263 Sqn losses over Norway May-June 1940

[alex crawford]

Hi,

A return to my research of 263 Sqn operations over Norway from April-June 1940.

It is generally agreed that when HMS Glorious was sunk on 8th June she was carrying 10 Gladiators and pilots from 263 Sqn. As 18 aircraft had been flown off to Bardufoss that left 8 as having been lost during the subsequent operations.

From my many files I have noted the following losses.

21/05/40 N5697 crashed into hills during flight from Glorious to Bardufoss.
21/05/40 N5693 crashed into hills during flight from Glorious to Bardufoss.
22/05/40 N5698 shot down by He111 gunners.
23/05/40 N5719 abandoned after running out of fuel.
26/05/40 Gladiator destroyed by bombers at Bardufoss.
26/05/40 Gladiator destroyed by bombers at Bardufoss.
26/05/40 Gladiator written of after taxying into crater.
26/05/40 N5705 crashed on take off, Bodo.
27/05/40 Gladiator forced landed in hills around Bodo after combat.
02/06/40 Gladiator shot down by Bf110.

As you can see this list gives 10 losses. I suspect that the first three losses for 26th may have been spurious or repairable during a three day lull in the fighting from 30th May-1st June. The known Gladiators have been identified during subsequent recovery operations in the 90's.

I have the full details of all these losses apart from the first three on 26th.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to the identities of the unknown Gladiators or comments about the losses for 26th?

Regards,

Alex

[Alex Smart]

Hello Alex,

FCL vol 1 revised has for the 26th May, N5705 and N5714 noted as Damaged and abandoned Bodo and Bardufoss.

Listed as lost with date and where know, Pilot etc
26th April N5647 and N5909.
21st May N5697 and N5693
22nd May N5719 and N5698
27th May two ? F/L C.B. Hull and Lt. A. Lydekker FAA
2nd June N5893

And Lost in HMS Glorious
N5681, N5695, N5699, N5723, N5906, N5907 and N5908.

With the following as Also lost in Norway
N5720, N5725, N5894, N5898, N5904 and N5905.

FAA Aircraft 1939 to 1945 by Sturtivant & Burrow has -
802 Sqn FAA
N5518, N5521, N5525, N5526, N5527 and N5530 as possibly lost in Glorious 8.6.40.
When the Squadron Joined HMS Glorious in May of '39 the squadron had 12 a/c.
It is not clear to me about 804 Sqdn FAA, if some of their Gladiators were still on Glorious of had all moved to other ships ie Furious when she returned to Scapa Flow earlier and were put ashore.

Fledgling Eagles by Shores has 802 with 9 Gladiators.

Alex

[Alex Smart]

Hi Alex,

From what I have just cross referenced in the books I have to hand the 18 a/c were -
N5647, N5681, N5693, N5695, N5697, N5698, N5699, N5705, N5714, N5719, N5723, N5725, N5893, N5905, N5906, N5907, N5908, N5909.
But where that puts N5720, N5894, N5898 and N5904 I am not sure ?

Other 802 FAA a/c may have been N5532, N5533, N5534, N5537 and N5539.

refs Andy Thomas's Osprey Gladiator Aces and the "Old" Macdonalds tone by Mason.
Ops, just read in "Gladiators over Malta" by Cull & Galea that N5534 crashed in May of 39.
Alex

[alex crawford]

Hi Alex,

Thanks for your reply, much appreciated. Trying to work out which Gladiator went on which expedition is very complicated. Even official sources don't seem to get it right. I have a number of AM Form 78's (aircraft meovemtn cards) and some of them don't tie up with the reported fates of some aircraft.

For both expeditions I come up with 21-22 and 23-24 Gladiators compared to the original 18 on each expedition. This includes the single Sea Gladiator that went to Norway in ApriOne day I'll get to the bottom of this.

Alex

[Alex Smart]

Hello Alex,

Recent post on the rediscovered Skua should ring bells for you with regard to records kept at the time.

That aircraft with serial number found did not fit todays known details .

in "Gladiators over Malta" by Cull & Galea

In Jan 40 N5518,21,25,26,27,30,32 and 33 went to HMS Glorious .

All for now
Alex