[Andy Saunders]

Arnaud

I cannot really comment on the Lessines or Tournai crashes as I have no further details.

I will try to find the photos taken at the (other) Allen crash site in Villers-Cernay but I do know that a British team (some years before my vist) removed major portions of the wreckage to the UK. I am not sure who this was, but I have seen photos of it on the internet. I must try to find where.

As to Fg Off Derek Allen, he was certainly shot down and baled out 10 miles NW of Gembloux on 15 May 1940.

He was then shot down and killed (missing) between 0630 and 0700 hours on 18 May in Hurricane P2555. I think I will shortly be able to tell you a little more about his "missing" status.

As to the Neuvilly crash, this was certainly P3533 and its pilot was killed in the incident. His remains were discovered in 2007 and are due to shortly be buried as an Unknown RAF Airman. Excavation there in 2007 confirmed the aircraft to be P3533 and so this substantiates the report you have.

If your local reports confirm 18 May 1940 as the crash date (also established in 1945/6 by MREU from local information) then the puzzle remains; who was the pilot of P3533?

I am inclined to think he is a casualty already buried elsewhere as an identified airman and that the 2007 discovery may well be partial remains of that same man. But.....

Unfortunately, we cannot link P3533 to any squadron and the known pilot casualties that day are limited - thus increasing the puzzle over who he might be.

I believe that the MOD here may well be very interested to see or have access to the official local reports you quote in order to assist them in any further enquiries they may wish to conduct into the identity of the mystery pilot from P3533.