Ju.52 Tobruk area 1942

[bill norman]

At c. 12pm on 29 September 1942, three Spitfires shot down a Ju.88 in the Mersa Matruth - Tobruk area. It is believed that the Spitfire p[ilots were S/Ldr Matthews (145 Sqdn), F/Lt Curry and P/O Sherk (both of 601 Sqdn). Does anyone have further information? One of the crew members of the Ju.52 is keen to know if any of his attackers are still alive?

[Frank Olynyk]

Bill,
Matthews, Curry and Sherk claimed a Ju-52 between 1340 and 1615 hours on Sept 29, 1942. Matthews died in 1991, Curry in 2008 (both of them appear in Shores & Williams Aces High); Sherk appears in Those Other Eagles without a date of death, and is apparently still alive (check with St Catherine's Flying Club, since there is an article about him on their website).

Frank.

[bill norman]

Frank,
Thanks for the very speedy reply - in spite of the confused nature of the appeal (Ju88/Ju52)! Bill.

[thenelm]

I have no Ju 88s or Ju 52s lost on the 29th that match the Mersa Matruth - Tobruk area. Of course that doesn't mean that the loss may be recorded for the wrong date - not an uncommon occurrence.

[bill norman]

thenelm,
Thanks for responding. Frank Olynyk's reply gave me the info I was looking for. BN (www.billnorman.co.uk)