Harvard trainer shot down 1940?
 

Hi guys

I have received information that suggests a Harvard trainer encountered a German air-sea rescue aircraft in 1940 - and was shot down!

Any thoughts?


Take care, stay safe
Brian

Re: Harvard trainer shot down 1940?
 

Hi Brian,
I too have read this somewhere, but cannot recall where on line or which book :(
What does come to mind is that these Harvards were used like the Tiger Moths on Coastal Searches In the early war years .
Some 20 +/- Harvards were lost in 1940 all reportedly due to accidents or collisions. Maybe the one you seek got away and returned to Base safely ?
All the very best,
Alex

Re: Harvard trainer shot down 1940?
 

Thanks, Alex

At least there is some substance to the information that I have received.

Do we know which units used Harvards in 1940? Perhaps a trawl of these units' ORBS would provide further information?

Take care, stay safe
Brian

Re: Harvard trainer shot down 1940?
 

Pretty much Brian

1 FTS (from Jan 1939)
2 FTS (from March 1939)
6 FTS (from May 1939)
10 FTS (from March 1939)
11 SFTS (from Oct 1939)
12 FTS (from Jan 1939)
14 FTS (from July 1939)
15 SFTS (from Sep 1939)
(Note FTS became SFTS at some point - can check if you need that)
8 EFTS (from Jan 1940)
CFS (from Jan 1939)
1 E&WS (from Nov 1939)
11 Group Pool (from Sep 1939) became 6 OTU and later 56 OTU
12 Group Pool (from Oct 1939) became 5 OTU and later 55 OTU
2 FPP (from Dec 1940)
3 FPP (from Aug 1940)
various Station Flights (from early 1939)
various Operational Sqds (only issued with one or two)
A&AEE (from Dec 1938)
2 Cam Unit (from Jan 1940)

Cheers
Stig

PS: Forgot to mention that I looked through the old Air Britain booklet and
no specific loss shows what I can see as "being shot down"

Re: Harvard trainer shot down 1940?
 

Many thanks, Stig, much appreciated.

Take care, stay safe
Brian