126 Sqn claims, 17/12/43

[BruceMk11]

Could someone list the claimants for 126 Sqn on 17/12/43; I believe the
sqn claimed four Bf 109s destroyed without loss. I'd also be interested to know if this was the unit's best day between the end of the Sicilian campaign and its transfer to the UK in 4/44. Not asking much, am?!


Cheers, Bruce

[Brian]

Hi Bruce

My records show for 3/12/43 (nothing for 17/12/43):

Wg Cdr E.N. Woods Ju87
Sqn Ldr J.A. Plagis FW190, Bf109, Bf109 damaged
Flg Off B.W. Clarke Ju52
Flg Off J.L. Flinterman 2 FW190
Plt Off E.A. Risely 2 Bf109
Flt Sgt J.D. Rae Bf109 probable

Flg Off J.R.B. Porter & Flt Sgt J.D. Rae Fw190 damaged, shared.

The only other claim during the period you specified was by Flt Sgt E. Cousins on 17/11/43 for a Bf109.

Hope this helps.
Cheers
Brian

[Andy_Ingham]

Hello Bruce
I have the ORB for 126 squadron and as Brian has said, nothing recorded on 17.12.43.
Again as Brian has said the nearest date when a claim was made was on 3.12.43. F/O Clarke claimed a JU88 destroyed.

Regards
Andy

[BruceMk11]

Hi Brian & Andy,

Thanks for your responses. Looks like I jumped to conclusions! After reading an anecdote by John 'Shortie' Beatson, in a book edited by Laddie Lucas-sorry but the title escapes me, in which he describes an ASR escort
by 249 Sqn on 17/12/43, top cover of 126 Sqn Spit IXs, with 249 Sqn
bounced by 109s, I've assumed that 126 Sqn did the damage-he mentioned claims for four destroyed without loss. Beatson was 249 Sqn's 'A' Flight cdr-and I'll now assume it was 249 that made the claims!
Brian: with regard to those claims listed for Plagis, Flinterman, Risely, Rae
and Porter, these were all made on 14/8/44. See 'Those Other Eagles' for
Flinterman and Risely and '2nd TAF Vol 2', for Plagis.
Andy: I'd be interested in any Aussie claims for 126 Sqn between
the conclusion of the Sicilian campaign and the unit's transfer to the UK.


Cheers, Bruce

[BruceMk11]

For anyone interested, at least six RAAF pilots served on 126 Sqn in the
Med, 1943/44:

F/O EJ Greenwood (412131), KIA 10/2/44

F/O JS Davidson (401775)

F/O JRB Porter (420263), KIFA 14/9/44

P/O JH Grant (411139)

P/O FK Halcombe (416094)

P/O JJA McFadyen (416688), KIA 8/12/44

Both Davidson & Grant went on to fly Mustangs with the unit in 1945.


Cheers, Bruce