23rd May 1940

[Andy Saunders]

According to the ORB for 24 Squadron:

11 June 1940

P/O L A Strange DSO MC DFC of 24 Squadron awarded bar to DFC. A report by P/O Strange of the flight in connection with which this decoration was awarded is attached (Appendix "C")

Unfortunately, I don't have Appendix "C" but maybe it outlines the facts of the citation?

On 8 June 1940 the same ORB gives this:

Fl Lt H B Collins 22215 of 24 Squadron awarded DFC. A report by Flt Lt Collins of the flight in connection with which this medal was awarded is attached (Appendix "B")

Again, I don't have Appendix "B" but maybe someone could look up his award details as I suspect he may have been the other impromptu Hurricane ferry pilot?

Andy Saunders

[paulmcmillan]

Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Flight Lieutenant Henry Bernard COLLINS
(22215).
In May, 1940, this officer undertook a
mission involving an exceedingly hazardous
flight. Flying a very large and a comparatively
slow aircraft, which was unarmed and
unprotected, he delivered much needed antitank
ammunition to the army in France.
Showing great coolness, determination and
tenacity he succeeded in his mission although
faced with hostile action on both the outward

and return flights.

Looks like it was a Transport Flight there and back

[Andy Saunders]

Thanks, Paul. That theory out of the window, then!

[B.F.M. Droog]

But it's now clear that P/O Strange was with 24 Squadron.

Does the ORB (May 1940) mention the type of aircraft flown by F/L Collins, or does it give more details regarding the operation in May for which he was decorated?

Cheers,

Bart

[Andy Saunders]

I only have extracts from the 24 Sqn ORB in relation to other unrelated research, and not the part about Collins I'm afraid.

[Bruce Lander]

Hi,

another published source I have just found for Strange's exploit :-
"The Royal Air Force in the World War - Vol 2" by N.McMillan pp 55 - 57.
This indicates that Strange was sent out to Merville as ground controller for the Transport aircraft that were evacuating the area and that the first Hurricane was repaired and flown out by a pilot already at Merville, however it then states that a second Hurricane was prepared just after noon and flown out by a pilot who had just baled out of his own fighter. A message was then dropped instructing Strange to fly out the third Hurricane himself, which he did, evading an attack by enemy fighters en-route to UK.
Which RAF units were involved in action over Merville at around noon ?

Bruce Lander

[paulmcmillan]

More information may be in the following books - text 'captured' from Google Books

Pathfinder Cranswick By Michael Cumming
Published 1962
W. Kimber
Page 41
At the last minute, before the enemy advanced on Merville, Louis Strange climbed
into the cockpit of the only plane left on the drome — a Hurricane fighter without any armament - and set
course for Hendon. The Germans were not going to let him slip away quite so easily. Messerschmitt fighters
raced to head him off and shoot him into the annel. Even so, by sheer experience in handling aircraft — an art he had learned probably
before the German pilots were born — Strange manoeuvred so cunningly that he must have bluffed his
interceptors into thinking he had guns in his plane and that when the occasion was ripe he
was going to use them with deadly accuracy.
He beat of attack after attack and all the more remarkable is the fact that he
had never before flown a Hurricane. For his action in bringing the Hurricane home there came
the award of a bar to the DFC he had won in the First World War.
The citation mentioned his work at Merville, France and went on:

Citation as previously posted

Hurricane By Edward Bishop
By Edward Bishop
Published 1986
Airlife
ISBN:0906393620

Of these, possibly the oddest concerned Louis Strange, ... Towards the end of May, Strange was part of an operation to fly spares and mechanics to Merville
to make Hurricanes sufficiently airworthy to fly home
He was to recall: 'We quickly got busy servicing the Hurricanes we had come to rescue. The first was soon away, a good
many bullet holes in it, the variable pitch airscrew tied into fine pitch with a bit of copper
wire and a piece of telephone back to the cockpit to enable the pilot to change pitch by breaking
the copper wire with a good tug, and other simple devices to make good broken controls and shot-away instruments.
In the event the pilot who made it home in this machine used it for his second attempt.
He had already baled out of a blazing Hurricane over the airfield. 'Have another Hurricane', Strange offered,
as the pilot landed. Strange, who had never flown a Hurricane, took the next one out. It was unarmed,
but he ran the gauntlet of antiaircraft fire and enemy fighters

[Alex Smart]

Hello Martin,

A Bit late now but in reply to your note re A E.

Yes his story is in issue 43 of AE and there is a letter to correct the editorial in issue 44 by Ray Sturdivant (apologies if spelling is wrong).

Strange must be the only aviator who was sacked from his job by the man he trained to fly. He had a runway extended because it was needed and did not have permission to do so. He flew over 5000 hrs and in over 100 different types.

And yes there were two Hurricanes repaired of 15, and the other pilot was P/O. Linney.Who took off first followed by Strange who's flight is detailed as is the repairs done, also the airfield where he landed is given. It may therefore be able to trace the Hurricane from there.

Alex

[paulmcmillan]

Would this be Anthony Stuart LINNEY (41717). He was a P/O at the time

later LINNEY, F/O A. S. 41717 British. 229 Squadron in BoB

[paulmcmillan]

Linney bailed out of a Hurricane 29th May 1940 - and landed where? could the dates of this incident be mixed up with 23rd May ?