RCAF Spit code letters - 403 and 412 Squadrons

[Brian]

Hi guys

Information required for my forthcoming book on Screwball Beurling:

Code letters for the following:

403 (RCAF) Squadron Spitfire Vc 1941/42:

W3170
AD114
BL707

403 (RCAF) Squadron Spitfire IX 1943

MA241
MA356
MA573
MA817
MA840

412 (RCAF) Squadron Spitfire IX 1943/44

MJ303
MJ306
MJ383
MJ384

Thanks in advance

Cheers
Brian

[Revi16]

Not sure all your serial numbers match up with the correct Squadrons.

W3170 Vb 1635 EA M45 FF 1-5-41 Henley 9MU 5-5-41 74S 16-5-41 72S 27-7-41 Overturned on down-wind landing Martlesham Heath 5-4-42

AD114 Vb CBAF M45 45MU 31-8-41 485S 7-9-41 FACA 12-3-42 403S 'KH-W' 5-4-42 CB ops 2-6-42 MM mods RNAS Train Estab 30-6-42 Cat C at 1CRU 8-7-42 On loan for training Air Gunnery and Maintenance ratings-as GI?

BL707 Vb CBAF M45 6MU 31-1-42 403S 'KH-Y' 13-2-42 Missing from escort mission nr Le Touquet 2-6-42 FH68.45

MA241 IX CBAF M63 122S 11-5-43 222S 21-5-43 403S 24-8-43 405RSU 29-9-43 403S hit trees landing approach Kenley CE 20-12-43 FH182.25

MA356 VcT CBAF M50 6MU 2-6-43 215MU 11-6-43 SSLS627 26-6-43 Australia 2-8-43 RAAF as A58-235 Crashed nr Balranald NSW 11-44 rtp

MA573 IX CBAF M63 403S 26-6-43 Hit by flak on low level sweep nr Cambrai 13-11-43 FH172.45 P/O L C Rowe killed

MA817 IX CBAF M63 39MU 26-7-43 405ARF HAL 18-8-43 403S 4-9-43 FAAC 16-10-43 AST 501S 15-4-44 229S '9R-P' 29-5-44 Beachhead patrol Shot down by Fw190 north of Caen 23-6-44 F/Lt R H Small RAAF killed

MA840 IX CBAF M63 39MU 28-7-43 405ARF HAL 17-8-43 403S 14-9-43 VA 7-4-44 317S FACE 17-4-44 AST 58OTU 9-6-45 SOC 1-9-49 FFS 8-9-49

MJ303 LFIX CBAF M66 39MU 24-10-43 405ARF 8-11-43 412S 21-11-43 CAC ops 4-1-44 ros 405RSU 9-2-44 602S Escort B-26s to Creil attacked by Fw190s S of Neufchatel 10-5-44 P/O M W Frith killed

MJ306 LFIX CBAF M66 33MU 24-10-43 405ARF 11-11-43 412S Engine cut forcelanded nr Ypres 4-3-44 FH19 F/Lt A B W Ketterson killed

MJ383 LFIX CBAF M66 39MU 5-11-43 47MU 19-11-43 Fort George 4-12-43 Casablanca 22-12-43 FTR ops 27-9-44

MJ384 LFIX CBAF M66 39MU 30-10-43 405ARF 11-11-43 411S 21-11-43 421S Missing on beach patrol over Normandy 17-6-44 W/O L W Love killed

http://www.spitfires.ukf.net/production.htm

Regards,
Mike

[Brian]

Hi Mike

Many thanks for the time and effort.

The serials were all extracted from the ORBs of the two squadrons in question (403 and 412).

I wonder?

Cheers
Brian

[Chris Goss]

Brian: I have a photo of a 412 Sqn scoreboard taken in Oct 43 showing Beurling's name (under Keefer) in A Flt. You are welcome to use it if you want. I also have some photos of 403 & 412 Sqn pilots if you are after anyone in particular

[Brian]

Hi Chris

Many thanks, I would appreciate the loan of the photograph mentioned. Any shots of Beurling among your 403/412 collection?

You have my home address.
Cheers
Brian

[Chris Goss]

No photos of him I am afraid

[Tom Semenza]

Brian,

From Shores & Williams in Aces High:

MA573 was coded "KH-F" on 1 July 1944, flown by Hugh Godefroy. This may have been Godefroy "personal" Spit since most of claims were made on other Spits also coded "F."

Best wishes,

Tom

[Brian]

Many thanks Tom

Every single one helps!

Cheers
Brian

[Bill Walker]

Are you sure about that date? Another source records MA573 as being lost on 13 November 1943, P/O L.C. Rowe KIA.

[Tom Semenza]

Bill & Brian,

My error, the date is 1 July 1943.

Tom