615 sqn losses, Feb 15th, 1941

[wargraves1967]

Gents, goodafternoon.

Is there anyone who could help me with the following questions please?

615 Sqn carried out two Rhubarbs on Feb 15th, 1941. The one in the morning was flown by:

FO Donald Stewart
KIA
S/d by fighter of I./JG 52
- Who knows the name of the pilot who shot him down?

Sgt Allan FOTHERINGHAM
POW
S/d by Oblt Karl-Heinz LEESMANN (3./JG 52)

Sgt Peter WAGHORN
Made it back to ENGLAND
- Who knows the serial of the A/C flown by him?
- Was there a claim made by the I./JG 52 regarding this A/C?

The one in the afternoon was flown by:

W/C Holmwood (CO 615 Sqn)
- Who has his firstname?
- What was the SN of his aircraft that day?

P/O Joycelin MILJARD
- Wat was the SN of his aircraft that day?

That afternoon, a third pilot of 615 Sqn took part but I have no information whatsoever.
- Who was the third pilot?
- What was the SN of his aircraft flown that day?

For any information at all I would be very, very greatefull.

Cheers to you all

Frank

[Col Bruggy]

Hi Frank,

W/C Holmwood (CO 615 Sqn)
- Who was his firstname?

http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A140545b.htm

Holmwood's RAAF service number was 1086

Col.

[gedburke3]

Hi Frank,
Joce Millard flew two patrols on the 15th February 1941.
Both were in Hurricane 'H' according to his log book however no serial number is recorded.
The first patrol lasted for 1 hour and 50 minutes and the second lasting 1 hour and 45 minutes. He records no details regarding the squadrons losses that day.
He flew with 'A' Flight on the 26th February. The flight was relieved by 'B' Flight. A short while after relieving them B Flight were attacked by a large number of 109's.
Holmwood, Foxley-Norris and Hone were shot down in the subsequent dog fight and I recall Joce telling me that Holmwood's parachute failed to open correctly after becoming damaged and he died.
Incidently, Joce claimed a 109 shot down on the 25th February over occupied territory, he watched it go down and was convinced it crashed but this remained unconfirmed.
Gerry

[Wim de Meester]

Hurricane V7651 was intercepted by Bf 109's of I./JG 52. Fotheringham tried to elude by flying at top speed at a height of about 10 yards but during a turn his left wing struck a tree of an apple yard after which it crash-landed on farmland opposite the farm "Kersenbrug" at Hamlet Brigdamme - Sint Laurens. Indeed this victory was awarded to Karl-Heinz leesmann (3./JG 52). Fotheringham survived and was send to Stalag Luft VI Heydekrug (POW 496).

About 20 minutes later P3231 was downed in the Wielingen (part of Scheldt estuary). Steward washed ashore sometime April 1941 near Zeebrugge after which he was buried as an unknown airman. After the war he was identified and reburied at the Canadian military cemetery at Adegem. Victor was Fw. Heinz Ahnert (1. victory).

rgds

[wargraves1967]

Gents,

Thank you for your quick and magnificent help. This helps me a bit further :-)

Allways my pleasure to help you guys too when i can

[waghorn41]

Hi, just joined the forum. Sgt Peter Waghorn was my uncle, not sure if I have the a/c details but will have a dig around.

[gedburke3]

Hi Waghorn41,
Welcome to the forum.
I would be interested to see a picture I your uncle if that is possible.
Cheers
Gerry

[waghorn41]

Hi Gerry
Unfortunately my computer doesn't recognise my scanner at the moment, something about a drive..
The best photo I have is one taken just after he'd sewn his 'wings' on in 1940, he looks about 14! If I can get the computer to talk to the scanner I'll post a picture up - my blasted floppy drive isn't registering either.
He was KIA flying a Hurricane over Malta in April 1941, his younger brother was KIA flying a Spitfire over the channel in October 1941. Not a good year for the family.
Regards
Ian

[waghorn41]

Here we go, Sgt Peter Harry Waghorn

[gedburke3]

Hi Ian,
Many thanks for posting this image.
I am sorry for my delay replying but I have only just stumbled across your reply.
I really appreciate your kindness in sharing it.
Best wishes
Gerry