73 Sqn May-June 1940

[robert]

Hi,

I`m looking for following details concerning 73 Sqn losses:
- on the 24.05 two Hurricanes from this squadron were lost in combat with Bf110s. I`m looking for serials and take-off time
- on the 25.05 F/L Thorn was taken POW. I`m looking for reason, take-off time and place.
- on the 26.05 P/O Syndeham was killed in air combat with Bf109. I`m looking for serial and take-off time.
- on the 15.06 sgt.McNey went MIA. I`m looking for serial, take-off time and reason of this loss.

TIA.

Regards

Robert

[Bernard]

Hi Robert, it seems our interests are similar ?!
Here is the first part:


AIR 35/253 67 WING COMBAT REPORTS.

F. Form 683
SECRET
CYPHER MESSAGE.

Received. S.1.Tels. 2205 hours. 25.5.40.

(A) Fighter Combat Report Serial No. 1 dated 24 may 1940.
(B) 1350 hours.
(C) South West of Cambrai.
(D) 16000 to 12000 ( feet ).
(E) 15 unidentified bombers and 30 Me 110.
(F) 12 Hurricanes No.73 Squadron.
(G) 1 Me110 definitely , 2 very probable.
(H) 2 aircraft one pilot seen to drop in wood by parachute.
(J) aircraft with french marking swooped and fired a burst at one of our aircraft when landing at THELMA. Presumable aircraft captured by german.
(K) NIL.
(L) Hurricanes flying in echelon to port sighted very close formation of 20 bombers flying west . 2 or 3 miles to right of bombers were five layers of six Me 110. The layers were not over one another but kept back 8 so that the highest layer was sighted last. Hurricanes were flying just below highest aircraft. Me 110 of all layers formed a circle into which Hurricane Leader broke sending down the first Me 110 in flames. Two other Me 110 dived apparently out of control giving off black smoke. 1 Hurricane pilot seen to jump . Nothing is certainly known of the missing Hurricane. Me 110 attacked Hurricanes in groups of two or three. Hurricanes dived and not re-assemble until return to THELMA.

THELMA Was the code name for ROUEN-BOOS ( AIR 35/63 ).


F/O Bell-Syer ( 39266 ) baled out from Hurricane L ( serial nbr ? ). Pilot severly burned.

P/O P E G Carter ( 41375 ) baled out from Hurricane K ( serial number ? ). Pilot safe.

Sgt Scott A E ( 117308 ) crash-landed Hurricane ( ? ) at THELMA. Pilot uninjured.

Best regards.

Bernard.

Next is to come.

[Peter Cornwell]

Robert,

Some details of the losses you asked about extracted from The Battle of France Then & Now due to be published on February 15, 2008:

73 SQUADRON, ROUEN-BOOS May 24, 1940

Hurricane. Crashed on landing after transfer flight from Gaye 8.35 a.m. Sergeant A. E. Scott believed unhurt. Aircraft damage state not recorded.

Hurricane P2803. Shot down in combat with Bf110s of V.(Z)/LG1 south-west of Amiens 1.30 p.m. Possibly that claimed by Fw Jentzsch and Oberfw Kobert. Flying Officer H. B. Bell-Syer baled out wounded in leg and badly burned face and hand, evacuated to hospital in Le-Grand-Lucé. Aircraft TP*L a write-off.

Hurricane P3274. Shot down in combat with Bf110s of V.(Z)/LG1 south-west of Amiens 1.30 p.m. Possibly that claimed by Lt Zobel. Pilot Officer P. E. G. Carter baled out unhurt. Aircraft TP*K a write-off.

73 SQUADRON, GAYE May 26, 1940

Hurricane. Shot down by Hptmn Pingel (Staffelkapitän) of 2./JG53 and crashed and burned out at Chuffilly-Roche, north-west of Vouziers, 9.55 a.m. Pilot Officer F. Sydenham fell dead at ‘Jardin Prosper’. Aircraft TP*H a write-off.

Hurricane. Collided with stationary aircraft on landing 10.50 a.m. Sergeant W. Millner unhurt. Aircraft *A repairable.

Hurricane. Parked aircraft subject of collision with Sgt Millner 10.50 a.m. No pilot casualty. Aircraft a write-off.

73 SQUADRON, CHÂTEAU BOUGON June 15, 1940

Hurricane. Shot down by Bf109 following cover patrol for Battles over Les Andelys and belly-landed north of Le Mans 6.00 a.m. Sergeant A. L. McNay wounded in shoulder. Aircraft TP*D a write-off.
Alex McNay’s own account dates this event June 13 although surviving squadron records and Squadron Leader More’s report of operations in France both indicate otherwise.


I know of no F/Lt Thorn of No. 73 Squadron lost on May 25, 1940.

[robert]

Hi all,

thanks for your splendid infos.
Yes Bernard I think are interests have something in common.
You can contact me off board perhaps I will have something interesting for you.

Regards

Robert

[robert]

Hi all,

thanks for your great infos.

Regards

Robert

[Brian]

Hi Robert

Thorn was D.S. THOM (see 12 Days in May)

Cheers
Brian

[robert]

Hi Brian,

yes indeed I made mistake.
You wrote that 73 Sqn lost one pilot on the 25.05.40, who became POW. Do you have any other details of this combat? You noted also loss of two pilots from the 151 Sqn - any comments?

Regards

Robert

[Bernard]

Hi Robert,

Here is what I have concerning F/O D S Thom loss.

AIR 35/252. 67 Wing Consolidated Combat Reports :
OPERATIONNAL SUMMARY.
No. 1 Squadron. 25th may 1940.

Two patrols of five aircaft covered the line
BERGERES to BRIENNE from 05.50 hours to 08.50 hours, and
LE CHATEAU from 10.00 to 11.00 hours and saw nothing.
A protection patrol for a french reconnaissance
Aircraft was carried out from 15.00 hours to 15.25 hours on the
Line CHAUNY-LAON at 16,000 feet, wich was as high as cloud
Would permit, no enemy aircraft were seen, but three of our
Aircraft were hit by very accurate A/A fire, wich was
Contiunuous during the whole patrol. F/O Thom was seen to break
Away from the formation with smoke or petrol pouring from his
Aircraft, and he was last seen heading North into german occupied
Territory. Two other aircraft were holed by fragments of schrapnel.
The patrol had been ordered for 45 mins. But after 25 mins. Two
Of the formation, those who had been doing the ‘ cross-over ’ were
On reserve, and the Flight was brought back to its base.


F/O D S Thom had been posted to No 1 Squadron on the 5th of may 1940. He was shot Down flying Hurricane P2880 and made POW. On this date, No 1 Squadron was operating from ANGLURE.


By the way Peter, very nice to read your precious informations, I am looking forward to read your book.

Very best regards.

Bernard.

[robert]

Hi Bernard,

thanks again!

Regards

Robert