Raymond Baxter

[keith A]

I have just noticed that a Sergeant R Baxter made a claim for a Bf109E probably destroyed, on 12th August 1941. Other than those victories he claimed with 93 Squadron in the summer of 1943, does anyone have details of any more victories?

[Frank Olynyk]

I have a claim by a Sgt H N Baxter of 65 Sqn on Aug 12, 1941, 7 m SW of Haamstede, in Spitfire IIa P8013 for a Me 109E at 1220 hours. It was claimed as a probable in his combat report (CR: Air 50/25-13&14) and apparently downgraded to a damaged in the Fighter Command Combats & Casualties report. This could be a misreading by me of the initials R F (Baxter).

Other than the two shared claims for a probable and a damaged in 1943 that you noted, I have no other claims for Raymond Frederic Baxter. I do not have his book, so cannot check to see if this is the same person.

Frank.

[keith A]

Hi Frank, thanks for that.

I know he served with 65 Squadron in 1941 from a snippet in the Spitfire At War book, my info about the claim is from John Foreman's Fighter Command victory claims vol2. Could there be two sergeant Baxters with 65 in 1941? The name isn't very common but it's not unheard of.

I haven't got his biography unfortunately.


regards

Keith

[paulmcmillan]

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/d...doc_Id=7740793

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/d...doc_Id=7740732

Will cost you £7.00 to find out more!

[Brian]

Hi Keith

It would appear that he didn't make his first operational flight until August 1942 - with 65 Squadron.

Cheers
Brian

[keith A]

Hi Brian,

That's weird, because I am sure he says in Spitfire at War that he'd been flying Spitfires with 65 squadron since mid-1941

[Brian]

Hi Keith

Not according to his biography. Would you like to borrow my copy - you are most welcome. Just let me have your address (PM if necessary) and I will pop it in the post.

Cheers
Brian

[keith A]

Hi Brian,

No you're ok, mate. Too much reponsibility for a man with young kids who use books as drinks mats! Is it a decent read? Worth buying a copy? I wonder if he meant he started flying Spits in 1941 while training although that seems a long period of operational training. Either that or my mind is getting soft through age (and red wine) and I misremember.

cheers again

Keith

[Brian]

Hi Keith

That's a wonderful way for the mind to go 'soft' - I recommend it - I went through the barrier some time ago!

Cheers
Brian

[Steve Brew]

Hi guys

There may have been two Baxters on 65 Squadron, as Franks shows an "H. Baxter" being shot down and captured on 21 August 1941. Ross McNeill's list of Air Force POWs on his site suggests this was likely H. N. Baxter.

Does anyone have the forename of THIS Baxter, please?

Thanks
Steve