Quote:
Originally Posted by Larry Hickey
.....possibly just beginning to leaf at the beginning of spring. Early spring 1941?
|
Hi Larry,
Just want to point out that it could be at least a year earlier than 1941. Hampdens were used for missions to Germany even before the actual war had started in Holland, Belgium and France (10 May 1940), thereby intruding into 'neutral' airspace. These missions included o.a. reconnaisance and leaflet dropping. For the neutral countries s.a. Holland and Belgium these intrusions of their airspace was treated the same way as intrusions by German aircraft and at least 4 British aircraft came down in Holland before 9 May 1940, either shot down by Dutch fighters, flak or otherwise. However, the information that I have does not include a Hampden that came down in Holland or Belgium. I have no information about France.
Btw the picture is still available on the eBay site, although the auction has ended.
Regards
Jos