[Alex Smart]

Hi,
No mention of V7831 in the list in Don Minterne's book part 2.
And the note for V7837 reads -
V 7837
73
Ju 87 dest. 22-4-41, P/O Wareham.
Ju 87, Bf 109 dest 23-4-41, S/L W-B.
W/o 14/4/41, S/L W-Barnes b/o 14/4/41.

W-B = Wykeham-Barnes.
I also think that the 14/4/41 should read as 23/4/41, because
Minterne goes on to say-
page 91.
23 The final battle over Tobrik cost the RAF dearly. Seven aircraft of 73 took off at 1000 to intercept 20 Ju87s, 30 Bf109's 10 Bf110's. Plt Off Haldenby tried to land his damaged Hurricane V 7834 but was shot down in flames and killed, and Dickie Martin bailed out of V 7810, hurting his arm.
The CO got a Ju87 and a Bf109, then with V 7837 on fire bailed out and landed in the harbour - or rather on the edge of the harbour wall - in full view of the whole camp.*******Marshall claimed an 87 and landed to refuel but was shot up and wounded while on the ground******Roy Chatfield destroyed an 87 and force landed on the airfield and Littolf got another and a 109. An evening raid by 20 109's and 20 87;s saw Dennis claim one and a probable. The probable was none other than Marseille, who missed being shot (by Dennis) in the head by the proverbial hair's breadth.
24 By contrast a quiet day with no enemy activity.
25
The raids of the previous days had made it impractical for 73 to operate from Tobruk airfield and the CO, Goodman, Humphreys and Hoole left by Blenheim followed by the four serviceable and four flyable Hurricanes. Scott V 7673, Chatfield V 7858, Littolf V 7295, Eiby AS 990, Ballatore V 7292, Laing V 7566, Dennis W 9198 and Oliver P 3725.

Hope this all helps

Alex