The Riddle brothers in 601 Squadron

[Håkan]

Hello,

I’m trying to sort out the claims of the Riddle brothers of 601 Squadron during 1940.
As far as I understand Christopher John Henry served in ‘A’ Flight and Hugh Joseph served in ‘B’ Flight.

I’ve found claims on the following dates:

400518 16:25 He 111 Unconfirmed/Probable ‘France’ (CJH Riddle)
400519 15:10 He 111 Destroyed SE Cambrai/Douai-Cambrai (HJ Riddle)
400527 13:21-14:50 Bf 110 Damaged Gravelines area/Dunkirk
400711 11:35 Ju 87 Unconfirmed Portland Bill
400711 11:35 Bf 110 Destroyed/Shared destroyed Portland Bill
400813 06:45 Ju 88Shared damaged/Damaged Selsey/Hazlemere
400813 16:00 Bf 110 Probably destroyed Southampton-Winchester
400904 13:30 Do 17 Shared destroyed S Worthing

Depending on source the claims are credited to either of them. Is there anyone with access to 601 Squadron ORB or their logbooks that can help me sort it out?

Best wishes/Håkan

[Stig Jarlevik]

Håkan
This is what Shores/Foreman lists regarding the brothers in their books
400518 16:25 He 111 Unconfirmed/Probable ‘France’ (CJH Riddle)
400519 15:10 He 111 Destroyed SE Cambrai/Douai-Cambrai (HJ Riddle)
400527 13:21-14:50 Bf 110 Damaged Gravelines area/Dunkirk (HJ Riddle)
400711 11:35 Ju 87 Unconfirmed Portland Bill (HJ Riddle) Foreman says CJ Riddle
400711 11:35 Bf 110 Destroyed/Shared destroyed Portland Bill (HJ Riddle) Foreman says CJ Riddle
400813 06:45 Ju 88Shared damaged/Damaged Selsey/Hazlemere (HJ Riddle) Foreman just states F/O Riddle
400813 16:00 Bf 110 Probably destroyed Southampton-Winchester Foreman just states F/O Riddle (nothing with Shores)
400904 13:30 Do 17 Shared destroyed S Worthing Nothing with Shores (Foreman says CJ Riddle)

Cheers
Stig

[Håkan]

Hej Stig,

I found the same questions when reading Shores/Foreman, which is why I asked if anyone had the ORBs.
They are slightly outside my "normal" interests and thus I didn't want to spend any money on them at the NA (they receive enough as it is...) ;-)

Best wishes/Håkan

[Stig Jarlevik]

No worries Håkan

Wasn't sure what you had or not.
My own opinion is that Shores is more reliable than Foreman.
If nothing else shows up I would suggest to use Shores for the details of H J Riddle and Foreman for his brother.

That way you will have one riddle less....

Cheers
Stig

[Chris Goss]

Of interest, I have a letter from C J Riddle dated 1982 and he believes his brother never flew operationally again after being shot down in May 1940 but my belief is H J he did get the 110 on 11 Jul 40. Incidentally, C J Riddle was A Flt, H J Riddle B Flt

[Håkan]

Thanks Chris for the input!

Best wishes/Håkan

[Frank Olynyk]

From my database, built by reference to the combat reports in Air 50, and the ORBs in Air 27:

CJH Riddle
May 18, 1940, He 111 probable, at 1615, NE of Brussels
May 27, 1940, Me 110 damaged, at 1420, Dunkirk, Calais
May 27, 1940, Me 110 damaged, at 1930, Dunkirk, Calais
Aug 13, 1940, Me 110 probable, at 1600, Winchester Southampton area
Sept 4, 1940, Do 17 destroyed, at 1330, Worthing, shared with an unknown Spitfire

HJ Riddle
May 19, 1940, He 111 destroyed, at 1510, halfway between Douai and Cambrai
May 27, 1940, Me 110 damaged, at 1930, Dunkirk
July 11, 1940, Ju 87 probably, at 1135, over Portland Bill
July 11, 1940, Me 110 destroyed, at 1135, over Portland Bill
Aug 13, 1940, Ju 88 damaged, at 0645, about Hazelmere, shared with an unknown Hurricane, presumably of 601 Sqn

Enjoy!

Frank.

[Håkan]

Thanks Frank - that was precisely what I was lokking for!
Much appreciated!

Best wishes/Håkan

[Stig Jarlevik]

Frank

Thanks from me too.

Stig

PS: Håkan, lita på Shores....