Re: Fairey Battle P21.., 103 Squadron RAF.
K9374 is PM-J the Sgt Perry a/c crash landed near Machault very near Betheniville. There are a lot of photos of this plane including in the Gillet Betheniville book. Have also seen photos with attribution bei Machault (zwischen Sedan und Reims)
I've not got Gillet's book in front of me but I recall he places PM-J at Couroy (very close to Machault) but cites a different serial no.
Perry DFM rec:
PERRY, Charles David (561615) Sergeant (Pilot)
D.F.M. (immediate) London Gazette 14 June 1940
Recommended 18 May 1940
This N.C.O. was seriously wounded by two bullets in the thigh and stomach during a low flying attack against the enemy on 14.5.40. Sgt Perry piloted his aircraft to the vicinity of his base until finding himself fainting he force landed.The action of this N.C.O.showed great courage and stamina.
Sadly he died in England a month later of bullet wounds to the stomach.
P2191 is PM-K the Fitzgerald crash landing. Location is not known to me only that it was in a forward area, possibly in a Fench Sector.
I have copy of his logbook which confirms P2191, a phoney war photo which ties P2191 to PM-K and the recent German photo looks like further confirmatory evidence.
FITZGERALD, Thomas Bernard (40783) Flying Officer (Pilot)
D.F.C. (immediate) London Gazette 14 June1940
Recommendation:
In May, 1940, Flying Officer Fitzgerald carried out a successful and daring low flying attack against the enemy at Sedan. During a second raid a few days later, he was wounded but succeeded in effecting a forced landing and saving the lives of his crew
Fitzgerald was wounded in the arm and evacuated to England. The DFC rec is wrong in refering to lives of his crew - he was flying with only one crew.
I pointed out the above to Gillet a while back.
Be very grateful if anybody has info on the PM-K crash location.
Best wishes to all.
Iain
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