who shot down Sgt. James McCairns on 6 July 1941?
 

Hi guys

Can anyone shed light on who shot down the famous RAF pilot Sgt. James McCairns on 6 July 1941 while he was flying a sweep with Douglas Bader?

After searching the forum I found only one mention. Could anyone point me in the direction of the Luftwaffe unit involved, or indeed does anyone know exactly who shot him down? Are there books or articles I can read bout 616 Sqn?

Secondary and primary sources most welcomed

TIA
Rich

Re: who shot down Sgt. James McCairns on 6 July 1941?
 

There were at least 7 Spitfires lost that afternoon. Stab/JG 2 claimed two, I./JG 2 three, III./JG 2 one, I./JG 26 four, II./JG 26 one and III./JG 26 two. Most have no or vague locations. Graham Pitchfork wrote a history of 616 Sqn which just states Cairns crash-landed on the beach at Dunkirk which doesn't help further
Why was he famous? Just because he escaped?

Re: who shot down Sgt. James McCairns on 6 July 1941?
 

Chris
He was hiding at Cafe Rene.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_McCairns

Re: who shot down Sgt. James McCairns on 6 July 1941?
 

Famous enough to have a Wikipedia listing

Re: who shot down Sgt. James McCairns on 6 July 1941?
 

Famous is defined as known about by many people. I now know about him! As to locations, the only ones are 30km N Grand Fort Philippe , 10km E.Dover, Socx, Houthem, NW Dunkirk & Wormhoudt

Re: who shot down Sgt. James McCairns on 6 July 1941?
 

Maybe 'famous' is the wrong word Chris. He was certainly highly decorated, and after escaping he joined No. 161 Squadron at RAF Tempsford flying special duties Lysanders.

I'm asking because I have just acquired the photos that turned up a few years ago of him being captured, plus his wrecked Spitfire.

Re: who shot down Sgt. James McCairns on 6 July 1941?
 

oh - his crash-site is stated as Gravelines-Dunkerque if that helps.

Any mention of the combat on 6 July 1941 in Caldwell? Has anyone written a detailed chronological history of JG2?

I guess there must be mentions of this date also in the Wingleader BoB archive series?

I don't currently have access to any of these books so if anyone can check I'd be grateful.

Re: who shot down Sgt. James McCairns on 6 July 1941?
 

Rich-send me an email. Nothing to add from Caldwell nor Erik's history of JG 2. Nothing from Wing Leader as this loss was a year after the BofB.......!!

Re: who shot down Sgt. James McCairns on 6 July 1941?
 

An aside, if I may. Wikipedia entries are vetted by no one. Unlike a print encyclopedia where actual names and specialties are listed, anyone can add or subtract anything. To give an example, my company has a Wikipedia entry that is filled with false and misleading information. We made an attempt to submit a revised and accurate entry but it was removed and replaced with the original problematic entry.

Re: who shot down Sgt. James McCairns on 6 July 1941?
 

Well, this is both to advantage and disadvantage. Quality of printed sources is not necessarily better, but there are some problems with updating Wiki. Also various language versions may differ substantially.

Re: who shot down Sgt. James McCairns on 6 July 1941?
 

I agree with Ed, some sources are completely worthless, such as wikipedia.

Re: who shot down Sgt. James McCairns on 6 July 1941?
 

Wikipedia is like any other written source, you check the sources and if none are cited then you can safely dismiss it.

Re: who shot down Sgt. James McCairns on 6 July 1941?
 

Franek,

I strongly disagree. Any source produced by anonymous persons is immediately suspect. Print encyclopedias are produced by companies that do fact checking. The publishers must have high standards to maintain their reputations going forward. It can't be any other way.

Wikipedia is a deformed method of passing on knowledge. Without expert review, it cannot be trusted as a print encyclopedia would.

Re: who shot down Sgt. James McCairns on 6 July 1941?
 

Oh, you do have authors at Wikipedia, although hidden by nicks, sources are also listed, as well as you can browse history of changes. You cannot see that in printed encyclopedia. The problem is with their QC, some chaos in the articles, no cross check between various language versions, and sometimes, a political bias.

I can assure you I have seen so much pure BS & crap in respected printed books, that I certainly do not consider paper and ink a proof of anything, but a possible use for fish & chips due to lack of printed newspapers.