Hurricane losses of 229.SQ during mAy/June 1940
 

Hi all,

during the checking photo archive of Hurricane from France 1940, I found this photo of overturned Hurricane with squadron code RE-G.
Have somebody more info about 229.SQ during end May/June 1940?
Based on the info from this page, most of the losses of this squadron was over sea
http://www.epibreren.com/ww2/raf/229_squadron.html

Thanks Faenor

Re: Hurricane losses of 229.SQ during mAy/June 1940
 

....and there is a photo.

Faenor

Re: Hurricane losses of 229.SQ during mAy/June 1940
 

Hi all,

Nobody have info about this Hurri or about 229. SQ during period May-June 1940?

Faenor

Re: Hurricane losses of 229.SQ during mAy/June 1940
 

Here's another picture

Re: Hurricane losses of 229.SQ during mAy/June 1940
 

I think the most likely identification is Hurricane L1802 shot down May 18/1940.
From Battle of France then and now p 312:
The aircraft of Flight Lieutenant Frederick Rosier was also shot down in this attack, exploding and burning. In his memoirs, Be Bold, Rosier describes the attack on page 44:
As the aircraft in the photographs still has its gear down and Dillon was killed during take off and Rosier had to struggle to get his gear up after this attack, it might explain the position of the gear in the picture.

Re: Hurricane losses of 229.SQ during mAy/June 1940
 

Hello Mr.Orwell1984,

thanks for info - do yu have more info about 4 losses of 229. SQ Hurricanes from this day? Or do you recommend some book?

Thanks

Faenor

Re: Hurricane losses of 229.SQ during mAy/June 1940
 

I think he obtained the information from "The Battle of France" by Peter Cornwell.
I just received a copy (it's a massive book) and was going to go through it for pertinent information.
On another thought, in the picture I posted its almost possible to read the serial number behind the code letters. Gave it a shot but my old eyes aren't up to the task.

Re: Hurricane losses of 229.SQ during mAy/June 1940
 

My first stop for the 1940 air campaign is still Battle of France then and now.

And so I'll use it to answer your first question !
from BoFTAN p 312 May 18
229 Squadron B Flight

Hurricane P2729 Shot down in combat with Bf109s of II./JG2 between Brussels and Antwerp and possibly that claimed by Lt. Hepe of 5./JG2 11:50 am Pilot Officer M.A. Bussey baled out and captured. Aircraft a write off

Hurricane P2676 Shot down in air combat with Bf109s of II./JG2 between Brussels and Antwerp and possibly that claimed by Fw. Harbauer of 4./JG2 11:57 am Pilot Officer D de C. C. Gower baled out unhurt. Aircraft a write-off.

Hurricane L1802 covered above (Dillon's loss)

Hurricane (no serial) Exploded under attack by Bf109s of II./JG 26 shortly after takeoff at 3:30 pm Flight Lieutenant F. E. Rosier baled out badly burnt, admitted to field hospital in Frevent. Aircraft a write-off.

On a side note I've found the following page useful in tracking down books on particular RAF squadrons.
http://www.aviationarchaeology.org.u...Squadron-books

Hope this helps a bit!

Re: Hurricane losses of 229.SQ during mAy/June 1940
 

Hello Mr.Orwell1984,

thanks for reply - book Battle of France then and now is in my library and its really a BIG BOOK :-) Unfortunately, I miss there exact description of the situations that happened - like this one, with 229. SQ - from my knowledge, a part of the squadron was sent to France (common practice after 10 of May 1940) and probably during quick start there was all losses described in your previous reply - a real massacre. Is there info about rest of the squadron during this day (return back to England) ....

Thanks

Faenor

Re: Hurricane losses of 229.SQ during mAy/June 1940
 

Not to cast a doubt on the ID, but I blew up the serial number on the overturned 229 Sq Hurricane and the last number looks suspiciously like a "9".
Picture enclosed. This could possibly be P2729, flown by P/O Bussey.
It's possible that he tried to land after the Bf109 attack and overturned on landing, rather than bailing out.
Another point, is that this forced landing looks survivable.