Portsdown Hill, 6 November 1940

[JamesD]

Hi all, first of all I'm James, from Portsmouth UK

I'm doing some research into a pair of Hurricanes that crashed on Portsdown Hill overlooking Portsmouth on the 6th of November 1940. One was flown by Sergeant H.H. Adair of 213 squadron, who was shot down by Major Helmut Wick. Around 3.5 miles away to the East Flying Officer James Tillett of 238 Squadron was shot down, it is believed also by Wick but this is unconfirmed.

I'm planning to have a look at the records at the National Archives in Kew to see what I can glean from Operational Record Books and Combat Reports. I have had a look at the Portsmouth Evening News but nothing was reported at the time. I have however found a report from October 1979 when Sergeant Adair's plane was excavated by the Wealden Aviation Archaeological Society. The Hurricane was apparently found 12 feet down in the chalk, crumpled into a 4 foot section of metal. Sergeant Adair's remains were recovered, however the local coroner decided not to hold an inquest and Adair is still listed as Missing and on the Runneymede memorial. Tillett's body was recovered and he is buried in St Anns Cemetery in Gosport. Both are remembered by memorial stones near their respective crash sites.

Specificallu I would like to be able to investiage the suggestion that Tillett was shot down by Major Wick. In general I would like to be able to find out more about what happened over Portsdown Hill that day.

I just wondered if anyone might have any suggestions for sources I might not have thought about? Does anyone know what became of the Wealden Aviation Archaeology Group? And are there any Luftwaffe archives that might shed some light on what happened?

many thanks, and I'll be sure to post up anything that i find out

[Andy Saunders]

James

I have a considerable file on the loss of Adair, Tillett and co on 6 November and I am also in contact with the family of Hubert Adair.

There is rather too much information to post here, or to answer your specific questions. However, Helmut Wick and JG 2 were certainly involved in the action. I may have imagined this, but I think I wrote an article on the episode for the magazine "FlyPast" many years ago but no idea which year/issue. Probably circa 1980/81.

Andy

[Chris Goss]

To save Andy the time, JG 2 claimed 6 Hurricanes and 3 Spitfires that afternoon; the reality was 4 Hurricanes. Wick was the main claimant (as well as Leie, Hahn & Schnell) so it is probable he got Tillet and Adair but not conclusive. I don't think the NA will add more than what Andy can give you so save yourself a journey!

[JamesD]

Hi Andy and Chris, thanks for your replies.

The NA isnt too much of a hassle as I'm there quite frequently researching various things.

I've been researching Adair and Tillett mainly as I live very close to both crash sites and their memorial markers have always interested me, but I havent had a chance to look into them further until now. Now I'm hoping to write an article for a magazine that I've recently started contributing to, the idea being to provide an example of how readers can research something like this, what sources are out there, etc.

[ahafan]

Originally Posted by Andy Saunders

James

I have a considerable file on the loss of Adair, Tillett and co on 6 November and I am also in contact with the family of Hubert Adair.

There is rather too much information to post here, or to answer your specific questions. However, Helmut Wick and JG 2 were certainly involved in the action. I may have imagined this, but I think I wrote an article on the episode for the magazine "FlyPast" many years ago but no idea which year/issue. Probably circa 1980/81.

Andy

there's even a Photograpth taken of the dogfight by Alexander Mckee. nov 5th-6th.40.showin Adairs Hurricane Going down.
lou

[Andy Saunders]

James

Good luck with the project. However, it has been covered pretty comprehensively already.

Andy

[Chris Goss]

...and I think Andy will agree that the 238 and especially 213 Sqn ORBs are pretty thin for this period

[Andy Saunders]

Exactly so, Chris. I have copies of both for the early Nov period and they are pretty much devoid of any detail of substance. Pretty dire, actually.

For the interest of James, the memorials were funded and placed by a Mr Graham Alderson - although I am not sure if he is still around? James may also like to know that the family are currently planning a memorial service for Hubert Adair that can be attended by the new generation(s) of his family.

Andy

[JamesD]

I get what you're saying Andy.

What I'm aiming for with this article really is an example of how someone can research local military history, starting from the memorial stones and going through what sources are out there, to build up a bigger picture. It might well be that I use another example.

Adair's memorial has always interested me as hardly any local people know that it is there. I remember the local paper running a story almost 10 years ago, when the Pub next to it erected an advertising sign that completely obscured the memorial. Suffice to say they quickly took it down again.

[B.F.M. Droog]

Hello James,

I've a question about: "Sergeant Adair's remains were recovered, however the local coroner decided not to hold an inquest and Adair is still listed as Missing and on the Runneymede memorial."

If the body was found, why no burial or cremation?

Regards,

Bart