Hurricane losses on the 09.06.40

[robert]

Hi,

I`m looking for details concerning two British losses suffered on the 09.06.40:
- Hurricane 17 Sqn P/O Leary
- Hurricane 242 Sqn P2767 P/O MacQueen

Regards

Robert

[Peter Cornwell]

Robert,


Happy to oblige. Source: The Battle of France Then & Now p450


17 SQUADRON, LE MANS

Hurricane. Forced-landed during patrol over Rouen 4.30 p.m. Cause not stated, probably engine failure. Pilot Officer D. C. Leary unhurt, arrested on landing but later returned. Aircraft a write-off.

242 SQUADRON, CHATEAUDUN

Hurricane P2767. Shot down by Lt Gehlhaar of 4./JG52 in attack over Châlons-sur-Marne and crashed near Courtisols 4.35 p.m. Pilot Officer D. G. MacQueen killed. Aircraft a write-off.
Donald Garfield MacQueen from High River, Alberta, joined the all-Canadian No. 242 Squadron on November 6, 1939, and was one of six ‘A’ Flight pilots ordered to France on May 16, 1940. In four days of intense fighting during which he hardly ate, never washed, and slept ‘an hour here and there’ they were recalled to England. He was killed in action the day after their return to France.

[robert]

Hi Peter,

thanks a lot.
BTW the 4/JG52 claimed two Hurricanes. How do you know that MacQueen was victim of Gehlhaar?

Regards

Robert

[Peter Cornwell]

Hello Robert,

In analysing the claims and casualties for The Battle of France Then & Now, I cross-checked the details as published by Jochen Prien against the OKL Fighter Claims listing extracted from BA-MA microfilms and found some discrepancies, which is to be expected.

With specific regard to the claims by II./JG52 on June 9, 1940, both sources are in complete agreement with the single exception of the claim for a Hurricane at 17.35 (CET) by Lt Adalbert Schindler of 4./JG52 as cited by Prien. This is, as you rightly point out, at the same time as the claim for a Hurricane filed by Lt Heinz Gehlaar of the same unit. As the two sources consulted both agree on the latter, and No. 242 Squadron only lost one aircraft, I simply applied Occam's Razor.

Of course, any research project of this nature provides ample scope for such judgement calls and thus error, particularly when additional evidence later comes to hand, but I have approached the work with as much care and attention to detail as possible. I hope this explains my reasoning.

[robert]

Hi Peter,

OK copy that. BTW I checked Barbas II/JG52 book and he also lists Schindler.

Regards

Robert