French Glenn Martin shot down over Freetown on 13 June 1941

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Hello,

On 13 June 1941 the French Glenn Martin n° 136 (5B-1) of Flotilla 5B took off from Conakry for a reconnaissance sortie to Freetown.

According to several French sources, it was intercepted by Hurricanes that killed two crew and damaged the aircraft, that was later ditched by the pilot close to a ship, the Norwegian cargo Rolf Jarl, that arrived the same day at ... Freetown, where the two French survivors were interned.

But in the book "Mémorial de l'Aéronautique Navale (1910-2010)", by Lucien Morareau, it is written that the Glenn was hit by AA fire rather than by fighters.

In none of the other sources is the fighter(s) identified, and AFAIK the Freetown Defence Flight (that later became 128 Sqn) was created (under dependence of 95 Sqn RAF) with Hurricanes to intercept French recon aircraft over the port only in July 1941.

I would like confirmation of the cause of the loss of the Glenn. Can anyone confirm or infirm if British fighters were airborne over Freetown this day ? If yes, the pilot's names will be an appreciated bonus.

Thanks in advance

Laurent