1940 Hurricane loss photograph - France
 

I chanced upon some interesting original Battle of France (and later) photos of RAF losses today.

One shows a 504 Squadron Hurricane down on a French beach with German soldiers inspecting. It is intact and coded HE - T. It carries the 504 Sqn badge on the white of the fin flash and the 'T' is repeated in white on the cowling between the exhaust stack and spinner. It has the early pole-type aerial mast. There is no sign of damage and no visible serial number.

Any ideas?

Re: 1940 Hurricane loss photograph - France
 

Hi Andy,

Perhaps a hurricane of 'B' Flight of 263 Squadron?
Certainly the coding would suggest that.
However that doesn't account for the squadron badge.

Gerry

Re: 1940 Hurricane loss photograph - France
 

Sorry....!!

Typo.

I meant 605. Its been a long day.

Could it be L2119, Fg Off Forbes, 27 May 1940?

Re: 1940 Hurricane loss photograph - France
 

Hi Andy

To the best of my knowledge 263 Sqn used the code 'HE' at this time, yet according to the ORB there is no mention of them operating over France during the first half of 1940.

Is it possible that one of 263's Hurricanes had been passed onto 605 Sqn and that it hadn't yet been repainted?

(Adendum: I don't think that this was possible either - 263 Squadron were in Norway during May 1940 http://www.epibreren.com/ww2/raf/263_squadron.html)

Any chance at us being able to have a 'squiz' at the photo please?

Kind regards.

Paul

Re: 1940 Hurricane loss photograph - France
 

Some reference sources give HE as being codes worn by 605 Sqn during this period and the 605 Squadron emblem on the tail strip is unmistakably 605 Squadron. Thus, I am convinced that we are looking at a 605 Sqn machine in this instance. I think we can safely rule out 263 Squadron. This is on a sandy English Channel beach, without much doubt.

Re: 1940 Hurricane loss photograph - France
 

Andy,

I hadn't realised that 605 squadron used HE as their squadron code.
I see now that they used it until September 39 when they changed to UP.
Gerry

Re: 1940 Hurricane loss photograph - France
 

Thanks for the info. Andy.

Interesting that both squadrons were using the same code at the same time.

Paul

Re: 1940 Hurricane loss photograph - France
 

I think that happened with quite a few squadrons at one time or another; 92 and 616 come to mind with QJ.

I will try to scan and post a copy of this image in next few days.

Gerry - I think they must have used it a bit past September 1939 as evidenced by this photograph which I am certain is May 1940.

Andy

Re: 1940 Hurricane loss photograph - France
 

Thanks for the offer of posting a scan of the photo Andy.

Paul

Re: 1940 Hurricane loss photograph - France
 

Herwith the image of said photograph....

(I can send you a high-res image, Larry)