[wwrsimon]

Thanks Leendert.

I also wondered if it was perhaps an error on the Findagrave entries - the 7.15 times seemed a bit co-incidental to 07.15 on the Combat Reports and 613 ORB entry.

Here's the entry from then ORB Form 540:

Snailwell
July 18th 1943
Two Lagoons were flown from TEXEL to the HOOK. At 06.00 hrs. F/Lt. W. T. HAWKINS (R.N.Z.A.F.) F/Os S. T. SITWELL and T. W. KEMPIN and P/O J. B. DALGLIESH (R.C.A.F.) took off and at 07.07 sighted a convoy of 18 ships including minesweepers and two escort vessels moving slowly North off IJMUIDEN. The pilots closed in to 1500 yards and climbed to 1200’ to take photographs. As they turned for home 4 Me-109Gs dived at them out of a cloud. In the combat which followed the e/a lost the initial advantage and F/Lt. W. T. HAWKINS shot one down into the sea and F/O SITWELL and P/O DALGLEISH (R.C.A.F.) each damaged one. F/O KEMPIN used cloud cover to shake off two e/a and flew to SNAILWELL independently.The remainder went to NORTH COATES where the photos were developed.

The ORB Form 541 has the following:

Up: 06.10
Down: 08.10
Convoy of 18 ships sighted North of IJMUIDEN, Combat with 4 Me.109G’s.
1 Me.109G destroyed by F/Lt HAWKINS W. T.
1 Me.109G damaged by F/O SITWELL S. T.
1 Me.109G damaged by F/O DALGLEISH J. B.

Here's the Combat Report
(Intelligence Form F - Air 50/174/18):

July 18th 1943
07.15 hours
Four miles west of IJMUIDEN
Cloud 10/10th at 1500 feet – visibility 6 to 8 miles
Blue and yellow Sections 613 Sqn, led by F/Lt. Hawkins sighted convoy of 18 ships off IJMUIDEN proceeding North at speed of 5-6 knots led by ‘M’ Class M/S in wide V i.e. covering width of convoy, 9 M/V’s in 3 lines abreast, largest about 4000 tons in centre – 2 E/V were placed on either flank and one at the rear. Later, photographs were taken which show M/V’s on two lines of 2/3000 tons each. Four ‘M’ Class Minesweeper reported are not shown in photographs. Large M/V 4/5000 tons coming obliquely from direction of shore, apparently to join convoy accompanied by 2 a/s vessels probably trawlers – 7/8 balloons were seen flying 600 ft.
On sighting the convoy the Mustangs closed in to about 1500 yds. And climbed to 1000[?] ft. in order to take photographs from this height. After taking photographs they set course for NORTH COATES diving to sea level. As Yellow 2 [Sitwell] dropped back a little on the turn the leader, Blue One, throttled back to allow him to catch up. When Yellow Two crossed over to his right position on the starboard flank he gave warning that 4 Me.109G’s were diving from 6 o’clock out of cloud at 1500 ft. Blue One gave order to break starboard to engage enemy aircraft. Yellow One was engaged by two enemy aircraft but pulled up into cloud and set course for base after firing a few rounds. In the ensuing combat – E/A made use of cloud as the only evasive action. Yellow 2 [see below] and Blue 2 claim damage to 2 separate Me.109G’s, and Blue 1 claims 1 Me.109G destroyed. Yellow 2 set course in cloud for COLTISHALL and eventually landed at NORTH COATES. Blue Section set course at sea level for NORTH COATES landing there with Yellow 2 at 08.15 hrs and 08.18 respectively.
Camouflage: all enemy aircraft had noses painted bright yellow.


Regards

Simon