Sqn Ldr White 74 Sqn 23 May 1940
 

Unfortunately, can't made head nor tail out of 74's ORB for 23 May 1940.

Any idea who his Red 2 and Red 3 were prior to him force landing at Clairmarais.

Kind regards

Andy Bird

Re: Sqn Ldr White 74 Sqn 23 May 1940
 

Hello Andy,
Did you see the page that had the following ?
23/5/40
K9875 - S/L. White - 1440 - 1640.
K9992 - F/L. Treacy - 1440 - ------ - Missing, believed shot down.
L1089 - P/O. Stephen - 1440 - 1630.
K9871 - F/O. Mungo-Park - 1440 - 1623 - wounded, landed OK at Rochford.
K9951 - Sgt. Skinner - 1440 - 1630.


23/5/40
N3243 - White - rescued (?).
24/5/40
N3243 - P/O. Aubert - up 1440 ( BUT P9441 ? ).
K9321 - Hoare - Pow - ( BUT P9321 ? ).

It does seem odd, but due to the time of these events it is understood that errors were made.

You will know this but just added it for interest.
54 Sqn 23/5/40
Deere ( N3180 ) and Allen ( P9389 ) escorted Leathart in Master N7681 to rescue White.
Also of interest is that Cpl. Higginbotham (Fitter/1 ) and Lac. Cressey ( Fitter/2 ) were dispatched by air to France to repair White's aircraft.
Theirs is another story. But in what aircraft were they transported ?

Alex

Re: Sqn Ldr White 74 Sqn 23 May 1940
 

Trouble is they were more interested in flying and combat than recording the minutiae. Are there any combat reports?

Re: Sqn Ldr White 74 Sqn 23 May 1940
 

Hi Andy

Red2, red 3 or another ?

https://www.ebay.de/itm/Frankreich-S...oAAOSwtZ1fMYlD

Bertrand

Re: Sqn Ldr White 74 Sqn 23 May 1940
 

“ Cpl . Higginbotham and LAC Cressey , went over in a Blenheim to repair ..”


I Fear No Man: The Story of No. 74 (Fighter) Squadron Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force (The Tigers).

Re: Sqn Ldr White 74 Sqn 23 May 1940
 

I have not seen the whole book but it mentions Hoare Ans Higginbotham pow and Cressy Missing

Re: Sqn Ldr White 74 Sqn 23 May 1940
 

I think it might be
G J
Last name
Higginbotham
Service number
564208

Re: Sqn Ldr White 74 Sqn 23 May 1940
 

564208 George John HIGGINBOTHAM

Re: Sqn Ldr White 74 Sqn 23 May 1940
 

Turns out Cressey POW so maybe
J B
Last name
Cressey
Service number
569878

Re: Sqn Ldr White 74 Sqn 23 May 1940
 

Which would make him John Bernard Cressey
Service number
569878

Re: Sqn Ldr White 74 Sqn 23 May 1940
 

HI,
in Simon parry's Book "DUNKIRK - Air Combat Archive " he shows White's combat report which gives Red 2 as F/O. W E G Measures finishing off the Hs126 but no mention of Red 3

Bruce Lander

Re: Sqn Ldr White 74 Sqn 23 May 1940
 

Re: Sqn Ldr White 74 Sqn 23 May 1940
 

Thanks guys truly amazing, after posting found one Measures.

Allens combat report exists for this incident.

Can add Blenheim came from 600 Sqn flown by Smith, radiator stored in bomb bay two cans of glycol and a bag of tools taken on board. LAC Lawer volunteered as WAG. In France left engines running whilst fitter and rigger jumped out with kit, then unhinged rad from bomb bay.

Then pick up with a Major Fountain airfield OC AA Batt.

Spitfire undercarrige buckled - airmen issued with rifles as Germans have paddled across canal. Skirmishes taking place main body of troops to head north. Airmen stay put with Lysander unit, await Blenheim's return.

Then Douglas Hoare's diary:

25th May 1940: Spitfire holed in radiator so decided to land at airfield were Leathart snatched White from the previous day. Landed, Higginbottom and Cressay came running to my aid. Both could have left at 0430 with 4 Sqn but stayed. F/O Falconer of 4 Sqn setting fire to DH 89, Lysander, and 5000+ gallons of aviation fuel.

Shots being fired from treeline, run into undergrowth then make our way to Dunkirk. Unable to get lifted from beaches and are captured by SS Panzer Group then marched virtually all the way to Germany.

Kind regards

Andy Bird

Re: Sqn Ldr White 74 Sqn 23 May 1940
 

Was it Flight Lieutenant Edward Stanley Smith of 600 Sqn?

Re: Sqn Ldr White 74 Sqn 23 May 1940
 

Smith with Lawler in 600 Sqn Blenheim a/c "E" , made two trips to Calais from Horn church that day. In simple terms one in daytime and one in the evening..

Found one "E", but may not be the one ?
L1403

Re: Sqn Ldr White 74 Sqn 23 May 1940
 

Edgar Stanley Lawler?

Re: Sqn Ldr White 74 Sqn 23 May 1940
 

Paul thats the chap

Andy B

Re: Sqn Ldr White 74 Sqn 23 May 1940
 

Pretty chaotic at the French airfield can understand how the pair seemingly missed the return flight. As both fitter and rigger were posted as 'missing' but then can't fathom why neither jumped aboard one of 24 Sqn's Tiger Moths or 4 Sqn Lysanders or two Rapids that came in to take last of II Corps junior ranks out.

Andy