[ajcrou]

Hello,

I am looking for information concerning the loss of the Flying Officer Peter N. Murton-Neale, of No.615 Squadron, on 13 mai 1940. And more generally biographical details concerning him.

The ORB No.615 Squadron provides little information. Only that : "A patrol was ordered in the evening near Namur, form which F/O Murton-Neale did non return".

I found some more details in some books (CORNWELL, Peter D. The Battle of France, Then and Now and CULL, Brian ; LANDER, Bruce ; WEISS, Heinrich. Twelve Days in May.) : Flying Officer Murton-Neale (Hawker Hurricane Mk I L2035) crashed near Courrière. Believed claimed by Leutnant Marchfelder (Stab II./ZG 1).
Would anyone have more details on this claim and the activity of the Stab II./ZG 1 during this evening of 13 may 1940.

I have, moreover, managed to obtain a copy of Peter N. Murton-Neale - Casualty file (AIR 81/2100). The file includes a report of Pilot Officer John R. Lloyd, which brings some additional details :
- Murton-Neale Hurricane is indicated as : "P2580" and not L2035. I do not know if it's a mistake or not.
- Three Hawker Hurricane of No.615 Squadron take off (Squadron leader Joseph R. Kayll, Flying Officer Peter N. Murton-Neale) and a third not identified in the report) from Vitry-en-Artois.
- Several He.111 were encountered 5 miles west of Huy at 5 000 feet and escaped from the cloud.
- On emerging from the cloud at 17h45, Murton-Neale was not seen.

Would anybody have any additional details (especially on the German side) about the events that led to the loss of Flying Officer Murton-Neale.


Another question, would anyone have biographical information about this pilot (and ideally a photo of him).
I know he joined No.615 Squadron, late 1937 but no other details except the list of his flights (mentioned in the ORB) until the tragic event of 13 May 1940.

Thanks in advance,
Alexis