RAF claims Colombo/Trincomalee April 1942
 

Hello,

I am interested in the names of allied pilots (30, 258, 261, 273 Sqns RAF) who made claims against the Japanese during the Colombo and Trincomalee raids (5th and 9th April 1942)? There seems to be differing tallies and credits between various published sources and online material. Bloody Shambles Vol 2 has an excellent overview, however, the credits are not entirely clear especially for those who claimed probables and damaged. Any help appreciated.

If I have transcribed correctly, below are a summary of RAF results (claims by 803/806 Sqns RN excluded) from the Ceylon raids. Some of the individual credits apparently do not correlate with the squadron tallies. Information sourced from Bloody Shambles Vol 2, Aces High and Those Other Eagles. I would welcome any further detail/addition/correction regarding probable and damage claims made by pilots of 30 Sqn, 261 Sqn and 273 Sqn.

Regards, Drew H

5 April 1942
30 Sqn RAF initially credited with 11:7:5, later revised to 14:6:5.
3:0:0 B - P/O J.A. Whalen
1:0:0 B - F/Lt R.T.P. Davidson
2:0:0 B - P/O A. Wagner
1:0:0 B - P/O D.A. McDonald
2:0:0 u/k F/O R. Allison
1?:0:0 u/k Sgt A.J. Browne
1:0:0 F - F/Lt R.T.P. Davidson
2:0:0 F - F/Sgt T.G. Paxton
2:0:0 F - P/O G.E. Caswell
1?:0:0 F - Sgt R.L. Davies

258 Sqn RAF credited with 4:1:4
1:0:0 B - F/Lt S.R. Peacock-Edwards
1:0:0 B - S/Ldr P.C. Fletcher
1:0:1 B - F/Lt D.J.T. Sharp
1:0:0 B - P/O C. Campbell-White
0:0:1 B - P/O A. Brown
0:0:1 B - P/O D.B.F. Nicholls
0:0:1 B - Sgt R. Thain
0:1:0 F - F/Lt S.R. Peacock-Edwards

9 April 1942
261 Sqn RAF tally listed as 8:4:6 including 4 bombers + 4 fighters destroyed; 1 bomber + 3 fighters probable; 5 bombers + 1 fighter damaged. At least one other source has tally at 8:0:12 and another at 14:14:3!
1:0:0 B - F/Lt R.B. Cleaver
0:2?:0 B - F/Sgt J.D. Martin
0:1?:0 B - Sgt D.D.P. Bowie
0:3?:1? B - P/O R.G. Hall
0:0:2 B - P/O E. Mayes
2:0:0 B - F/Sgt C.J. Gauthier
2:0:0 F - F/Lt D. Fulford
1:1:0 F - Sgt L.T. Rawnsley
1:0:0 F - F/O C.F. Counter
0:1:0 F - F/O J.V. Marshall
0:1?:0 F - Sgt A.T. Warnick
0:1:1 F - Sgt K.A.S. Mann

273 Sqn RAF apparent tally of 1:3:2, all bombers
1:0:1 Lt P.E.I. Bailey
0:1:0 S/Lt N.A. Neal
0:1:0 Lt P.P. Nelson-Gracie
0:0:2 u/k

Re: RAF claims Colombo/Trincomalee April 1942
 

Hi Drew,

I can't really help you with your query but was wondering if P/O DA McDonald was actually DK 'Big Mac' McDonald, DSO, DFC (RAAF 402748)? He served 30 Sqn 2/42-3/43 & was CO 134 Sqn 5/44-4/45.

Cheers, Bruce

Re: RAF claims Colombo/Trincomalee April 1942
 

Hi Bruce,

30 Squadron had two McDonalds at this time. Same first names, same spelling of surnames and both Pilot Officers!

P/O Donald K. McDonald RAAF (402478) known as ‘Aussie Mac’
P/O Donald A. McDonald RCAF known as ‘Canada Mac’

‘Canada Mac’ was airbourne on April 5th, am not sure if ‘Aussie Mac’ also saw action during the raid.

Drew

Re: RAF claims Colombo/Trincomalee April 1942
 

Hi Drew,

I'd thought perhaps the second initial was a typo; thanks for clearing that up.

Cheers, Bruce