Sgt Mincher, 609, 610, KIA with 93 Sqdn?"

[Mark Crame]

Hi, I'm trying to trace and match details on a pilot who's name I only just came across, and am hoping that someone may be able to help, or add to what I have so far - hopefully to link them definitively.
Sgt T Mincher was posted from 56 OTU to 609 Squadron on 16th June 1942. On his second Typhoon flight, 29th June, he made a heavy landing and sheered the tail unit of his A/C. 7th July he pranged F/O 'Joe' Atkinsons Tiffy, and was posted to 610 on the 19th. This from 540 ORB of 609 Sqdn. (nb - 'Joe' Atkinson remembers the name, but nothing more, and can't recall the incident either).

I then find a Thomas Leon Mincher posted as KIA on 5th December with 93 Sqdn in Algeria. CWGC records.

Sgt Thomas Leon Mincher is mentioned on a Family History webpage thus:

"Early in the war (?) Leon volunteered for the R.A.F. and became a Sergeant-Pilot, training on a De Haviland Moth and Airspeed Oxford aircraft. On several occasions he ‘buzzed’ over our house until neighbours complained of the ‘danger’. He started Active Service on Hurricanes,- then went onto Typhoons and then Spitfires. (We have a photo of him in the cockpit, flying a Spitfire) By the time he started flying in Active Service the Battle of Britain had been won and he went onto ‘flying sweeps’ over Northern France. His squadron was withdrawn for extra training ready for the North African invasion in 1942. After only a few weeks in action near Bone in Algeria he was shot down by a German fighter plane and the fateful telegram arrived at home - ‘Missing believed killed in action’. On the 22nd July 1943 this was confirmed by the Air Council and Leon’s date of death, (For official purposes ) was given as 5th December, 1942."

Tony Wood's listings show 6 Spitfires claimed in theatre for 5th December, 3 to Oblt Julius Meimberg II/JG53, (presumably 2 seperate sorties), 1 to Hptm Hartmann Grasser, II/JG51, 1 to Fw Erich Paczia 6/JG53, 1 to Fw Anton Hafner 4/JG51. All in Tunisia, either around Mateur, or Tebourba for Hptm Grasser.

From this I feel it is likely that it could be the same pilot, but not having access to 610 or 93 Sqdn documents I have no way of checking at this time. Can anyone help, or does anyone have any information on this/these persons that they are willing to share please?

Many thanks in advance,

Mark

[Chris Goss]

Mark: It is the same guy. There is no accident card for 16 Jun 42 but there is one for 29 Jun 42 and the service number for that one and the 93 Sqn T L Mincher match. By the way, we do know all about his time with 609-he is in my revision of Frank Ziegler's book

[Mark Crame]

Cheers Chris, that's excellent news. I have the Sgt TL Mincher, 1942 in 'Under the White Rose', but that's the only reference I found in the book.

RAF Commands posters came up with the following additions:

According to Air Britain, there were two Spitfire Vb's of 93 Sq. shot down after take-off from Medjez-el-Bab on this date (ER330 and ER594).

Fighters over Tunisia by Chris Shores, Hans Ring and William Hess has the following for 5/12/42.
In an effort to counteract the Stuka attacks which were seriously worrying the troops at the front it was decided to try and make use of the landing ground at Medjez el Bab and during the day 6 Spitfires from 93 Squadron arrived there from Souk el Arba. On arrival it was discovered that there was standing patrol of german fighters, identified as Fw 190's over the airfield and these atatcked the Spitfires. PO Haley and Sgt Minchen (spealt Minchen) were shot down. Haley became a POW and the other 4 Spitfires werebadly damaged and managed with difficulty to get back to Souk el Arba.

It's always pleasing when I can track down info on someone -especially through tenuous links such as the ones I came across. Cheers for the input, very much appreciated. Is there much more that you have on him, or does that cover it all?

Cheers,

Mark

[Chris Goss]

That is all...and the accident card

[Mark Crame]

Thanks Chris.

regards, Mark.