Hap Kennedy in 185 Squadron
 

According to Aces High Kennedy made two claims on this date. A Bf109 of 2. H/14 piloted by Ltn Friedrich Zander on an early sortie, and a Mc202 from an unidentified unit later. The first is claimed as a share with his wingman. The second an individual claim. However 185 Squadron log states both were shared with his wingmen, confusingly both named as Sinclair. The 109 with PO Sinclair, the Macchi with FSgt Andrew L Sinclair (who would later fly alongside Kennedy in 401 Sqn 1944). Can anyone clarify this?

best regards

Keith

Re: Hap Kennedy in 185 Squadron
 

"The first is claimed as a share with his wingman. The second an individual claim" in my copy it's the other way around ???
Spitfires over Sicily pp.68-69
Bf 109 Canadian P/O Red Sinclair [as Sinclair D. in the index] claimed a share, in fact fired (and missed) at Kennedy's Spit.
MC202 Flt Sgt A.L. Sinclair
For the MC202 half-share see also : http://www.cieldegloire.com/003_sinclair_a_l.php
For the RCAF Sinclairs
http://rcafassociation.ca/uploads/ai.../ALPHA-SI.html

Re: Hap Kennedy in 185 Squadron
 

I have mislead my copy of "Spitfires over Sicily" (it's in the attic with hundreds of other books, two Japanese soldiers and Lord Lucan I suspect ;)). Thanks for clearing that up I had all sorts of explanations for the error but your input has put them to bed. However Aces High does state the Macchi was shared and the 109 not, so I assume the 185 Sqn log was at fault and never corrected.

I decided to do more digging and....

According to the Canadian list Duncan Sinclair (who joined 185 in February 1943) had two kills before being shot down and POW. One of these is a Ju88 (23 January 1944) with 185 Squadron, the second an Hs126 on 26 May 1944 and so he is not credited officially with the shared kill in the diary log on 10 June 1943. (Incidentally he is the squadron diarist at the time ;). Another TOE addition perhaps?

best regards

Keith

Re: Hap Kennedy in 185 Squadron
 

Hi,

From AIR 27/1140 for 10 June 1943, first the Bf 109 and then the Macchi C.202:

14:00-15:30: "F/O. Kennedy selected one of them and chased it down to 1000 feet. Strikes were seen on the engine and on the port radiator. Glycol and black smoke poured from the enemy aircraft. P/O. D. Sinclair continued the attack until all his ammunition was used up. F/Sgt. A.L. Sinclair also fired at the same aircraft until his cannons jammed. No claims were made. Enemy casualty was confirmed from other sources."

17:00-17:50: "F/Sgt. A.L. Sinclair scored hits on port wing. Sgt. G.R. Roberts delivered an ineffective burst. F/O. Kennedy closed at 200 yards from underneath and continued firing until the enemy aircraft became enveloped in flame."

Cheers,
Andrew A.
Air War Publications - www.airwarpublications.com/earticles

Re: Hap Kennedy in 185 Squadron
 

Another bit of confusion... from his DFC citation.

"On June 10th, 1943 through his leadership two enemy fighters were destroyed, this officer claiming half Messerschmitt 109 and half MC.202 bringing his personal score to five enemy aircraft destroyed".

So it seems officialdom awarded Sinclair a share in the first kill, even if Kennedy was less certain.

regards

Keith