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Re: Mustang Pilot Information
Hi,
I can add the following from my research at TNA. The Mustang Squadrons from No35 Wing flew thirty-seven low level tactical reconnaissance missions (and three more were recalled) in support of the raid. These comprised seventy-four sorties (five aborted and five recalled), together with one single sortie gun-spotting mission.
Regarding your five pilots;
6th Mission: Two aircraft (26 Sqn - F/Lt Kennedy (AG536) and Sgt Cliff (AG584)) launched at 0515 to carry out a reconnaissance mission, they were engaged by Fw190’s in the Beaumont-le-Roger area and shotdown at about 0550.
AG536 F/Lt D.N. Kennedy and AG584 Sgt G.D.M. Cliff -Both probably shotdown by Fw190 (Hptm Bolz C/O II/JG2), pilots killed.
7th Mission: Two aircraft (239 Sqn - F/Lt Barnes (AG614) and PO Cruickshank (AG537)) launched at 0550 to carry out a reconnaissance eight miles west of Dieppe to St Valery, to Ouville and to Bacqueville. F/Lt Barnes engaged by four Fw190’s, but unharmed and returned at 0615.
AG537 PO J.R. Cruickshank -Hit by AAA after reaching the coast and then lost, pilot killed.
27th Mission: One aircraft (26 Sqn - F/Lt Dawson (AG418)) launched at 0845 on a reconnaissance mission .
AG418 F/Lt G. Dawson -Shotdown, probably by AAA, pilot killed (the aircraft probably crashed in the Dieppe area at about 09.32).
32nd Mission: One aircraft (239 Sqn - FO Gompertz (AM134)) launched at 1100 to carry out a reconnaissance along roads between Le Tréport, Envernay and Blangy.
AM184 FO P.A.L. Gompertz -Shotdown at about 1135 probably by AAA, pilot killed.
37th Mission: Two aircraft (400 (RCAF) Sqn - FO Gordon and PO Burlington) launched at 1315 on a reconnaissance mission ‘behind Dieppe’ at 1350.
AM151 PO D.G. Burlington -Flying as weaver, last seen near St Aubin, probably shotdown by light AAA, pilot killed
In view of their independent operations, there were often no witnesses to their loss, the ones that I have deemed as probably lost due to AAA fire are due to the lack of any associated Luftwaffe fighter claim around the time. Documents AIR26/51 (No35 Wing ORB) and AIR 37/353 (details of Mustang operations) have some information, but the above losses were just noted as missing.
Regards,
Steve
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