Lewis, 87 Sqn; MJ or MS?

[BruceMk11]

In 'Fighters over Tunisia', a F/L MJ Lewis, 87 Sqn, is credited with a Bf 109G,
10/5/43; are the initials correct? There was a F/L MS Lewis, RAAF, on 87 Sqn
at the same time. Probably a typo-but you never know!
He was flying a Spitfire 5C; the serial & codes would be appreciated.

Cheers, Bruce

[AUS_RAAF]

Hi Bruce,

Probably M.S.
He later commanded 85 Sqn RAAF which includes the following excerpt in the ORB (NAA website-pages 610/611).......

“A/S/Ldr Lewis who assumes command of 85 Squadron, is a fighter pilot of considerable experience. An EATS Trainee, he joined 87 RAF night fighter Hurricane Squadron in September 1941, seeing plenty of action during “the blitz”. A year was spent with 87 Squadron in North Africa and Sicily, covering the period of the invasion of Sicily. While in North Africa, S/Ldr Lewis shot down an Me 109. Before returning to Australia, S/Ldr Lewis spent 5 months as Commanding Officer of 32 Squadron, flying Spitfire Mk. 8’s in Italy.”

regards, Drew

[BruceMk11]

Thanks Drew; I'll have to look at the 85 Sqn ORB sometime. His personal
file has also been digitised.
Can anyone help with his a/c serial & codes?

Cheers, Bruce

[Frank Olynyk]

This is presumably Michael Stanley Lewis, according to the RAAF Nominal Roll website. I haven't checked the 87 Sqn ORB yet. The reference to 85 Squadron must be to 85 RAAF Sqn, not 85 RAF Sqn (a night fighter unit for much of the war).

Enjoy!

Frank.