[Martin Gleeson]

Here is my take on these three losses (combining the threads here and on the RAF Commands forum).
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I think ‘THE GREATEST SQUADRON OF THEM ALL’, Vol. 1 is one of the best RAF unit histories and that the authors did an excellent job. However when it came to 5/7 October 1940 they were hampered severely by the 603 Squadron ORB itself and that the release of the AIR 81 personnel casualty files was in the distant future.
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The 603 Squadron F.540 for October 1940 seems to be missing and the F.541 only records operational sorties. Furthermore only one mission for October 7th is recorded (1544-1645 hours). Neither Matthews nor Strawson are mentioned because it seems they were lost on a morning patrol. Just to show how suspect the F.541 is, on the same page a mission for October 8th is placed above that of the 7th ! None of the three men feature in that mission list either so it probably was for the 8th and not the 6th . Also all bar two patrols listed in the F.541 for the entire two months of September and October 1940 are at squadron strength. I suggest many smaller size patrols and scrambles were not recorded and like quite a few other F.541s that it was compiled weeks after the events.
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I agree with Paul about the AIR 81 files. Quite often for 1939-1940 (at least) these AIR 81 files – or the F.1180 aircraft accident cards – are the only official contemporary evidence for the loss of an aircraft or airmen. In my experience, having seen hundreds of AIR 81 files, the serials often appear with typos as in the case of ‘K9087’ here for K9807. Equally many dates as listed can be out by a day or more. However it is much rarer for the serial to be wrong and to be able to prove it is wrong.
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Paul rightly cautions about data plates and identity for the aircraft excavated at Godmersham Park. It is noteworthy that Peter Cornwell in ‘THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN, THEN AND NOW’ (1987/1989) writes in some detail about the excavation and objects found for the Matthews aircraft (‘N3109’)at Godmersham Park, but no mention of data plates, etc. If such had been found it was Peter’s practice to note this as positive proof of the aircraft identity.
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In passing I would also refer to an article about John Strawson in the September 2001 issue of ‘FLYPAST’ magazine by Mark Whitnall. He writes that Strawson was on a morning patrol on October 7th when he was shot down but managed to ditch just offshore in the Thames Estuary and wade onto a beach. The author specifically highlights that Strawson was flying N3109 and that this was confirmed by the Air Historical Branch. Doubtless they were using the then almost unknown AIR 81 file trove as their source ! Furthermore Mark Whitnall notes – as does Peter Cornwell - that Matthews crashed at Godmersham Park at 10.45 a.m. and I mention this as proof of the morning patrol not recorded in the 603 Squadron F.541.
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The Form 78 aircraft history cards for the three Spitfires record their final fates thus;
K9963 ‘F.B.O. Cat. 3’ 5-10-40.
K9807 ‘F.B.O. (3)’ 7-10-40.
N3109 ‘F.B.O. (3)’ In sea 7-1040.
These match exactly the AIR 81 file details as noted by Alex Smart and taking everything into account I believe all three AIR 81 files correctly identify pilot to aircraft. However none of us have yet viewed these particular AIR 81 files but expect they would back up the above.
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I hope this adds to the debate and not to the confusion !
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Regards,
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Martin Gleeson.