Was Spitfire PR Mk IV - AA810 the first PR Spitfire shot down and pilot captured

[Larry]

I have read that Spitfire PR Mk IV - AA810 was the first PR Spitfire shot down and pilot captured?

Is this true?

[Nick Hector]

Spitfire III N3069 of PDU on 22 March 1940 is the earliest I can find to be lost to a Messerschmitt 109. P/O Claude Mervyn Wheatley, baled out but KIA when chute failed to open.
Claimed by Harald Jung of 1/JG 20 6km NW of Kleve/Dutch border, S of Arnhem

If you specifically mean one where the pilot was POW, then I think Spitfire PR IA N3071 of 212 sqn, F/O Cecil Milne POW. That was downed by Fw. Hans John on 21st April 1940 36km SE of Stuttgart/Grossbettlingen

[Alain57]

Hello ,

P/O Wheatley 39147 is buried at the Reichswald cemetery in Germany , Milne C 33273 was POW at Stalag Luft 3 nr 412

[Alain57]

Hello ,
P/O Whealey Claude Mervyn ( via find a grave )

[Andy Fletcher]

Larry,

Nick is correct in that 'Snowy' Milne was the first photo recce pilot to be captured, though by the date of his loss Spitfire N3071 had been modified to Type B standard.

Between the loss of Milne in N3071 on 21 Apr 40 and Gunn in AA810 on 05 Mar 42 there were 16 photo recce pilots lost flying Spitfires who became POW.

Best Regards

Andy Fletcher

[Larry]

Thanks folks,

Regarding the loss of Gunn in AA810 it is said he was the first but perhaps they failed to say 'Over Northern Norway'. The account says the Germans were unable to believe the range of his Spitfire so thought he must be operating out of a secret airbase in Norway or Sweden, so were keen to interrogate the pilot.

BTW - which JG was Fw. Hans John from?

[Andy Fletcher]

Fw Hans John was with 4./JG 51