RAF fighter losses on the 03.06.40
 

Hello,

I`m looking for RAF fighter losses suffered on the 03.06.40. Now I have:
- 2 Hurricanes from the 17 Sqn (one damaged) over Dunkirk
- 2 Hurricanes from the 501 Sqn lost to 9/JG53
- 1 Hurricane from the 73 Sqn lost to 8/JG53
I wonder if anybody could add any details to above-mentioned losses or others losses?

Regards

Robert

Re: RAF fighter losses on the 03.06.40
 

Hello Robert,

Here are a few informations.

No 17 Squadron :
On the 3rd of june 1940 at 07h30, nine No 17 Squadron Hurricanes took off from Manston to patrol Dunkerque in company of No 145 and 143 squadrons. Near Dunkerque, yellow section led by F/O Meredith attacked 12 Ju87 and a Bf109. In the ensuing combat, F/O Meredith was posted missing while P/O Hanson’s Hurricane was damaged himself being wonded in the left leg.
Source : No 17 Squadron ORB.

No 501 Squadron :

Combat and operations report , 3rd june 1940.
« Twelve machines again carried out patrols from THELMA. At 08.35. « A » Flight , flying at 15,000 feet near Hallencourt, S.W. of Abbeville, were engaged by 18.Me.109’s. There were
A.A. bursts near our machines ; it is suggested that these were intended to indicate our position to enemy fighters, wich dived out of the sun from 20,000 feet and started a « dog fight » .
One pilot saw a He.113, wich did not enter the combat. Enemy aircraft were only seen by our pilots just before opening fire, and were extremely difficult to shake off, as after attacking they employed the manœuvre of climbing back into the sun in such a way as to make it impossible to see and recognize them. One pilot was shot down by a forward cannon and left his machine by parachute ; he tore the muscles of his back in landing and was taken to hospital. Another force landed in a field with wheels up after his machine had been damaged by cannon fire and although suffering slight abrasions from splinters , was able to return to unit. An aircraft received damage to the starboard wing and tank , and to port wing and pitot tube. A bullet also penetrated the port wing of another aircraft.
AIR 35/252.

For now, I don’ t know who was the pilot who baled out.
The one who force-landes was P/O Hairs ( P2867 ) at St Léger aux bois near Soissons.
THELMA was the code name for Rouen-Boos.

No 73 squadron :
P/O Ian Hawken is killed during a patrol.
No more details for now.

Cheers Bernard.

Re: RAF fighter losses on the 03.06.40
 

Hi Bernard,

thanks for this.

Regards

Robert