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Re: British Second-Line Aircraft lost in France Sept. 1939 - June 1940.
Continuing the research into this subject I have found one more 'new' loss and two strong possibilities. Any more help very welcome.
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R3341 4 FPP Hit by Battle L5452 of 226 Sqn while parked at Pouan LG 19-5-1940, DBR.
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A further DH 89 possibility could be X8507, also 24 Sqn. ex G-AEXO. The most complete history for
this aircraft can be found on the Air-Britain website (DH 89 page). It merely records
"To 24 Sqn, Hendon 27.3.40. SOC 13.6.41". The large gap may indicate a very late 'Struck Off Charge' date.
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Another DeHavilland possibility is a DH 60G Moth used by 770 and 767 Sqns, Fleet Air Arm. This was W9367, ex G-ABBD. These units had detachments at Hyeres in Southern France, near Toulon from late 1939 to May (770) and June 1940 (767). It seems to have been assigned first to 770 Sqn until it was disbanded at Hyeres on 1-5-1940, then passing on to 767 Sqn. It almost certainly served as a unit 'hack' or liason aircraft. When 767 Sqn flew out their Swordfish aircraft to Malta and Gibraltar soon after 19-6-40 they may have left this Moth behind as it probably did not have the range to fly out. It was "last reported 5.40".
Do any of our French experts know if the Armee de l'Air or the Aeronavale in southern France used this Moth after the FAA departed in June 1940 ?
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Regards,
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Martin.
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