Pilot of Hurricane L1639?

[DaveM2]

All

In May 1940 an 85 Sqdn Hurricane L1639 crashed into a field near a small wooded area, in France, it having been the victim of a Bf-109 of JG 26. The RAF pilot, Parnell, bailed out.
Does anyone know the rank and first name of Parnell and have details of the combat?

TIA
Dave

[Peter Cornwell]

Dave,

Your information is incorrect. The date was 14 May 1940 and details are as follows:

504 SQUADRON, LILLE-MARCQ



Hurricane L1639. Shot down in combat with Bf109s of III./JG26and crashed at ‘Hameau de Caillou’, Chaussée-Notre-Dame-Louvignies, 5.40 p.m. Possibly that claimed by Lt Blume of 7./JG26. Squadron Leader James Boyd PARNALL killed. Aircraft a write-off.
The date of death of this officer is recorded by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission as May 15.

Source: The Battle of France Then & Now (2007)

[DaveM2]

Hi Peter

Many thanks for your swift response, most appreciated-as is the correct information!. The remains of this aircraft are the basis of a rebuild by the Cambridge Bomber & Fighter Society, as you may already know.

regards
Dave

[arnaud]

Bonjour,

For S/L J. B. Parnall, I have collected several documents saying he flew Hurricane No. L1941!:
- L1941: S/L Parnall, F.B., killed (Royal Air Force Historical Branch).
- L1941: 504 Sqn, pilote inconnu ; missing over France, 14.5.40 (Masson F. K., 1990).

I have one source saying that the aircraft at Chaussée is No. K3527:
- K3527: British fighter a/c reported as Spitfire came down 1730 14/5 at Chaussées NO (?) or Nr (?) Louvignies K3527. Pilot attempted jump but got caught at wing and was killed. Unable yet to obtain name. Gendarmerie state Canadian (The National Archive).

Matricule 90060 killed on May 15 and buried at Chaussee-Notre-Dame-Louvignies (GWGC).

L1639: S/L Parnall (Franks N.).
Abattu au « hameau du Caillou » (TDIM).

I don’t know why you say that S/L Parnall was in L1639 and not in L1941?
Do you know what type of aircraft is K3527?

Bon vol

Arnaud

[DaveM2]

Hi Arnaud

Interesting, thanks. I have been given an article on the rebuild of the Hurricane and am wanting to check some of the historical facts-which are obviously wrong!
So we currently have Parnall being lost in two different machines that day, and now another 'unknown' as well. Nothing is easy I guess!

regards
Dave

[Andy Saunders]

K3527 is recorded as a Fairey Seal, lost 13.1.1938.....so clearly something wrong with that number, Arnaud.

As a matter of interest, DaveM2, what is the basis of the rebuild of L1639?

Is there some recovered wreckage with an identity and provenance that can be attached to it?

[arnaud]

Bonjour,

Agreed. Something's wrong with this number K3527, but I don't know where is the mistake the "K", the "3"... If someone has an idea? The report seems clear: it is a fighter: pilot killed...

Bye

[Pieter H]

P3527 was a Hurricane!
But I have no traces/references to it being operated nor lost in France.

Pieter

[ClinA-78]

Hello,

Can you confirmed if this Hurricane crashed well in France ? As there is - by coincidence - a village named 'Chaussée-Notre-Dame-Louvignies' with the hamlet 'Le Caillou' in Belgium too and one source (currently not at hand) states this aircraft crashed in Belgium.

Best regards

ClinA-78

[Andy Saunders]

Arnaud

As I am sure you will have found, often times serial numbers were incorrectly recorded from crash sites and this might sometimes have been due to damage caused in the crash and from fire etc. Also, quite often reports quoted the aircraft number which was actually a part number found on a piece of wreckage or engine etc. So, this could be the case here I suppose. It might also be a case of looking at how all the numbers might have been misread...eg a 2 for a 3 an 8 for a 0 or a 7 for a 5 or a 6 for and 8.....etc etc etc.

So many permutations.....!! But then I am trying to teach an already well experienced researcher and investigator.