Seeking Particulars, incl. Crash Location for Hurricane TPoZ of 73 SQ, crashed in France or Belgium during the WC

[Larry Hickey]

Hello,

There was a Hurricane coded TPoZ, SN unknown from 73 SQ, that crashed into a brick wall that was part of some kind of structure in France or Belgium probably sometime during the last two weeks of May 1940. This is NOT its replacement, TPoZ, P3398, which is reported returning to the UK on 18 June 1940.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/391284887837....com%2Fsch%2Fi.
html%3F_from%3DR40%26_sacat%3D0%26_nkw%3D391284887 837%26_rdc%3D1&autorefresh
=true=

Regarding the location provided by the seller of this eBay auction, Peter Cornwell says: "Seller indicates:"Neuf-Brisach, Frankreich" but "As the location given by the vendor is about 100 miles from the target area – I take leave to consider it spurious."

Who can help sort this out?

[paulmcmillan]

That does not look like a crash to me in traditional sense and why is the roof not damaged ?

It looks like it was under serving or something, the wings have been taken off neatly and placed next to it, cowling etc...


Could it have been a forced landing which was taken back by either German or UK forces

The German one could have been 'set up' as a crash for filming ??

[Larry Hickey]

Paul,

Good points. I don't have the answer, but there might be other photos of it FL in situ somewhere else which would prove your suggestion.

Can anybody shed more light on this a/c?

[Alex Smart]

Hello,

May not be but McFadden's P2811 down on 11th May 40 was said to have been hiden in a shed ?

Other 73 Sqn aircraft
????? - 31-10-39
L1959 - 8-11-39
????? - 8-11-39
N2385 - 22-12-39
L1967 - 22-12-39
L1587 - 27-2-40
L1808 - 2-3-40
L1958 - 2-3-40
L1962 - 12-3-40
N2364 - 12-3-40
????? - 22-3-40
L1766 - 26-3-40 ?
P2570 - 29-3-40
????? - 7-4-40
????? - 21-4-40
N2391 - 23-4-40
P2576 - 23-4-40
P2804 - 10-5-40 a/c "E"
N2318 - 10-5-40 a/c "J"
P2575 - 10-5-40
P2811 - 11-5-40 hidden in shed
P2813 - 11-5-40 a/c "H"
L1673 - 13-5-40
L1891 - 14-5-40
P2813 - 14-5-40 a/c "H" again pilot killed
P2689 - 14-5-40
P2812 - 14-5-40
N2366 - 14-5-40
N2334 - 14-5-40
P2579 - 15-5-40
L1693 - 15-5-40
N2334 - 15-5-40
N2404 - 16-5-40 - left behind on move to Villeneuve and set afire.
P2810 - 16-5-40 - left behind on move to Villeneuve and set afire.
????? - 16-5-40 - left behind on move to Villeneuve and set afire.
????? - 16-5-40 - left behind on move to Villeneuve and set afire.
????? - 16-5-40 - left behind on move to Villeneuve and set afire.
N2385 - 19-5-40 - f/l SE of Paris
P2543 - 19-5-40 - S/d, c/l
P2539 - 19-5-40 - f/l at Base
P2803 - 24-5-40 a/c "L"
????? - 24-5-40 a/c "K"
P2732 - 24-5-40
P3274 -26-5-40 a/c "H"
P2700 -1-6-40 a/c "K"
P3543 -1-6-40 a/c "E"
????? - 3-6-40
????? - 6-6-40
L1826 - 7-6-40
????? - 14-6-40
????? - 15-6-40
L1844 - 17-6-40

Alex
refs "12 Days in May" and FCL vol 1 revised. Sadly i do not have Don's 73 Sqn vol 1

[Larry Hickey]

Alex,

The building in the photos I have of this does look like it could be a shed, and the a/c does look disassembled, so maybe this is leading somewhere. I'll have to see what Peter Cornwell and our other team members make of this.

[paulmcmillan]

P2811 - 11-5-40 P/O Aubrey McFadden #42510

I read the account of this in '12 Days in May' says hit by Cannon-shell in radiator and force landed in a field near Poilcourt east of Neufchatel-sur-Aisne. He was unhurt and returned to unit only to be shot down again 3 days later

Now again only circumstantial evidence, but if hit in radiator wouldn't cowling be off as per photo? and also if hidden in shed, wouldn't be assumed it was recovered by RAF crew, which might explain why wings have been removed to facilitate recovery?

I note the seller also says Neuf-Brisach, Frankreich" and we have "Neufchatel"

Alex what is your reference for it being hidden in a shed thanks Paul

[Alex Smart]

Hello, Yes good question Paul, I had it on paper from some years ago, will search books and old mags for it.

As an addition Mushroom book Fighters over France has a colour profile of 73's "Z" N2358.
This a/c was one of those that were sold to Finland in February 1940, so photo is not N2358.

Alex

[Alex Smart]

Hello,

73's not in earlier list that were recorded as left in France

L1569
P2541
P2545
P2569
P2695
P2856

ref
Air Brits RAF serials.

Alex

[Alex Smart]

Hello,
adjustments

????? - 7-4-40
read
P2542 - 7-4-40

P2689 - 14-5-40
read
P2689 - 14-5-40 a/c "C"

P2812 - 14-5-40
read
P2812 - 14-5-40 a/c "A"

P2579 - 15-5-40
read
P2579 - 15-5-40 a/c "J"

L1693 - 15-5-40
read
L1693 - 15-5-40 a/c "K"

Ref: http://francecrashes39-45.net/rech_a...1a2c9ac22b765f

Alex