Navy aircrew on convoy JW58
 

Francis Temple-West and Frank Outwin were both awarded the DSC for their part in this convoy. I have been able to match all the other pilots and aircrew receiving decorations to the shooting down of enemy aircraft or attacks on U-boats, but I can't find a mention of these two. I know that a German Ju88 was shot down by wildcats on 2 April are these the missing claimants?

Outwin was a veteran fighter pilot so I am assuming he was with one of the wildcat flights.

Temple-West seems to have been a former RAF pilot, receiving a short service commission in 1936.

Re: Navy aircrew on convoy JW58
 

Hello Keith,

From Convoyweb,
JW58
27th March 1944 Loch Ewe to 4th April 1944 Kola Inlet.
HMS Activity and HMS Tracker.

From "The Squadrons of the Fleet Air Arm"
819 and 846 Squadrons FAA.
819 Wildcats shot down 4 e/a's.
846 Avengers attacked six U Boats plus two on the return voyage.

From "Fleet Air Arm Aircraft 1939 to 1945"

30/3/44
Wildcat IV FN135 "Q" ( Lt JG Large ) 819 shared a Ju88 with Wildcat IV FN122 "P" 819 ( S/L RKL Yeo ).

31/3/44
Wildcat V JV391 "S" ( S/L LAS Swift ) ( HMS Activity ) 819 shared a Fw200 with wildcat V JV522 "R" 819 ( pilot ?).

31/3/44
[ 2nd claim ] Wildcat V JV391 "S" ( S/L BH Beeston ) shared a Fw200 with JV522 "R" ( pilot ?).

31/3/44
Wildcat V JV485 ( S/L GC Debney or S/L RH Meed ) ( HMS Tracker ) 846 shared a Fw200 with JV490 846 ( pilot ?).

1/4/44
Wildcat V JV512 ( pilot ?) 846 ( HMS Tracker ) shared a Bv138 with Wildcat IV FN135 "Q" 819 ( Lt PE Scott ).

3/4/44
Wildcat V JV512 ( pilot ?) 846 ( HMS Tracker) shared in the sinking of U-288 with Avenger FN869 "4G" 846
( Lt JS Toner, Lt RA Woodward & LA JA Greenfield ) and Swordfish LS373 "C" 819 ( HMS Activity )
( Lt S Brilliant, S/L H Chadwick both awarded DSC; PO J Perry awarded DSM ).
(S/L GW McCabe MID ).

the above may help fix the aircraft to the pilots you mention.
S/L FG Outwin is linked to Hurricane NF672 and Widgeon FP466 . Nothing on the other one.

All the best
Alex

Re: Navy aircrew on convoy JW58
 

Cheers Alex.

Ray Sturtivant's book on FAA aircraft has provided me with the details you've written. Unfortunately he doesn't mention the kill on 2/4/1944.

Temple-West seems was a pilot but he isn't linked to either of the squadrons in the books I have. I am sure I have encoutered Outwin before but can't remember where, so I am looking through all my sources.

The fact that they received DSCs indicates a significant event and the killl is the only one I don't have linked to pilots/aircrew who received awards, but I can't get confirmation.

regards

Keith

Re: Navy aircrew on convoy JW58
 

Are these pages of the London Gazette the awards for that action?
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issu...pplements/3341
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issu...pplements/3342

There is a

both listed as getting Mentions in Despatches, not DSC. Were the DSC's awarded later?

Note that in this 1947 listing, Temple-West, does not have the letters DSC listed after his name
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/37940/pages/1855

Re: Navy aircrew on convoy JW58
 

Yep. Sorry for the error. I was reading the LG page wrong.

regards

Keith