Cheers,

Russ

Re: 131 Sqn, 3/8/43
 

Hi Bruce,
Long time ago, but... Just to let you know about just one Fw 190 found by my friend Jean Tréguer on Plouvien commune, Finistère, Brittany, for that date.

But we ignore the claimer, our task being more which one crashed where ?
Hope this helps
Gildas

Re: 131 Sqn, 3/8/43
 

Thanks Gildas, I just saw your response. Can you post some photos?

Re: 131 Sqn, 3/8/43
 

Bruce,

By now you've probably found the serials you were looking for. If not let me know and I'll post them.

Tom

Re: 131 Sqn, 3/8/43
 

Thanks for the reminder Tom.

O'Meara: Spitfire VC AR500

Luckhoff: Spit VB EP233/B

Parry: Spit VB AB282/G

Tate: Spit VC AB509

Turnbull: Spit VB EP395/D 'Faversham'

Re: 131 Sqn, 3/8/43
 

Thanks, Bruce. I didn't have the code for EP395. AR500 was NX-O.

Regards,
Tom

Re: 131 Sqn, 3/8/43
 

Hi all,
I can add the following detail.
O'Meara: Spitfire VC AR500 'Spirit of Kent'

Luckhoff: Spit VB EP233/B

Parry: Spit VB AB282/G 'Yeoman of Kent'

Tate: Spit VC AB509/F 'Canterbury'

Turnbull: Spit VB EP395/D 'Faversham'

I have photos of some of these pilots if you need one.
Regards
Gerry

Re: 131 Sqn, 3/8/43
 

Bruce,

Thanks for the added details. F/Sgt. A. F. Tate was RNZAF (NZ415387). Do you happen to know what his given names were?

Tom

Re: 131 Sqn, 3/8/43
 

Arthur Frank Tate.

Enjoy!

Frank.

Re: 131 Sqn, 3/8/43
 

Hi Tom,
The photos I have name him as Frank Tate RNZAF.
He painted his car in the same markings as his spitfire.
See the attached photograph q
He is on the left in the photograph with the Spitfire with Smithells on the right.
Regards
Gerry

Re: 131 Sqn, 3/8/43
 

Many thanks for that. The car has only one tail wheel just like the Spit, but there the comparison ends!

Regards,
Tom

Re: 131 Sqn, 3/8/43
 

Thanks for the extra details and photos