Combats off Le Havre AM 4 May 42

[Chris Goss]

Hptm Ignaz Prestele Gr Kdr I./JG 2 was shot down off Cap D'Antifer on 4 May 42 and died in hospital the same day. I have him plus one more from JG 2 shot down (in Bf 109 Fs) (there was a Fw 190 of JG 26 slightly damaged). The RAF claimed 5 Bf 109 Fs destroyed 1020-1040 hrs (72, 124 Sqn & Biggin Hill Wg) plus another four damaged (222 Sqn, Biggin Hill Wg & North Weald Wg). However, in the same combat JG 2 claimed 7 Spitfires and a cursory glance shows three Spitfires lost. Any ideas as to who might have got Prestele?

[BruceMk11]

Perhaps Hugo Armstrong (72 Sqn)? He appears to have claimed one and a shared on this date, so must be in the running.

www.cieldegloire.com/002_raaf_armstrong_h_t.php

Lex McAulay included a chapter on Armstrong in 'Four Aces', Banner Books (1998), and more recently published a Kindle only bio, presumably an enlarged version of the original chapter in 'Four Aces'. He may have looked into this combat and drawn some conclusions.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/...pitfire-leader

[Chris Goss]

Thanks Bruce. Unfortunately other claims in the same location & time were filed by:

Plt Off R C Kitchen 72 Sqn
Flt Sgt B J Hull 124 Sqn
Plt Off R Beaumont/Sgt F Ogden/Sgt N K T Stanton 222 Sqn and Gp Capt P R Barwell Biggin Hill Wg (damaged)
Wg Cdr J Rankin (dest & dam)
Wg Cdr D Scott-Malden North Weald Wg (dam)

[BruceMk11]

'No 72 Sqn's tally for the sweep was two Bf 109Fs destroyed by Australian Flt Lt Armstrong (W3429), one of them shared with New Zealander Plt Off Hardy (BL733), one Bf 109E destroyed by Plt Off Kitchen (AD513), and Plt Off Walters (BM384), another New Zealander, shared a Dornier Do 217 with the Biggin Hill station commander, Gp Capt Dickie Barwell (YO-B). Wg Cdr Rankin (AA945) also claimed one Bf 109F destroyed and another damaged. Adding to the wing's score, a sergeant pilot of 124 also destroyed an Fw 190.'

Swift to Battle, Tom Docherty; p. 190

It seems like the main contenders are Armstrong, Hardy, Kitchen and Rankin. Have you examined the combat reports for the above?

[Chris Goss]

Thanks Bruce but my worry is each combat report will not be that precise as to who got Prestele as there was a degree of overclaiming

[BruceMk11]

True, but let me know if you want a copy of Armstrong's report, as it's reasonably detailed.

[Chris Goss]

Bruce: If you have a copy to hand and it isn't too much trouble, yes please. Shall I PM you my email?

[BruceMk11]

No trouble Chris, I'll look out for your PM.