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Churchill, Roosevelt, Stalin and 40 Boston bombers in 1942 – can serials be identified?
In early July 1942, Roosevelt and Churchill requested that Stalin release 40 A-20 Boston light bomber aircraft, which had been intended for transfer to the Soviet Union, in order to replenish the Boston squadrons of the Western Desert Air Force. Stalin, who at that time was seeking friendly relations with Roosevelt, agreed, and the bombers were transferred to the RAF. They were used by units of the South African Air Force (SAAF), and for this reason and others, their serials remain unknown to the present day. Can members help identify these 40 Bostons?
All I have been able to find is the following RAF document, dated 30 October 1942: “we have received from C.O., R.A.F. Station, Shaibah (through A.H.Q. Iraq) copies of agreements signed on behalf of the U.S.S.R. and U.S.A. releasing 40 aircraft as below to the R.A.F. 3 Boston III, forming part of the British commitment to Russia, but not handed over to the Russians; 36 Boston A.20.C., forming part of American commitment to Russia 1 Boston A.20.C. forming part of American commitment to Russia and previously handed over to the Russians. These agreements are merely receipts for the physical transfer of the aircraft under the Lease/Lend programme, and they include details of deficiencies of equipment. The originals of the agreements are being retained at Shaibah, attached to the C.R.Vs bringing the aircraft on R.A.F. charge.” Two questions stem from the text above: 1. Is it known which specific unit at Shaibah oversaw the transfer of these aircraft, or was it perhaps the Station commander? I am seeking to understand which Operational Record Book (ORB) might contain the aircraft serials. 2. What were CRVs and might these documents still be available at The National Archives in Kew, or perhaps at another archive? I have looked through the volumes of the excellent Mediterranean Air War book series in an attempt to identify some of these 40 Bostons among the aircraft lost by the SAAF squadrons. I would be grateful if members commented whether some or all of these individual aircraft belonged to this set of 40: Sunday, 30 August 1942 24 SAAF Sqn Boston III AL787 off from LG. 99 to bomb Fuka-El Rahman road in early hours; shot down while strafing, probably by Flak; Capt J. P. Furstenburg and three KiA Tuesday, 1 September 1942 24 SAAF Sqn Boston III AL674 off to attack MT at El Alamein. Tail blown off by Flak 15m S target at 1821. Observer, Lt A. B. Sluter baled out and PoW; Lt J. A. Pocock and two KiA Thursday, 1 September 1942 24 SAAF Sqn Boston III AL723 ‘Z’ collided with Z2156 and damaged DBR, but returned; Lt F. A. L. de Marrilav and two safe, one injured Sunday, 27 September 1942 24 SAAF Sqn Boston III AL785 ‘S’ one of nine off by night and one of four attacking LG. 13; shot down by Flak over target; Lt G. Cohen and one KiA, two PoW (Night) Saturday, 24 October 1942 12 SAAF Sqn Boston IIIa 41-19402 leading formation hit by Flak over target and crashed 20km W El Alamein 0943; Lt. A. C. E. Glendinning and three PoW Tuesday, 3 November 1942 12 SAAF Sqn Boston III AL270 ‘U’ off 0740 to attack Axis ground forces at El Alamein. Hit by Flak over target, burst into flames and spun into ground and exploded; pilot Lt W. B. Dalglish baled out WiA, but died on 7th as PoW, three crew KiA Sunday, 21 March 1943 12 SAAF Sqn Boston III AL734 shot down by Flak and belly-landed in the desert Some losses in the Mediterranean Air War books are not identified by serial, and of these a few cannot even be identified using the RAF Commands Aircraft Losses Database, based on the files of the late Henk Welting, at https://www.rafcommands.com/database....php?crdb=Henk Can members help and provide the missing Boston serial for the following loss? See below: Thursday, 8 April 1943 24 SAAF Sqn Boston ‘R’ hit by Flak at 1030, crash-landed in Allied lines; Maj Margo and crew safe |
Re: Churchill, Roosevelt, Stalin and 40 Boston bombers in 1942 – can serials be identified?
From "Red Stars" vol 4. Page 199.
The first batch of 44 Boston's were shipped to Russia in late 1941.But only 3 arrived in Murmansk before the New Year,1942. The rest were sent via the Middle East, arriving in Shuaibu(Iraq) in early 1942. According to Contacts these aircraft were Boston III's intended for the RAF. A-20C and DB-7B subtypes were however also observed by the Soviet inspectors. AL263....502 were originally ordered for the Army de LaAir as the DB-7B and subsequently taken over by the RAF as Boston III's.While A-20C's of the range 41-19589 - 19728 were delivered simultaneously. Even a couple of Dutch DB-7C's originally ordered for the Dutch Air Force were included. Some aircraft were re shipped from the UK, but most came from US factories. According to British data, the 1st Middle East deliveries included 32 Boston III's in the AL265 - 330 range and another 45 in the AL675 to 832 range. All of which were originally intended for the RAF and French Air Force but were shipped directly from the USA. 44 specialy equipped Boston III's in transit to the USSR in 1943( in the HK869 - 972 range) were released by the Soviet Commission in Abadan for use by the RAF in the Middle East in exchange for Spitfires. Known Boston deliveries to the USSR. Boston III's: AL263 - 330; AL675 - 832. A20C's: 41- 19589 - 19609; 41 - 19611 - 19631; 41-19645 - 19687; 41-19707 - 19724 (total 103). From AB's "AA100 - AZ999" Boston III's delivered by Boeing, Seattle between November 1941 and May 1942 to Contract F-672. Of 56 delivered to the RAF of a batch of 240, the remainder diverted to the USAA and Russia. The following were RAF sent to the USSR. AL Serial range - 265, 267, 281, 282, 283, 287, 292, 294, 295, 297. Of 240 Boston III's delivered by Boeing between October 1941 and October 1942 to Contract F-719. 74 diverted to USAAF before delivery. The following were RAF sent to the USSR. AL Serial range - 675, 695, 709, 732, 758, 764, 769, 772, 779, 784. 788, 789, 792, 793, 795, 796, 798, 799, 802, 803. 804, 806, 811, 813, 814, 815, 816, 817, 819, 820. 821, 822, 823, 824, 825, 826, 827, 828, 829, 830. 831, 832. Total = 52. Those in the HK Serial number range were - Transferred from Russian deliveries in December 1942, 35 - HK869 to HK903 all to SAAF. 1 - HK912 to SAAF. 1 - HK918 to SAAF. 4 - HK921 to HK924 to SAAF. 2 - HK934, HK935 to SAAF. Hope this is of some use Alex |
Re: Churchill, Roosevelt, Stalin and 40 Boston bombers in 1942 – can serials be identified?
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Of the 40 Bostons in question, three must have been DB-7B, Boston III aircraft from the serial range AL675 to 832 The other 37 must have been A-20C, Boston IIIA aircraft from the U.S. serial range 41-19589 - 19728. Now, the crux of the matter is, how are these 40 aircraft to be identified? Does any forum member have access to SAAF documents which list the serials of aircraft taken on strength of 12 SAAF and 24 SAAF? |
Re: Churchill, Roosevelt, Stalin and 40 Boston bombers in 1942 – can serials be identified?
Dan
To get any further I believe a good starting point is to get the relevant British AM 78 cards and the corresponding US IARCs And before you ask, no I don't have them either, even if I wish I did..... :) Cheers Stig |
Re: Churchill, Roosevelt, Stalin and 40 Boston bombers in 1942 – can serials be identified?
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Thank you for your message. I have seen plenty of examples of the Air Ministry Form 78 (Aircraft Movement Card) and the USAAF Individual Aircraft Record Card (IARC). I also have a copy of Robert A. Mann’s Aircraft Record Cards of the United States Air Force: How to Read the Codes. There is even a YouTube video on the subject, see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Et021XJDoes None of that helps very much in identifying these 40 Bostons, because both the American and the British cards were intended to record the service of a particular aircraft within the USAAF or RAF. Transfers to other air forces are not recorded consistently, or with any clarity even in cases when these are in fact recorded. Since these Bostons were transferred initially from U.S. control to some RAF rear services unit and then to SAAF squadrons, it is not at all likely that the record cards will contain any relevant information. The place to look is either SAAF records, or else the records of the RAF rear services units in Iraq. Have any members of this forum looked at either of these sets of sources? Kind regards, Dan |
Re: Churchill, Roosevelt, Stalin and 40 Boston bombers in 1942 – can serials be identified?
https://i.postimg.cc/cLR6vhMg/SAAF-Boston.jpg
Hello, Above is one list published in the Warpaint series. I also made different lists - by serial and/or code/sqn, mainly from orbs and losses lists, but my computer crashed (literally, in an earthquake), so it will take some time until I found copy of that file(s), on some flash drive or some backup cd. Regards Zoran |
Re: Churchill, Roosevelt, Stalin and 40 Boston bombers in 1942 – can serials be identified?
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All I am saying is that I believe that is the place you need to start. If you get lucky or not is something I don't know.:) Cheers Stig PS: The list provided by Zoran does not entirely fit the list in Brent's book on the SAAF aircraft. |
Re: Churchill, Roosevelt, Stalin and 40 Boston bombers in 1942 – can serials be identified?
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The Warpaint list is an interesting one, though one which sadly casts no light on the fate of the aircraft with U.S. serials. I am very sorry to hear about the problem you have had with your computer. The physical destruction of one's computer in an earthquake is perhaps an unusual cause of data loss, but no more pleasant than any other! Happily, I have found one of your lists on this forum, at http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showpo...84&postcount=5 . From your list, it is clear that the RAF also used some Bostons with U.S. serials, though these A-20C-10 aircraft from the 42-33*** serial range were manufactured in late 1942, so were distinct from the 40 Bostons transferred in July of that year. Kind regards, Dan |
Re: Churchill, Roosevelt, Stalin and 40 Boston bombers in 1942 – can serials be identified?
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Here is a further twist to the tale. The following caption appears in Air Arsenal North America, by Phil Butler and Dan Hagedorn: "Douglas Boston III 119406 coded ‘F’ of No.12 Squadron, SAAF, at Landing Ground ‘Z’ (Mahsma) in the Suez Canal area, about the time of the Battle of El Alamein. This was one of the forty Bostons intended for delivery to the USSR that was repossessed while en-route, for service with the RAF Desert Air Force. This one was allotted the RAF serial number HK899 locally by Air Headquarters in Cairo, although it is not known if that was ever painted on the aircraft. IWM CM4682" That is therefore an aircraft from Zoran's list, which I linked to above, "41-19406/F 12 Sqn SAAF, X.42-III.43." The Warpaint list that Zoran provided does indeed list serial HK899 as assigned to 12 SAAF. Yet, Alex has cited James J. Halley's Air Britain volume as assigning this serial to a batch of Bostons "Transferred from Russian deliveries in December 1942", in exchange for British Spitfires. Hence, it is not at all clear whether 41-19406 and HK899 were in fact one and the same aircraft, or two different ones. Kind regards, Dan |
Re: Churchill, Roosevelt, Stalin and 40 Boston bombers in 1942 – can serials be identified?
Hi Dan
I will be happy to send the pages from Brent's book. Unfortunately he has used a printing company which, in my eyes, were second class, meaning the binding has started to crack and I cannot scan the pages. On the other hand I can use my phone and take pictures. Please send me a PM with your e-mail address and I will get right to it. :) FYI Brent lists no USAAF s/ns, only RAF ones. HK899 and not 119406. Since it was SOC in 1945 I am pretty certain it was painted at some point as HK899 Cheers Stig |
Re: Churchill, Roosevelt, Stalin and 40 Boston bombers in 1942 – can serials be identified?
Hello Dan,
I don't know if you misunderstood my list ? I only gave AL Serial numbers of those that were transferred to the USSR. The only ones I noted that went to SAAF were those in the HK Serial number range that were swapped by the Russians for Spitfires in 1943. IIRC the original enquiry was for details of Bostons that were delivered to the Russians in the early years of WW2. If you have access to "85 Years of the SAAF, all the Bostons are listed therein. Starting with Serial numbers, Squadron's, aircraft fate and losses which have a/c Serial number and crew names. The Serial numbers start with W (3) followed by Z(60), then AL (55) ending with HK (40). All the best Alex |
Re: Churchill, Roosevelt, Stalin and 40 Boston bombers in 1942 – can serials be identified?
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I assume the SAAF did manage to pain the serial on the aircraft before it was struck off charge, but one cannot be sure until there is photographic evidence, which might be difficult to obtain in 2023, a few years after the event :) Kind regards, Dan |
Re: Churchill, Roosevelt, Stalin and 40 Boston bombers in 1942 – can serials be identified?
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I did not misunderstand your list, and I was only looking for the serials of these 40 Bostons which still trouble me :) Only the SAAF aircraft with AL and HK serials would be relevant to my query, since the W and Z serials were all assigned to earlier production blocks. As I understand things at present, following the discussion here, three of the 55 AL serials and 37 of the 40 HK serials should be the aircraft in this group of 40, reassigned from Soviet deliveries in July 1942. This is not definitive, however. I'll wait until Stig sends me the relevant pages of Brent, as he has so kindly promised, before I comment further. There is a separate issue with the second batch of Bostons. To quote your earlier message, Alex, "44 specialy equipped Boston III's in transit to the USSR in 1943(in the HK869 - 972 range) were released by the Soviet Commission in Abadan for use by the RAF in the Middle East in exchange for Spitfires." These were A-20C-10 aircraft from the 42-33*** serial range, and they were indeed used by the RAF, not the SAAF. Their American, and indeed British, serials also remain obscure, though Zoran has identified several. I am interested in these, too, but somewhat less than in the earlier batch, because the later transfer did not merit a correspondence between Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin. Kind regards, Dan |
Re: Churchill, Roosevelt, Stalin and 40 Boston bombers in 1942 – can serials be identified?
Hi Dan,
Details from "85 Years of South African Air Force ". Pages 245 -251. With additional details from AB's "The British Air Commission and Lend- Lease" Boston III(DB-7B). Originally contacted for the Armee de l'Air. AL263 - 336 ....Manufacturer's Serials - 2130 - 2203. AL337 - 502 ....Manufacturer's Serials - 2718 - 2883. AL270 - 24/12 Squadron's AL276 - 24 Squadron Boston III(DB-7B) Originally contacted for the Armee de l'Air. AL668 - 907 .....Manufacturer's Serials - 3600 - 3839(240). AL668 - 12 Squadron AL671 - 12 Squadron AL673 - 24 Squadron AL674 - 24 Squadron AL681 - 12 Squadron AL683 - 24 Squadron AL684 - 12 Squadron AL686 - 24 Squadron AL687 - 24 Squadron AL689 - 24 Squadron AL691 - 12 Squadron AL696 - 24 Squadron AL699 - 12 Squadron AL701 - 12 Squadron AL705 - 12 Squadron AL706 - 12 Squadron AL712 - 12 Squadron AL713 - 12 Squadron AL716 - 24 Squadron AL717 - 12 Squadron AL720 - 12 Squadron AL723 - 24 Squadron AL726 - 24 Squadron AL727 - 24 Squadron AL728 - 12 Squadron AL730 - 12 Squadron AL731 - 24 Squadron AL733 - 24 Squadron AL734 - 12 Squadron AL735 - 12 Squadron AL745 - 12 Squadron AL757 - 24 Squadron AL759 - 24 Squadron AL761 - 24 Squadron AL762 - 24 Squadron AL768 - 12 Squadron AL770 - 24 Squadron AL773 - 12 Squadron AL776 - 12 Squadron AL778 - 24 Squadron AL780 - 12 Squadron AL781 - 12 Squadron AL782 - 12 Squadron AL783 - 12 Squadron AL785 - 24 Squadron AL786 - 12 Squadron AL790 - 12 Squadron AL791 - 24 Squadron AL794 - 12 Squadron AL797 - 12 Squadron AL800 - 24 Squadron AL801 - 24 Squadron AL805 - 12 Squadron AL810 - 12 Squadron AL818 - 24 Squadron ================================================== The following - It was not until late 1942 that the deliveries of Bostons to Britain were resumed. By this time, the deliveries to Britain were being carried out under the terms of Lend-Lease rather than as direct purchases. The aircraft designated for delivery to Britain were given USAAF designations of A-20C and were assigned USAAF serial numbers. They were known as Boston IIIA in RAF service. They were basically similar to the USAAF A-20C, with the exception of the use of British equipment and armament. RAF serials were BZ196/BZ352, BZ355/BZ378, and BZ381/BZ399. Other Boston IIIAs were taken over in the field by the RAF, some of them retaining their original USAAF serial numbers, while others received new RAF serials (HK869, HK870, HK872/HK879, HK912, HK918, HK923, HK924, HK934, HK960, HK962, HK964, HK967, HK969, HK970, HK972, and HK973). Ref: https://massimotessitori.altervista....-20general.htm (Transferred from Russia to SAAF).From my earlier post. 35 Boston III's transferred from Russian deliveries in December 1942. HK869 - 12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF). HK870 - 12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF). HK871 - 12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF). HK872 - 12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF). HK873 - 24/12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF). HK874 - 12 Squadron/114/18. HK875 - 12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF). HK876 - 24 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF). HK877 - 12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF). HK878 - 12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF). HK879 - 12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF). HK880 - 115MU. HK881 - 24/12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF). HK882 - 24/12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF). HK883 - 12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF). HK884 - 12 Squadron/18 HK885 - 24 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF). HK886 - 12 Squadron/5 RFU HK887 - 12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF). HK888 - 24 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF). HK889 - 12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF). HK890 - 24 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF). HK891 - 24 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF). HK892 - 12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF). HK893 - 12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF). HK894 - 24 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF). HK895 - 24 Squadron/4 ADU. HK896 - 12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF). HK897 - 12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF). HK898 - 24/12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF). HK899 - 12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF). HK900 - 12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF). HK901 - 12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF). HK902 - 12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF). HK903 - 24 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF). Transferred from Russian shipment in December 1942. HK912 - 24 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF). HK918 - 24 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF). Transferred from Russian shipment in February 1943. HK921 - 24 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF). HK922 - 24 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF). HK923 - 24 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF). HK924 - 12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF). Transferred from Russian shipment in April 1943 HK934 - 24 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF). HK935 - 12 Squadron ( Transferred from Russia to SAAF). 13 Boston III's transferred from Russian shipment in August and September 1943. HK960 HK961 HK962 HK963 HK964 HK965 HK966 HK967 - 12 Squadron HK968 HK969 - 12 Squadron/114. HK970 - 12 Squadron HK971 - 18 HK972 - 18 Additional HK details from AB's HA100 - HZ999. |
Re: Churchill, Roosevelt, Stalin and 40 Boston bombers in 1942 – can serials be identified?
Dan
Pages sent :) Cheers Stig |
Re: Churchill, Roosevelt, Stalin and 40 Boston bombers in 1942 – can serials be identified?
Hello,
Here are some that reached USSR. 41-19115 861 BAP, 244 BAD, Voronezh front 1.VIII.1942. A-20C Havoc, diverted from British order. Many had Boston IIIA data plates, hence Soviet names B3 aka B-3 aka Boston. 41-19132 861 BAP, 244 BAD, Voronezh front 1.VIII.1942. Diverted from British order. 41-19134 861 BAP, 244 BAD, Voronezh front 1.VIII.1942. 41-19138 861 BAP, 244 BAD, Voronezh front 1.VIII.1942. 41-19153 861 BAP, 244 BAD, Voronezh front 1.VIII.1942. Still in use late 44. 41-19154 861 BAP, 244 BAD, Voronezh front 1.VIII.1942. 41-19256 861 BAP, 244 BAD, Voronezh front 1.VIII.1942. 41-19278 861 BAP, 244 BAD, Voronezh front 1.VIII.1942. 41-19280 861 BAP, 244 BAD, Voronezh front 1.VIII.1942. 41-19290 861 BAP, 244 BAD, Voronezh front 1.VIII.1942. 41-19291 UA-20C for training. 244 BAD, 17 VA, 3rd Ukrainian front late 1944. 41-19320 861 BAP, 244 BAD, Voronezh front 1.VIII.1942. 41-19324 861 BAP, 244 BAD, Voronezh front 1.VIII.1942. 41-19326 861 BAP, 244 BAD, Voronezh front 1.VIII.1942. 41-19346 UA-20C for training. 244 BAD, 17 VA, 3rd Ukrainian front late 1944. 41-19349 861 BAP, 244 BAD, Voronezh front 1.VIII.1942. 41-19592 861 BAP, 244 BAD, Voronezh front 1.VIII.1942. Boeing A-20C-BO Havoc, diverted from British order. 41-19623 UA-20C for training, modified from Boeing A-20C-BO Havoc. 244 BAD, 17 VA, 3rd Ukrainian front. Lost late 1944. 41-19627 UA-20C for training. 244 BAD, 17 VA, 3rd Ukrainian front late 1944. Regards Zoran |
Re: Churchill, Roosevelt, Stalin and 40 Boston bombers in 1942 – can serials be identified?
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Thank you for typing up this information, it is most helpful to have it here within the thread, for future reference. I took a moment to read through the Boston section of Air Arsenal North America again, and found that Phil Butler matched 35 British HK serials from the July 1942 batch to U.S. serials, as follows: “The RAF also received further Bostons in the Middle East, by the transfer or approximately 40 A-20Cs intended for delivery to Russia via the ‘South Russia’ route through Abadan. These were transferred (with Stalin’s agreement) during the build up to the Battle of El Alamein. These aircraft were allotted numbers in the HK batch given lo the RAF HQ in Cairo for ‘local acquisitions’ and included HK869 to HK903, HK912, HK918, HK921 to HK924, HK934 and HK935. Ironically, many of these were from the Defense Aid contract that had matched the original allocation of BZ serial numbers. These aircraft equipped Nos 12 and 24 Squadrons, SAAF, in the Desert Air Force. HK870 to HK872 were ex 41-119108, -111916 and -110127, HK874 to HK903 were ex 41-119236, -119242, -119245, -119247, -119268 to -119271, -119306, -119307, -119316, -119318, -119325, -119326, -119289, -119329, -119344, -119345, -119355, -119366, -119386, -119391, -119398, -119406, -119419, - 119135, -119437 and -119475. HK912, 918, 934, and 935 were ex 41-119286, -119146, -119206 and -119394. The similar batch HK960 to HK972 includes the examples 42-33208, -33215, -33216, -33224, -33232, -33270, -33280, -33290, -33293, -33303 and -33313 (plus one unidentified) which were transferred from USAAF stocks in the Middle East, rather than from the USSR.” Looking at the information in Winston Brent’s book, some of the following six aircraft could be among the five additional aircraft that are needed to make up the July 1942 total of 40 transferred aircraft: HK869 – no U.S. serial assigned by Butler – 12 SAAF – overshot landing at Hal Far 17.08.43 HK873 – no U.S. serial assigned by Butler – 12 SAAF – tyre bust on take-off, swung, dbr Hal Far 23.07.43 HK921 – no U.S. serial assigned by Butler – 24 SAAF – NFD (no further details) HK922 – no U.S. serial assigned by Butler – 24 SAAF – NFD (no further details) HK923 – no U.S. serial assigned by Butler – 24 SAAF – NFD (no further details) HK924 – no U.S. serial assigned by Butler – 12 SAAF – NFD (no further details) I am not fully convinced by the matches made by Phil Butler, who was perhaps making the best job he could of the vague information on the relevant AM78 cards. Provisionally, my conclusion is that all 40 Bostons, the 37 A-20Cs and the three DB-7Bs, were assigned HK serials. However, it is clear that many of them flew with U.S. serials and single SAAF Squadron code letters for an extended period of time, so definitively matching the U.S. and SAAF serials of these aircraft may be very difficult indeed. Kind regards, Dan |
Re: Churchill, Roosevelt, Stalin and 40 Boston bombers in 1942 – can serials be identified?
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Pages gratefully received :) You will see that in my reply to Alex, just above, I made the best guess I could concerning the identity of the 40 Bostons, after looking at the images that you sent me. I stress that my conclusion is provisional. Cheers, Dan |
Re: Churchill, Roosevelt, Stalin and 40 Boston bombers in 1942 – can serials be identified?
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Several hundred Bostons originally intended for Britain, and carrying Boston Mark III or Mark IIIA data plates, were sent to the USSR. These were exported directly from the U.S. to the Soviet Union, so they do not appear in British records, or at least in any records that are presently known. The British serials which were provisionally assigned to these aircraft, mainly from the BZ block, were 'not taken up', as the contemporary phrase went. Kind regards, Dan |
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