Lt.-Cmdr Allen Burgham, No. 835 Squadron

[Ferreira]

Hi,

I'm searching informations of the combat career of Lt.-Cmdr Allen Burgham, DSC, MiD, RCNVR (Retd) (RNZNVR), who flown a Sea Hurricane Mk. IIc NF 672- (7K), “Nicki”, of No. 835 Sqn, in June 1944, on boardo of HMS Nairana.


Did he have some air victory?

Thank's a lot!

Franklin

[Frank Olynyk]

Franklin,

Sub/Lt. Allan Russell Burgham, RNZNVR claimed a Ju-290 on May 26, 1944 at 0720 hours, 41-03N, 18-27W. He was flying the Hurricane that you listed. CR: ADM 199/838-476.

Frank.

[keith A]

Burgham had originally served with 804 Sqn, seeing no action before transferring to 835. He became senior pilot in 1944. His first kill was over a Ju290 of FAGr.5 He claimed a second kill on 10 February 1945 over a Ju88A-17 of KG26. He may also have claimed a probable over a Ju88 the previous day. He is mentioned in a few books which cover convoy RA/JW64.

[Ferreira]

Hi, Frank and Keith,

Thank's for your help!



Cheers,
Franklin

[Robert Todd]

Franklin was asking about the war record of Lt Cmdr Allen Burgham. What is it you want to know exactly? He was Senior Pilot of 835 Squadron,, flight commander of the fighter component of a composite squadron.He shot down a Junkers 290 in early 1944 near the Bay of Biscay during a return to England with a Gibralter convoy, losing his Number Two in the fight. Later he shot down a Junkers 88 on a Murmansk convoy and set another Junkers 88 on fire, but did not see it crash. Records indicate that it did not get back to Norway

He became the first man in history to land a day fighter at night on the deck of an aircraft carrier after volunteering to repel a night attack on the convoy. That action also reulted in the loss of his Number Two pilot.

The Murmansk actions were flown in Wildcat IVs. The Gibralter actions were flown in Hurricane IICs. More?

[Frank Olynyk]

Does anyone have the PRO references to the combat reports from the Murmansk convoy action? Did anybody else make any claims? I must have missed them when I went through the ADM/ files.

Frank.

[keith A]

The Murmansk claims seem to be confused. I have tried for years to separate ship AA claims from those of 813 and 835 Squadron. I believe 835 claimed 4, with 5 probables. 835 were flying the Wildcat VI.

[Brian]

Hi guys

While on the subject of FAA combats, losses and claims, has anyone been able to determine who claimed what during the Sepember 1942 PQ18 convoy? I have requested this information before, but to no avail. Sea Hurricanes from 802 and 833 Squadrons operated from HMS Avenger and were credited with several kills, but who scored? DSCs were subsequently awarded to two pilots for their part in the operation, but I have not seen citations. They were Lt AR Laurie and S/Lt IP Garrow. A DSO went to Lt PWV Massy DSC.

In hope

Brian

[keith A]

From the information I have I think Laurie and Garrow (802 Sqn) shared claims for a Ju88 and a He111, with another damaged. SLt PJ Williams added another Ju88. Massy (883 Sqn) claimed a He111, and another probable. Only 5 kills are registered and its possible that Garrow and Laurie each claimed 2 but I think shared claims are more likely.

[keith A]

The Murmansk convoy saw kills to

06.2.45 1-0-0 ju88 Lt RA Fleischmann-Allen/813,
07.2.45 0-1-0 ju88 SLt Armitage, SLtSargent/835
09.2.45 0-1-0 JU88 Lt AL Burgham/835
10.2.45 0-2-1 ju88 SLt PJW Davies, Lt JA Quigg/813
10.2.45 1-0-0 ju88 SLt Mearns, SLt Moss/835
10.2.45 1-0-0 ju88 Lt AL Burgham/835
20.2.45 0-1-0 ju88 SLt Sargent, SLt OK Armitage/835
20.2.45 1-0-0 ju88 SLt PH Blanco, SLt GD Gordon/835