Bill Crawford-Compton April-June 1943
 

I am looking to clarify a couple of statements made about his service at this time. In one it is reported "he quickly tired of flying an armchair and pressed for a return to operations, “in the interim pestering his old C.O. at Biggin Hill ‘for a spare kite’. And three times the latter answered his call". This must refer to Al Deere,was leading the Biggin Hill Wing. I cannot see any flights with 611 Squadron, although I have seen mention he made a damaged claim with 611 on 27 April 1943 (not reflected in the 611 ORB).

The second statement is made on this website:

http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/...re-id138591214

It states that he made two claims in the period after leaving 64 Squadron in March 1943 until 18 June 1943, a probable and a damaged. It also mentions five operational flights rather than the three given in the first statement. He did make two claims with the Hornchurch Wing, one "damaged" flying with 122 Squadron in May 1943 and another "destroyed", flying with 64 Squadron on 27 June (i.e. post-18 June 1943).

Tony Woods lists claims of 1-1-1 on Ramrod 73, 14 May 1943 but FCWD states 1-0-1. AH credits WCdr JR Ratten with a probable shared with PO le Gal and a kill, but FCWD states le Gal and Ratten shared a kill. The damaged was credited to le Gal. The 122 ORB states the shared kill between le Gal and Ratten, and le Gal damaging another fighter. No mention of a second kill to Ratten.

Can anyone add anything to this?

regards

Keith

Re: Bill Crawford-Compton April-June 1943
 

I have since seen that Compton may actually have been flying with 453 Sqn on 27 June 1943 (which would accord with a decoration citation for the "Silver Star"). If so then I wonder if the "Getty Images" is linked to the medal citation and therefore the date (18 June 1943) is suspect...and maybe should be 28 June 1943?

Also that the probable on 14 May may have been credited to Ratten, or perhaps it was a confusion that the kill credited was initially reported as a probable?

regards

Keith