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Allied and Soviet Air Forces Please use this forum to discuss the Air Forces of the Western Allies and the Soviet Union. |
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#1
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On And Off The Flight Deck
Happy New Year Everyone,
I have just finished reading the above noted book by "Hank" Adlam , it's very interesting, however it raises a couple of questions! The author tells that on 890 Squadron's trip across the Atlantic in HMS Battler in Nov 1942 the C/O Jimmy Sleigh shot down a Fw.200 ( also that Sub.Lt.Basil Bartlett was shot down and killed in this combat) - can anyone confirm this ? In the summer of 1943 the author states that while on HMS Illustrious the squadron shot down 2 Bv.138's ( 1 by Sub.Lt.Jack Parli ) - once again can anyone give any further details ? Cheers Bruce Lander |
#2
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Re: On And Off The Flight Deck
So far only that South-African born Lt Cdr Jimmy Sleigh shot down a Fw-200 on 19 Dec 1941 while operating from HMS Audacity...
Somehow no Basil Bartlett found in the CWGC registers (yet...). Sleigh (890 Squadron) and Lt Cdr Bird (881 Squadron) are credited with 3 x BV138 in Nov 1943 while on HMS Furious. An interesting link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/s...a5024495.shtml Regards, Leendert |
#3
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Re: On And Off The Flight Deck
Hi Bruce and Leendert
Bruce - I can't answer your queries - yet! Leendert - what is your source for Sleigh and Bird getting three Bv138s in November 1943 - I don't have any record of these claims etc? Cheers Brian |
#4
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Re: 890 Squadron & HMS Battler
Bruce;
In all of my research material, which I will note gets much thinner after "Pedestal", I have no record of: 1. 890 Squadron embarking on HMS Battler prior to early December 1942 for passage to the UK from Norfolk, Va. (Wnote, she made her passage in December, not November). 2. 890 Squadron having a fatal crash in late 1942. 3. Any FAA pilot named Basil Bartlett dying prior to 1947, the period officially covered in the WWII casualty records. 4. Although this is of less significance, there is no record of an officer named Basil Bartlett in any part of the the RN/FAA prior to Spring 1941, although it is possible that a junior S-Lt.(A) could have joined a front-line unit by late 1942 even if they did join later he would have needed to apear in school pretty dang soon. Mark E. Horan |
#5
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Re: On And Off The Flight Deck
Hi,
From "The Squadrons of the FAA" by Sturtivant & Ballance. L/C. N. A. Bartlett, 703;768 and 890 Sqns. As Lt, he is recorded as Shooting down an S79 on 12/8/42 in AJ102. And missing the wires and hiting the barrier onIndomitable on the 12/8/42 in AJ137. Also noted as flying Hurricane V7386 and Fular X8546 (ditched out of fuel Indomitable Cat Z 5/5/42). Alex |
#6
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Re: On And Off The Flight Deck
Hi Guys,
thanks for your replies. I did notice that Basil Bartlett does not appear in CWGC anywhere - the book has a squadron photo showing him in the line up and the narrative does describe him as a new Sub.Lt I think maybe the author either forgot his real name or changed it for reasons known only to himself, he is obviously an old gentleman. The 890 pilots in the photo is Lt.Cdr.Sleigh, Lt.D.Cosh, and Sub.Lt's Adlam, Parli, Churchill, Nell and Bartlett. One to keep digging at Cheers Bruce Lander |
#7
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Re: On And Off The Flight Deck
It could always have been a nickname.
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#8
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Re: On And Off The Flight Deck
Bruce,
As I remember, from looking at some of the Navy Lists in the PRO (in the Microfilm room, on the wall to the right of the Air Force Lists), in the back was a section devoted to the ships and the officers assigned to them. This included the squadrons assigned to carriers, or their land based station. If these exist for the year(s) of interest to you, you might find the name you are looking for, or at least figure out the person the author has "renamed". Frank.
__________________
Civilization is the most fragile ecology of all. |
#9
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Re: On And Off The Flight Deck
According to what I have, Sleigh was flying with Bertie Williams when they shot down Hase's Condor
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#10
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Re: On And Off The Flight Deck
Ronnie Bird did claim a share of a Bv138, while 890 claimed a second on 28 July 1943. Another one was credited to a Beaufughter of 404 Sqn. SAGr.130 lost at least 3 Bv138S on 28/07/43.
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