96 Squadron Mosquito XIIIs

[Brian]

Hi guys

I need your help once again! I obviously don't know my HKs from my MMs!! I am referring to 96 Squadron's XIIIs, of which they had many in mid-late 1944 for anti-Diver ops, most of which fell in the HK or MM serial numbers range - but I am confused. Therefore, I have listed digits only in the hope of those who know better may kindly advise (also code letter tie-ups would be useful).

370, 372, 376, 379, 396

406, 415, 417, 421, 425, 426, 433, 437, 438, 446, 449, 452, 453, 459, 460, 461, 462, 468, 469, 479, 487, 492, 494, 495, 497, 499

511, 524, 525, 526, 527, 557, 559, 562, 568, 577, 579, 591

NS985

Fingers crossed once again!
Cheers
Brian

[SMF144]

Brian!!!

Have you bothered to consult the squadron's ORB or even their admin files? What about the vets and their log books?

Fingers crossed.

Stephen

[Disbos]

Er, Mr SMF....Do you know the quality of the man asking the question? You may wish to delete your post.

Please do... and I shall delete this one.

[Tom Semenza]

Brian,

The following info is from Chris Shores "Aces High" and "Aces High, Vol.2" with a couple of codes from John Rawlings "Fighter Squadrons of the RAF."
The serial is followed by pilot's last name and month(s) during which claims were made with the particular aircraft:

HK370 Caldwell & Ward Feb.
HK372 Mellersh June
HK376 Chudleigh July
HK379 ZJ-F Chudleigh & Greene July
HK396 Dobie June
HK406 Goode & Head March/July
HK415 ZJ-R Ward June/July
HK417 Green July
HK421 Bryan June/July
HK426 ZJ-V Crew Jan./Feb.
HK438 Dobie July
HK462 Caldwell & Head June/July
HK469 Chudleigh June
HK499 Gough March/July

MM437 Dobie June/August
MM438 Gough & Head August
MM451 Head March
MM452 Goode July/Aug.
MM459 Chudleigh July
MM460 Head October
MM461 Caldwell June/Aug.
MM468 Bryan July
MM479 Gough August
MM487 Dobie August
MM492 Head June
MM495 Dobie & Green April/July
MM497 Chudleigh & Parker-Rees June/July
MM499 ZJ-V Crew April/June
MM511 Crew & Parker-Rees July
MM524 Ward July/Aug.
MM525 Parker-Rees August
MM557 Goode July
MM562 Parker-Rees July
MM568 Green August
MM577 ZJ-N Mellersh June/Sept.
MM579 Ward July

One NF.XIII used by N.S. Head is listed incorrectly as "MK461" so this could be either "HK" or "MM."

According to the serials listed in Philip Birtles "Mosquito: A Pictorial History of the DH 98," "591" is neither an "HK" nor an "MM" and "NS985" is an F.B. VI serial.

Hope this is of some use to you.

Best wishes,
Tom

[Brian]

Thanks Tom for the time and effort - this gives me a much clearer picture. Still a few oddities, however, such as HK499 and MM499!

Thanks Disbos for the vote of confidence! At least I have one 'fan'!

Now Stephen - OK, so you don't think much of my research methods nor the end product, by the sound if it. That's OK by me, but please don't criticise me for lack of effort! I am not an academic, nor a trained historian, but every year I spend many days researching at the National Archives in Kew - and I've studied 96 Squadron's ORB in detail for the period in question; and have photocopies to prove it! My enquiry concerns mainly the obvious confusion between HK and MM serials allotted to 96 Squadron's aircraft, since the numbers fall within the same range.

I'm not too proud to seek assistance from members of TOCH who, in my opinion, have proved to be wonderfully generous with their contributions and suggestions. Whenever possible to try to help others with their queries. Surely that's the name of the game?

Have a nice one!
Brian