|
Re: SOC Seagull lost July 1942 USS WICHITA
Hello,
Perhaps it did happen,
In David Irving's "The Destruction of Convoy PQ17"
Fairbanks notes that a USS Wichita young Ensign in charge of 15 armed guards was aboard the "William Hooper", (perhaps they were "Wichita" men as well ?).
Also that there were NO reconnaissance flights for several days prior to the 4th as there had been an accident ( on shore ?).
Was this an RAF Squadron or RAF Catalina Flight accident or a Russian recon aircraft accident ?
Would USN airmen have been involved with either or were there US Navy Recon aircraft in Russia at this time ?
The Royal Navy did have the use of Catapult Flights and Cam-ship Hurricanes, Swordfish, Fulmars and Walrus aircraft, one of which had to be taken in tow at one stage. But again I do not think that any of these would have had USN airmen crew.
Maybe a Walrus as they began as the Seagull and there may have been some confusion ?
Alex
|