Help with a 68/96 sqn RAF nightfighter claims?

[Tom Semenza]

Danny,

This is great stuff, presumably from Bennett's log book. It adds some to the info published in "Aces High." There is also some variance with the information on Parker-Rees in "Those Other Eagles."

A few questions and observations; In "Those Other Eagles" Shores has the following claims for Parker-Rees and Bennett:

15/16 Jan FW 190 HK412
28/29 Jan Me 410 Probable HK428
24/25 Feb He 177 Probable HK412
13/14 Apr Me 410 MM497
16/17 Jun V-1 MM497
5/6 Jul 2 V-1s MM497
6/7 Jul V-1 MM497
9/10 Jul* V-1 MM562
17/18 Jul 2 V-1s MM511
14/15 Aug V-1 MM525

* Cull in "Diver! Diver! Diver" gives the date as 10/11 July

I believe that serials HK412 and HK428 are incorrect as these two do not appear to have served with 96 Sqn. So HK421 is ZJ-W and MM497 is ZJ-T. Any idea as to the serial number for ZJ-N?

As you will note, the dates you list for the April claims are one day earlier than those listed by Shores. Can you confirm that your dates are correct?

Also do you have any information on the code letters for MM511, MM525 and MM562?

Finally, the claims you show for Bennett with F/O Welch in 68 Sqn. are 2 destroyed, 1 probable and 2 damaged, however Welch's name is not included in "Those Other Eagles." In Foreman's "RAF Fighter Command Victory Claims of WW Two" he is listed as W. E. Welch. Can you provide his full name and/or other information on him? Also the claims for 26/3/42 and 4/6/42 are not listed by Foreman.

Many thanks for any further details you can share.

Regards,

Tom