P/O C. R. Rowe - 607 Sqn. in May 1940

[Tom Semenza]

The identity of this pilot is a real puzzle to me. Unfortunately most of the 607 Sqn. records were destroyed during its chaotic withdrawal from France in May 1940. However some Combat Reports survive including AIR 50/170/39 for 10 May which is signed (typed) "C. R. Rowe." Cull in Twelve Days in May gives his first name as "Charles." However I can find no RAF officer "C. R. Rowe" in either the Air Force List or in the London Gazette!

Can anyone provide his identity, i.e. full name and service number?

Regards,
Tom

[Martin Gleeson]

Hello Tom,

Unlikely as it might seem, this ‘C.P.Rowe’ is believed to a corruption of the name 39488 Charles Earle Bowen. A specialist in 607 Squadron, Jim Corbett, certainly believes this and I agree with him.
The name ‘P/O C.P. Rowe’ appears only once, on his typed combat report for May 10th (AIR 50/170/39), which also notes his aircraft was hit but does not mention him baling out or crash landing. This officer’s name (‘C.P.Rowe’) cannot be found in any Air Force List of 1939-1942, or any other contemporary source (including the 607 Sqn. ORB and the London Gazette website). I have not come across that name in any other primary source document. It appears that ‘C.P. Rowe’ was a corruption of F/O Charles Earle Bowen and probably taken from an illegible handwritten report.
The daily diary of Corporal James McDonack for May 10th lists Bowen baling out on the 12th , but this is probably incorrect along with the loss of F/Lt. Sample (see above).
The time of 3.45 p.m. is on Bowen’s combat report. According to ‘TWELVE DAYS IN MAY’ (p. 43 & 54) Bowen was supposed to be in a three-aircraft section patrol. The combat report for Ashton (AIR 50/170/4) states he was in a two-aircraft patrol which was relieving another two-aircraft patrol. Ashton gives a time of 5.18 p.m. for his action. Le Breuilly, who was supposed to be leading the three-aircraft section, records a time of 4.00 p.m. for his action (AIR 50/170/31). This makes it more likely that Bowen and Le Breuilly were in the same patrol, and that several patrols and engagements have become mixed up.

Regards,

Martin Gleeson.

https://martinaviationpages.com/

[Tom Semenza]

Martin, many thanks for your response. I did have in my notes that "C. R. Rowe" might in fact have been C. E. Bowen based on the RAF Commands discussion here:

https://forum.rafcommands.com/forum/...d-p-o-c-r-rowe

Your observations make it most likely to be the case.

By the way, thank you for putting together the RAF loss list. Yet another very useful resource.

Best regards,
Tom

[Martin Gleeson]

Thanks Tom, you're welcome.

Martin.