Stanford Tuck and 257 Squadron - Luftwaffe and Allied Air Forces Discussion Forum

Bruce Lander · #1 5th January 2008, 14:50

Hi,

Can anyone clear up the "missing" days between 29 August 1940 when Tuck left 92 Sq at Pembrey ( after being wounded on the 25th) and September 9th when he joined 257 Sq.

According to the "boys own" version in "Fly for Your Life" he arrived as C/O, also in "Churchill's Few", but other accounts state he was posted in together with Peter Brothers as a Flight Commander and did not take over as C/O until the 11th.
Was he on sick leave from 29th Aug until 9 Sept ?

Seems like a new biography of Tuck would be very useful.

Cheers

Bruce Lander

Alex Smart · #2 7th January 2008, 12:46

Hi Bruce,

Aces High vol 1 has N3268 was badly damaged whilst he was attacking a Do17 and was obliged to force land after gliding 15 miles with a dead engine . On the 11th September he was posted to command 257 Sqn on Hurricanes.Men of the BoB has that N3268 was a write off, and that he was given command of 257 on the 11th September at Debden. On the 15th he claimed as destroyed a Bf110 and a prob 109.However these claims are not noted in Foreman's vol 1 of RAF Fighter Command Victory Claims 1939-40. His next claim is given as the 23rd Sept.
Alex

shooshoobaby · #3 8th January 2008, 01:28

Bruce , Alex,
I have a Special Edition Copy of Tuck's Logbook.
9/11/40 First Mission with 257 Sq.
9/15/40 Hurricane # V 6555.
Shot down ME 110 and ME 109 - Probable
Location - SE London
Mike

Bruce Lander · #4 8th January 2008, 19:08

Hi Guys

Thanks or responses,

Mike, in the logbook are there any entries covering the missing 10 days ?
It is pretty certain that Tuck was posted to 257 together with Brothers on 9 September to replace the 2 flight commanders who had been KIA, so from 29 Aug to 9 Sept was he on leave recovering from his wound of the 25 Aug

Cheers

Bruce

shooshoobaby · #5 8th January 2008, 19:35

Bruce -
No Flight log entries 8/26/40 - 9/10/40
2 entries undated
Posted to Command 257 ( Burma ) Sq.
Signed Logbook as CO - 257 Sq.
He signed his Logbook at the end of
each Month.
Mike

Franek Grabowski · #6 8th January 2008, 22:56

Well, this is a question to Mr Brothers if he is willing to answer it. I recall his explanation, that he asked for some experienced pilots to go with him, hence some pilots from 32 Sqn.