Lysander L4773, 26 Sqdn, 20/05/1940

[B.F.M. Droog]

Can anyone confirm or deny that

E.D. Pennington, RAF 42146
R.B. Erskine, RAF 581506
are P/O Pennington and LAC Erskine who formed the crew of this plane:

Type: Westland Lysander
Serial number: L4773, RM-?
Operation: Reconnaissance, F
Lost: 20/05/1940
P/O Pennington - believed captured
LAC Erskine - believed captured
Took off from Lympne. forced-landed on beach during evening reconnaissance sortie over Calais, 19.00 hrs.

P/O Pennington is likely to be: E.D. Pennington, RAF 42146, Camp L3, POW n° 33109; reported as POW in The Times Saturday, 06/07/1940

LAC Erskine could be:
R.B. Erskine, RAF 581506, Camp L6, POW n° 20264; reported as missing in 1940

Sources: Peter D. Cornwell, The Battle of France, Then and Now, 2008; Ross McNeill, Air Force PoWs 1939 to 1945; see also RAF Commands Forum: LAC Erskine and P/O Pennington

Regards,

Bart
(with thanks to Amrit)

[Gerry Bevan]

Hi

I've just bought a photo of a Lysander - and it turns out to be L4773....!!

Are you a Lysander Expert...??

Would be happy to supply you with a scan of the photo if you like ??

The Lysander obviously landed very much intact, so Crew must have survived.

Look forward to your reply.

Best wishes

Gerry

[B.F.M. Droog]

Hello Gerry,

A 'specialist' is a big word - I'm a mere researcher of RAF losses May/June 1940, with the focus on the human aspect. But... I'm very interested in a scan of the photo.

I would like to publish it on my 26 Squadron page, if it's legal to do so. Do you know who took the photo?

My e-mail addresses are:

droog AT epibreren DOT com
bfmdroog AT live DOT nl

Both are in working order.

Regards,

Bart