Hurricanes June 1940 France
 

Hi guys

I am endeavouring to establish which German units were engaged with RAF Hurricanes in France June 1940:

2 June: 2 Hurricanes of 501 Sqn were shot down near Hallenpourt circa 0850; 1./JG27 claimed 2 'Spitfires' west of Dunkirk at about the right time.

9 June: 2 Hurricanes of 501 Sqn shot down near Abbeville. Combat with 3/LG2?

10 June: Hurricane of 501 Sqn shot down near Le Mans by Bf109.

11 June: Hurricane of 111 Sqn shot down by Bf109 near Montreuil.

14 June: Hurricanes of 242 Sqn claimed 6 Bf109s shot down.

15 June: Hurricane of 73 Sqn shot down by Bf109

Any help appreciated. Many thanks
Brian

Re: Hurricanes June 1940 France
 

Brian:

I am presumming you checked ATB's Battle Of France?

Re: Hurricanes June 1940 France
 

Hi Brian,
No 501 Squadron didn't meet any EA on the 2nd of June.The loss of two Hurricanes that you mention occured on the 3rd of June P/Os Hairs and Sylvester. And I don't know wich german unit was involved.
Best regards.

Bernard.

Re: Hurricanes June 1940 France
 

Brian,
2 No 501 Squadron Hurricanes were lost on the 8 of june not 9. Sgt Lewis killed.

Regards.

Bernard.

Re: Hurricanes June 1940 France
 

Brian,
On the 15th of June Alex Mc Nay No 73 Squadron is missing. His disparation remains a mistery for during his last patrol there had been not any enemy activity.

Bernard.

Re: Hurricanes June 1940 France
 

Many thanks Bernard,

I shall be visiting the National Archives shortly to re-check the records.

Cheers
Brian

Re: Hurricanes June 1940 France
 

Guys

This is very puzzling since I did what John said, check the Battle of France T&N and this is what Peter says

June 3: 501 Sq, P2867, shot down, pilot unknown
June 8: 501 Sq, s/n unknown, shot down, P/O R.G.Hulse killed
June 10: 501Sq, s/n unknown, shot down, P/O J.A.A.Gibson unhurt
June 11: 111 Sq, nothing!
June 15: 73 Sq, s/n unknown, shot down north of Le Mans, Sgt A.L. McNay wounded

June 3: Which was the second aircraft shot down?
June 8: Which was the second aircraf shot down?
June 11; Which aircraft was this?

Cheers
Stig

Re: Hurricanes June 1940 France
 

Good evening Stig,

On the 3rd of june 1940, 6 Hurricanes A Flight No 501 Squadron were on patrol from "Thelma" (Rouen-Boos) and were engaged at 08H35 at 15000 feet near Allencourt SW of Abbeville by 18 Bf109s.
P/O Sylvester was shot down and baled out injured.
P/O Hairs (Hurricane P2867) managed to force-land at Saint Léger aux Bois near Soissons and was lightly injured.
Two other Hurricanes were damaged and declared unserviceable.

My source is 67 Wing Fighter Report No 1 of 03/06/1940.

Best regards.

Bernard.

Re: Hurricanes June 1940 France
 

Stig,

On the 8th of June 1940, at 13h25 10 miles SE of Abbeville while escorting Fairey Battles, 7 Hurricanes of No 501 Squadron enconter an important formation of Bf109s And Ju87s.
2 Hurricanes are lost and their pilots killed.
P3347 SD-N Sgt Lewis.
P3542 P/O Hulse.

My source is 67 Wing Fighter Combat Report N° 1 08/06/1940.

Cheers.

Bernard.

Re: Hurricanes June 1940 France
 

Bernard

Thank you very much indeed. After seeing your answer I looked into the book Blitzed by Victor Bingham published in 1990 and sure enough in there it says
3rd June, 2 x 501 Sq Hurricanes MIA/FTR
8th June, 4 x 501 Sq Hurricanes MIA

Where are these 67 Wing Combat Reports? In some French archive? I can't understand why this information is missing in the Battle of France then and now?

None of these losses are listed in Franks RAF Fighter Command losses Vol 1, first edition. Are they listed in the updated second edition?

Cheers
Stig