Re: Fairy Battle forced landed SW of Rheims May 1940
 

Hi all,

I am afraid I have very little information apart from.

A brand new Battle aircraft arrived from the UK in May 1940 at a unknown RAF Advanced Landing Ground SW of Rheims, it was being flown by a junior pilot, and he forgot to place the undercarriage down on his approach.

The pilot did walk away, and that's all I know, would anyone have any thoughts on this incident?

Sorry for the lack of info.

Thanks

Danny

Re: Fairy Battle forced landed SW of Rheims May 1940
 

In these cases, I always think its good to know the source of this observation? Was it an RAF veteran on the field or an Army veteran nearby or some other source or observer.

How did the source know the pilot was a junior officer etc.

Re: Fairy Battle forced landed SW of Rheims May 1940
 

Mindful what was going in France at this time, as Dennis says, without something concrete, even a crumb, it is a very small needle in a haystack

Re: Fairy Battle forced landed SW of Rheims May 1940
 

Danny,

It was probably Battle L5452, being flown by Sgt. Francis Abbott Evans of 4 (Continental) Ferry Pilot's Pool based at Cardiff. When being landed at Pouan-les-Vallees (Aube department), south of Reims, on 19 May 1940 the Battle ran into Anson R3341 (also of 4 (C.) F.P.P.). The pilot was unhurt and the Battle was sufficiently repaired to be flown back to England at some point.
The main source for this is the 4 (C.) F.P.P. Operational Record Book (AIR 29/458)at The National Archives in London.

A second Battle was lost this day, also of 4 (C.) F.P.P., when L5325 was damaged landing at Beauvais airfield (Oise), west-north-west of Reims. It was later abandoned. Apparently a wheel locked and the aircraft swung, a tyre came off and an oleo leg was damaged. Pilot was Sgt. Allan Black.

Regards,

Martin Gleeson.

Re: Fairy Battle forced landed SW of Rheims May 1940
 

Thanks guys,

The source was C. Foxley-Norris book. He mentions it when serving with 13 Sqn in France.

Great help, cheers!

Danny

Re: Fairy Battle forced landed SW of Rheims May 1940
 

Doesn’t match with the undercarriage not being locked down though?

Re: Fairy Battle forced landed SW of Rheims May 1940
 

Blast, you are right Chris! LOL

Re: Fairy Battle forced landed SW of Rheims May 1940
 

226 Sqn were based here for a period of time, were they not? I can check their ORBS for May. Will take a look today.

Re: Fairy Battle forced landed SW of Rheims May 1940
 

I have looked at 226 Sqn ORBs for May 1940, and they show that on the 20 May 40 they had 7 new aircraft arrive from the UK. No mention of undercarriage failure, or pilot error.

However, it does say a squadron Battle was lost in action on the day before. No list of these aircraft serial Nos.

Thanks

Danny