Skua rescue in Norway

[ATCCbengt]

Originally Posted by Kjetil Aakra

Thanks for the update, Bengt. This indeed sounds like it is L2896. Can you confirm the "A" on the tailfin?

Kjetil Aakra

Yes. An 'A'. Painted on the fin in a light green colour with a black outline. Could this green colour mean 'Green Flight' within the squadron?

Bengt

[Kjetil Aakra]

Thanks again.

Hm, the green colour is indeed unusual! I am tempted to make a preliminary profile, but I guess so are you!!

Is the pilot still belived to be Casson (?) or whatever his name was? If so, could the green colour of the letter be related to him being a Squad leader or something?

Kjetil

[ATCCbengt]

Originally Posted by Kjetil Aakra

Thanks again.

Hm, the green colour is indeed unusual! I am tempted to make a preliminary profile, but I guess so are you!!

Is the pilot still belived to be Casson (?) or whatever his name was? If so, could the green colour of the letter be related to him being a Squad leader or something?

Kjetil

Yes.Thats correct. He was the squadron CO. He and his navigator, Lt. Fanshawe, were taken Pow's.

Bengt

[Alex Smart]

Hi,
Good news all round as crew were POW.
Air Brit FAA Aircraft 1939-1945 has them in Skua L2991. (?)
FTR Ark Royal in "A7A", shot down after DB attack on SCHARNHORST at Trondheim, and crashed at Langvika, Stjornfjord, Fosen, Cat W, 13.6.40.

All the best
Alex

[flyvrak]

Hi
I believe it was Skua 6A: L2995 which ditched at Stallvika in Stjørnfjord. Acting Major Richard Thomas Partridge were rescued from sea,Lieutenant Robert Southey Bostock(KIA)
Regarding L2896:
http://ktsorens.tihlde.org/flyvrak/orkdalsfjord.html

regards Kjell

[Alex Smart]

Hello Kjell,

What makes you change your mind on L2896 to L2995 please ?

Have remains been found in the wreckage ?

Crews of the Eight a/c lost were -
800 Squadron
Bostock - killed - L2995
Crawford - killed - L3028
Cunningham - POW - L3000
Finch-Noyes - Killed - L3000
Gallagher - killed - L3028
Martin - POW - L3047
Partridge - POW - L2995
Tremeer - Missing - L3047
803 Squadron
Bartlett - POW - L2955
Casson - POW - L2991
Fanshawe - POW - L2991
Filmer - POW - L2963
Harris - killed - L2992
McKee - POW - L2963
Richards - POW - L2955
Stevenson - POW/DoW 31/5/41 - L2992

Names linked to serial numbers in FAA Aircraft 1939-1945 (Air Brit).


Alex

[flyvrak]

Hello Alex
Sorry about this confusion. No, I haven't changed my mind. It was L2896 which was raised from the Orkdalsfjord last Tuesday.

I do not know if any remains were found in L2995 which ditched in Stjørnfjord on the same date as L2896

regards Kjell

Originally Posted by Alex Smart

Hello Kjell,

What makes you change your mind on L2896 to L2995 please ?

Have remains been found in the wreckage ?

Alex

[Alex Smart]

hello Kjell,

Many thanks for your reply.
It is now clear that
Casson and Fanshawe were in Skua L2896 and not in Skua L2991 as previously recorded in the Air Brit book.

May those still recorded as Missing rest in peace.

Thanks for your good work .
Alex

[Kjetil Aakra]

Here's my personal interpretation of Skua L2896, based on photographs and information from Bengt.

Quite an unusual cololur scheme compared to what we would expect from official documentation and previous knowledge, I think. And the green letter is highly unexpected.



Regards,

Kjetil Aakra

[Boris Ciglic]

Hey Kjetil,

its a beautiful profile but you got the serial wrong