[keith A]

With apologies for the delay. No knowledge of service numbers but my research shows that 235 Squadron scored over fifty kills in WW2. It is astonishing that 235 and 248 which made so many air-to-air claims and sank or damaged so much shipping yet have very little coverage other than by the stalwarts, Andy Bird and Roy Nesbit and on the Luftwaffe side, Chris Goss.

From my research 235 squadron claimed seventeen kills (probably less) in Blenheims (1940-41), twenty-eight in Beaufighters (1941-44) and twelve in Mosquitos (1944-45). Nine more assessed as probables and twenty-five damaged.

248 Squadron claimed fifty-seven kills also, although I have only found forty-one. Five kills in Blenheims (1940-41), twenty-six in Beaufighters (1941-43) and ten in Mosquitos (1944-45). I am not sure if the missing sixteen are a result of overclaiming in 1940 and/or whether those pilots of the Malta detachment who joined other Malta squadrons after 248 left were credited by the squadron ORB. I heve scoured the squadron ORB but cannot find the missing claims- yet! In addition I found four probables and fifteen damaged.

I am not dismissing the other Coastal Command strike squadrons who made several aerial claims but none reaches the level of 235 and 248. I confess this is my interest. Obviously these squadrons benefitted from detachments to Malta and squadron service in the Bay of Biscay, as well as converting to Mosquitos in late 1943/early 1944. Most of their victories are against Ju88 A-type bomber or heavy fighter C-types but there are claims against both the Bf109 and Fw190.

regards

Keith