72 Sqn 11 Jul 41

[Chris Goss]

On this date, FS Bill Lamberton crash-landed his Spitfire at Lympne. It had suffered combat damage and was low on fuel. Can anyone add a serial number?

[JohnE]

ORB says W3171. Crashed at 15.35.

"Gifts of War" says Lamberton and W3171 was with 74 Sq.

John Engelsted

[Chris Goss]

Thanks John. 74 Sqn had just handed over its ac to 72 Sqn so this might explain this

[Stig Jarlevik]

Interesting Chris/John

I don't have the ORB but Gifts of War and the same Lamberton was shot down just three days later, July 14th, in another Gift of War, R7219.

In the book's defence it clearly states that R7219 had belonged to 74 Sq until July 5th when it was transferred to 72 Sq, so on the 14th Lamberton certainly was with 72 Sq as you say. It would be interesting to know if W3171 was transferred on the same day?

Poor Lamberton spent the rest of the war in a Stalag, but at least he survived his two nasty encounters with the Luftwaffe.

Cheers
Stig

[Chris Goss]

Lamberton told me that when 74 left Gravesend for Acklington and 72 came from Acklington to Gravesend, 72 inherted 74's ac and had to repaint them with their Sqn codes

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thanks Chris

Checking the dates in The Squadrons of RAF
74 Sq left Gravesend/arrived Acklington July 9th
72 Sq left Acklington/arrived Gravesend July 8th

Not 100% the same dates as for the aircraft (July 5th), but close...

Cheers
Stig