He 111 dam by Flt Lt Hugh Speke, 604 Sqn night 1/2 Sep 40

[phasselgren]

Hi,

According to Those Other Eagles by Christopher Shores Flt Lt Hugh Speke, RAF No.90223, 604 Sqn damaged a He 111 on the night 1/2 September 1940.

Which other crew members flew with Speke? I am also interested in information about the combat.

Thanks in advance,
Peter

[Peter Cornwell]

Peter,

It seems there is nothing in the ORB to substantiate this claim and I don't know the original source of Christopher Shores' information. Hugh SPEKE was on attachment to the unit from RAF Pembrey so it may be worth checking documentation for his 'parent' unit but I somehow doubt it. He was involved in a flying accident with No.604 on the night of 24 August 1940 when his gunner had been Sgt SHIRLEY.

[phasselgren]

Peter,

Thanks for the reply.
Shirley must be the air gunner which flew with Speke this night. I just found a combat report with Speke AND Sgt S Shirley dated 1 September 1940 at TNA.

Peter

[Chris Goss]

Strrange-I have all of 604's combat reports and there is nothing for Speke on this date (nor in the 604 history book)

[phasselgren]

TNA DocumentsOnline have Combat Report(s) for 604 Sqn dated 1 September 1940:
AIR 50/168
Sgt Shirley, S - Image reference 86/358, 3 pages
P/O F/Lt Speke including other dates - Image reference 87/359

I have not purchased this Combat report (for the moment it is enough for me to know that no air gunner from New Zealand was involved in the combat) and cannot confirm if any claim was made.

I have also noticed the absence of this claim in the 604 Sqn history. In general I have found large differences between differing sources for claims made by Blenheim squadrons in Fighter Command 1940.

Peter