Fighters over the Aegean ?

[Alex Smart]

Hello,
Have noted in Brian Cull's book "Fighters over the Aegean" what to me is a bit of a puzzle.

Re mention on page 30 and again on page 33 of Spitfire JK148.

Two separate events and two different pilots, not a problem but the serial number is.
There was it seems no Spitfire with this serial number, as the batch ended at JK145. So if not JK148 then what was the serial number ?

Another odd one is JG567 as recorded in a 7 SAAF document available from the National Archives. But did this a/c serve with 7 SAAF ? AB's JA100 - JZ999 has her with 607 and 67, SOC 31.5.45. I find it odd that the Squadron records the a/c serial number in the document incorrectly.
IIRC, Pilot Hynd in JG844 and Pilot Prescott in JG567.While in the book Prescott is said to have piloted JG844 and Hynd JK677. But on an earlier page Lt Seel is said to have been killed in JK677 on the 19th ?

Alex

[Graham Boak]

Sadly for us, it isn't that odd but fairly common. Some pilots even get things wrong in their own logbook. There simply were more important things to worry about, and humans are fallible.

You might look for JG567 in Spitfire The History, to see if that also records it as going to India.

One alternative is to look through the AB lists for all aircraft allocated to 7 SAAF, and see if you can spot an obvious transcription error. Such as JG657 - not an actual suggestion, but not untypical.

As for JG677, this is probably worth asking Brian if he (or his publisher) has introduced an error, or if it exists in the original documentation. I recall comment on UK-based Spitfires that occasionally a serial would continue to be mentioned after loss; either because the new aircraft had been issued the same aircraft letter, or because it had normally been flown by one particular pilot who was still with the unit.

[JohnE]

Prescott was flying JK667.

John Engelsted

[Alex Smart]

Hello Graham & John,

Graham, take your point but have already searched the AB series and their "Spitfire International" for the answer's.
Hence my questions on this forum.

John. What is your reference to state so firmly that Prescott was flying JK667 ?

In any event I offer the followng




Alex

[udf_00]

http://www.spitfires.ukf.net/production.htm

JG567 LFVIII 5053 CHA M66 FF 13-11-43 6MU 16-11-43 82MU 3-12-43 Kaimata 22-12-43 India 18-2-44 607S 67S SOC 31-5-45

JG677 LFVIII EA M66 9MU 20-3-44 82MU 14-4-44 Fort Churchill 17-5-44 India 4-7-44 SOC 11-4-46

JG844 Vc CBAF M46 45MU 21-1-43 215MU 28-1-43 Alphard 5-3-43 Takoradi 20-4-43 Middle East 10-5-43 Shot down by Bf109s over Cos 27-9-43 SOC 1-11-43

JK140 Vc CBAF M46 33MU 22-1-43 222MU 1-2-43 Alphard 5-3-43 Takoradi 20-4-43 Middle East 27-5-43 7SAAF Shot down by Bf109s over Kos 18-9-43

JK667 VcT CBAF M50 8MU 21-2-43 82MU 27-2-43 Fort McLeod 21-3-43 Casablanca 6-4-43 NWAfrica 30-4-43 Middle East 1-8-43 Shot down by Bf109s Kos 27-9-43

JK677 VcT CBAF M50 8MU 21-2-43 82MU 27-2-43 Fort La Mourne 12-3-43 Takoradi 20-4-43 Middle East 7-5-43 Spun into sea off Kos while chasing Bf109 19-9-43 SOC 1-11-43

[Brian]

Hi guys

I can't really add anything to what has been suggested, particularly by Graham. I may, of course, made errors when noting serial numbers.

Otherwise, I trust that the facts are correct, and those who have dipped into their wallets are pleased with the results.

Cheers & Happy New Year
Brian