Loss of Wg Cdr Blatchford - 3 May 43

[AndyMa]

Coltishall Wing Leader Wg Cdr Howard Blatchford was lost on an escort mission to Amsterdam on 3 May 43.

The latest issue of Aviation News has an article on 118 Sqn which says
"Blatchford’s Spitfire, EP126/HP-B, had been badly damaged in the fighting and crashed into the sea during the return flight"
An article in Air Enthusiast 73 (1998, different author) says (identically!):
"Blashford's (sic) Spitfire, EP126/HP-B, had been badly damaged in the fighting and crashed into the sea during the return flight"
However, both articles also then go on to say that EP126 was lost on 16 August 1943 whilst being flown by the Norwegian 2/Lt Liby. This seems to accord with the loss date given by most sources.

Can anyone please confirm which aircraft Blatchford was flying on 3 May 43?

[Alex Smart]

EN971

EN971 Vb CBAF M45 5MU 20-5-42 19S 28-6-42 234S 15-9-42 AST Escort Venturas to Ijmuiden shot up by Fw190s and ditched in North Sea 3-5-43 FH260.00 W/C H P Blatchford DFC killed (Coltishall Wing Leader)

[AndyMa]

Thank you Alex.