4 Squadron (Lysander) losses, May 1940

[B.F.M. Droog]

Hello all,

F.K. Mason 'The Westland Lysander', Profile Publications, ca. 1966: 'Some of the Lysanders [from 4 Squadron] were destroyed on the ground in a raid on Clairmarais and only five crews and aircraft returned to Ringway on the 25th.

As no reference is made to this raid in Peter Cornwells book I wonder if Mason was wrong on this raid, just as he appears to be wrong on what he wrote regarding 2 Squadron losses?

Regards,

Bart

[Peter Cornwell]

Bart,

The Air Party comprising 'A' & 'C' Flights returned to Hawkinge at 6.00 a.m. on May 22, 1940, before flying on to Detling but I have no note of the exact number of aircraft involved. Two days later, the remaining seven aircraft of 'B' Flight flew to Dunkirk at 4.30 a.m. before themselves leaving for Hawkinge. I also have a note that a total of 11 of the squadron's aircraft survived operations in France where they flew 106 sorties 'over the line' losing 9 pilot & gunners. Hope this helps.

[B.F.M. Droog]

Hello Peter,

Thanks, it helps for sure. Certainly in case of the Mason booklet: it's highly unreliable, unfortunately and it makes me fear that the information in the other hunderd or so 'Profile publications' I own is of the same doubtful quality.

Have you any information on the evacuation of the ground crew of 4 Squadron? I've stumbled upon these four men, who I presume to be ground crew members:

Sergeant (Air Frame Fitter) Leslie Armstrong, RAF 561022, 4 Sqdn., age 29, 19/05/1940, missing (see also RAF Commands Forum)
Aircraftman 1st Class Reginald F. Abrams, RAF 621850, 4 Sqdn., age 19, 25/06/1940, missing
Leading Aircraftman Harold W.E. Hanson, RAF 517631, 4 Sqdn., age unknown, 25/06/1940, missing.
Aircraftman 2nd Class Samuel J. McConnell, RAF 632206, 4 Sqdn., age unknown, 25/06/1940, missing


Could it be that they all went missing on the same day - as 25 June is some kind of 'sweeping up' day for the missing - as Henk Welting answered today on RAF Commands Forum, when I asked about the last three of these four.


Regards,

Bart

[Peter Cornwell]

Bart,

Sorry but I have no information on the four men you mention. The Ground Party of No.4 Squadron vacated Clairmarais on May 22, 1940, boarded the SS St Helier at Dunkirk, & arrived at Dover at 8.30 p.m. that evening.

[B.F.M. Droog]

Thanks Peter,

The mystery remains, but at least it is clear when the ground party was back in the UK.

For the 25 June as 'sweep up' date for missing men: do you have any idea from which date on missing men were finally listed as missing per 25/06?

Regards,

Bart

[Peter Cornwell]

Bart,

No, sorry, I cannot throw any light on that.