Circus 87 claims 26.08.1941

[Stig Jarlevik]

Originally Posted by Greg S.

Hi,


the official report of Circus 87 said claimes were 1-2-3: 0-2-0 for 452 and 1-0-3 for 603.

I amused myself by checking how John Foreman interpreted these claims, and he differs quite a bit....with a total 3-1-2

452Sq: 2-0-0 (F/L A G Douglas and Sgr A R Stuart, one destroyed each)
603Sq: 1-1-2 (F/L F D S Scott-Malden, destroyed; Sgt D F Ruchwaldy, prob dest; Sgt D J Prytherch and again Sqt Ruchwaldy, one damaged each
(He lists the same claims in his Fighter Command War Diaries Vol 2)

Also in his latest book Air-War 1941 The non-stop offensive part one, he again says basically the same except:
603Sq: All pilots are now from 611Sq (presumably a mind lapsus since nothing indicates that these pilots were from anything else than 603Sq)

Checking what is availble in Shores' books I find that he gives the following
A G Douglas confirmed claim 26.8.1941
A R Stuart confirmed claim 26.8.1941
F D S Scott-Malden confirmed claim 26.8.1941
D F Ruchwaldy one probable and one damaged 26.8.1941)
D J Prytherch one damaged 26.8.1941

So in this case, both Foreman and Shores say exactly the same thing.

How this should be interpreted with the "official view" is something I don't know.... What actually is an official RAF view?

Cheers
Stig