218 SQUADRON CREW LIST 14-05-40

[Iain Torrance]

I’ve spent considerable time researching Battle Squadrons in the Blitz period.

Firstly I’ve not found the source of the 11 planes and 10 lost?

However I believe these (with fates) were the 218 Squ a/c at Auberive on 10 May


K9251
HA-K
Abandoned – Auberive?
K9273
HA-R
Abandoned, Auberive - (Damaged in ops and/or possibly bombed on ground ) (
K9325
HA-D
St.-Vith - Shot down over the target - Pilot; F/O A.J.Hudson PoW – 11 May (Photo)
K9353
HA-J
Sensenruth (Luxembourg), 3 km N of Bouillon, Belgium - F/S J.B.Horner KIA - 12 May
L5192
HA-P
Abandoned Auberive? (Photo)
L5232

shot down Sauville (Ardennes), 19 km SSW of Sedan - Pilot P/O W.A.R.Harris Inj (Photo)
L5235
HA-W
Thelonne (Ardennes), 8 km S of Sedan - Pilot; P/O A.M.Imrie PoW (Photo)
P2183

Nouvion-sur-Meuse 7 km WSW of Sedan - Pilot; F/S F.S.Bazalgette KIA -12 May
P2189

Abandoned - Auberive?
P2192
HA-E
Abandoned - Auberive? (Photo)
P2203

On hillside to West of Basbellian, Luxembourg - Pilot; Sgt C.J.E.Dockrill KIA – 11 May
P2249
(HA-U)
St.-Vith - Pilot; P/O H.M.Murray PoW – 11 May
P2324

nr Sedan by ground fire; Pilot; F/O D.A.J.Foster PoW – 14 May
P2326

nr St.-Vith by ground fire - Pilot; F/O C.A.R.Crews PoW – 11 May
L5402

Damaged by ground fire Luxembourg - on 10 May, returned, later abandoned (Auberive)
K9323

RETURNED TO UK


Two planes further planes were received before 14 May - L5422 o 12 May and P2360 on 13 May


The following were the losses on 14 May
L5232 – PO Harris wounded, returned, Sgt Basil Herriot, Observer and AC1 William Robinson KIA
L5422 - FO Johnny Crane, KIA, AC1 Holloway POW

P2324 - FO Foster and AC1 Bryan POW
.
L5235 (HA-W) - PO Athur ‘Bale-out’ Imrie POW and LAC Alfred Taylor KIA

P2360 - PO Robert Buttery KIA and AC2 William Waterson KIA

I believe the six other planes would therefore be K9251, K9273, L5192, P2192 L5402, P2189 and K9323- the last plane eventually returned to the UK.

I’ve seen a lot of photos of K9251, K9273, L5192, P2192 as abandoned planes – but I’ve not seen photos of L5402 or P2189

In respect of aircrew from DFC/DFM recs and Malcolm’s excellent research we have.two proven crews with F/Lt. Hughes & Sgt. Marchandas the pilots

Additionally I recently found a DFM recommendation (not awarded) for a Sgt pilot Charles Dancaster OWEN, (590620) for this action.

So there is proof of three planes returning.

Conclusion if 11 planes is correct, five did not return, perhaps five DBR, one OK – hence 10 not returned or DBR…the myth of 10 ‘lost’

Lastly the Battle File and T&N need to be read with caution. The Battle File is accurate in the details of the plane records, but there are errors and omissions in those records. T&N also has errors on a/c attribution and photos.

Hope that helps

Iain