No. 4 Ferry Pilots Pool - 18 June 1940 numbers

[Danny152]

On 18 June 1940, a large contingent of Hurricanes - Blenheim's departed the UK, heading towards Malta to boaster the RAF numbers on the island. These were escorted by three Hudsons carrying spares.

I have had two conflicted stories actually what the total of aircraft was. 6x Hurricanes and 12x Blenheim's?

Thanks for your help in advance.

Cheers

Danny

[RSwank]

You have probably seen this from the Malta War Diary for 22 June:

https://maltagc70.wordpress.com/2020...nd-in-malta-2/

"Six Hurricane aircraft have arrived in Malta to join the Fighter Flight. Early this afternoon two Hurricanes landed from Bizerta after a difficult journey across southern France and along the North African coast. As dusk fell, two more completed the same journey, followed by two more in the early evening. The six aircraft were all that reached Malta out of twelve Hurricanes and twelve Blenheims that set off from the UK on 18 June. They join recently arrived Hurricanes from Egypt and will significantly strengthen the Island’s defences"

[Danny152]

Thanks for this information. Very helpful indeed! I am stuck on a few other pleas regarding this event.

The first, can anyone provide the full name of this pilot, his Hurricane was damaged on 18 June and remained in France.

Pilot: Pilot Officer J.C Smyth

The next plea, and is abit confusing.

The formation was split on 18 June over France during the first leg of the journey, it seems it was doomed from the start! Apparently 6 Hurricanes and 1 Blenheim landed at Ussel, and the remaining 5 Blenheim's and 6 Hurricanes landed at Marseille., is this correct and did the Ussel group carry on on 18 June and join up with the 2nd formation, all departing on 19 June?

I can't get my head around this one!

Thanks

Danny

[Chris Goss]

John Cavendish

[Danny152]

Cheers Chris.