Spitfire PL 440
 

Hello all,
I'm doing a little research on Spitfire LF Mk IX - PL 440 that was delivered to Casablanca on 22/8/44 and next appeared after a wheels-up landing in a field North of Lyons, France, sometime between the last days of August or very early September.
According to an eye-witness report, the pilot, wearing shorts and a short-sleeved shirt with the words 'New Zealand' on the shoulder, changed his flying helmet for a uniform cap, took a small briefcase out of the cockpit and walked away. He was then apparently helped by the local resistance.

No squadron code or insignia appear on the aircraft.

Can anyone help identify the unit and/or pilot involved in this incident. Thanks.
Ian Stevenson

Re: Spitfire PL 440
 

Can we have a look at the photograph, please?

We are currently discussing this matter on a French forum (thanks to Pierre Babin). The serial is within the batch alloted to the French.

Re: Spitfire PL 440
 

Pierre Babin has been helping me in this search and I've also left messages on the French forum that you mention. Can you confirm on either forum that the serial is within a batch alloted to the French and the source of such information ?
Unfortunately, for the time being, I don't have permission to post the photos which don't belong to me. I will try though. Thanks for your help.
Ian Stevenson

Re: Spitfire PL 440
 

Further question on the markings. It does not appear ortho film was used to take the picture, as the yellow surround on the roundel is light, not nearly black. In that case, did this aircraft carry French Roundels, as that is what the picture appears to indicate.

http://home.earthlink.net/%7Esaeisenman/PL440Mk.IX.jpg

Re: Spitfire PL 440
 

I don't think these are French roundels.
If the pilot did wear a "New Zealand" shoulder badge, it cannot be a "French" Spit.
My two cents: with no code and no individual letter, this is an a/c on a ferry flight. Where to? That's the question.

Re: Spitfire PL 440
 

Not only are the roundels untypical for an RAF aircraft but the colours of the fin flash seem also to be inverted ? Compare with contemporary photo of a Spit at Montelimar in Sept '44.

Does anyone out there have copies of ORB's for the following Spit squadrons for the last week in August - 1st week in September 1944 ?
43, 72, 93, 111, 154, 225, 242, 243 as well of course, as for the 3 RAF/French units 326/327/328.
I'd be interested in any sources of losses from these squadrons during the period.
Thanks,
Ian Stevenson

Re: Spitfire PL 440
 

Wasn't 93 Squadron was still in the Med/Italy in August '44

Jerry

Re: Spitfire PL 440
 

You might find what you are looking for in 341 Squadron (French) Looking at batch numbers allocated to 341 Squadron the following are recorded as losses for 341 Squadron in Fighter Command Losses 1944 for August and September:

PL424 Shot down 14th August - Argetan. Sgt/Chef M Cermalacce
PL395 Shot down Lyons 26th August - Cmdt J Schloeing
PL464 Shot down 16th Sept - Lt. Brunschwig

PL440 Could have been in this batch. 341 Was a Free French Squadron. After covering the Allied landings in France in June 1944, No.341 moved to Normandy in August and arrived in Belgium in September. Also they did not display the usual Squadron recognition letters on the aircraft. The
hope this helps a little.

Jerry

Re: Spitfire PL 440
 

Hi,


I am afraid that it is not an aircraft of 341 sqdn. I have studied this Free french unit since many years with crossing official archives with individual RAF Flying log books. I never saw this A/C in these official or private archives.

Please note that the correct spelling are CermOlacce (Maurice); SchloeSing Jacques-Henri and François Brunschwig.

HTH

Bertrand H

Re: Spitfire PL 440
 

copied the spelling from fighter Command losses - not my mistakes!!
Jerry