[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

The EoE research team concentrating on British Losses in France and Belgium during the Phoney War and Western Campaign of May-June, 1940, is struggling to ID this aircraft. The only certain ID marking is an “M” behind the starboard fuselage cocarde. The houses in the background may well be the clue that unlocks this mystery, although there is nothing particularly distinctive about this cluster of buildings.

http://ihra.smugmug.com/photos/i-75Vrr64/0/L/i-75Vrr64-L.jpg

http://ihra.smugmug.com/photos/i-rS8D4jx/0/L/i-rS8D4jx-L.jpg

http://ihra.smugmug.com/photos/i-3fCh23r/0/L/i-3fCh23r-L.jpg

http://ihra.smugmug.com/photos/i-fq69DN5/0/L/i-fq69DN5-L.jpg

Here is where our research presently stands:

Martin G. comments:

"There are to my knowledge at this time at least 10 different photos of the wreck from three basic perspectives, plus two photo captions...we are indeed dealing with one aircraft...”
“The date of ‘16 May 1940’ on the back of one of the photos should help but there were no Fairey Battles lost that might match on the 13th, 15th or 16th. The date probably refers to when the photo was taken. I reckon there are still about 17 possibilities for the period May 10th-14th inclusive. This after excluding those with known code letters, checking photos and those with known circumstances of loss. Also assuming the 16 May 1940 date is correct.
Peter C. comments:

“A virtual walk around Breux-sur-Avre where P2335 came down on 14 June 1940 shows similar topography to that in the photos but no distinctive buildings or a helpful church to enable me to confirm or otherwise I’m afraid."

Does any have any information that would help us put a date, place, unit and crew with these photos? Find this village, and we can probably ID the wreck.