218 SQUADRON CREW LIST 14-05-40

[Iain Torrance]

Having gone back over the records a few more thoughts on the two HA-Rs (or the HA-R & HA-B)

My hunch is that the photo ‘in the wood’ is likely to be HA-B.

So if that’s right then it would be a newly coded HA-B replacing K9324, well documented as having the B plane code, which left 218 Squ on 7 March. Incidently K9256 also seems to have left the squadron at that date (incidentally this plane is stated by Cornwell as abandoned at Auberive this is unlikely as Battle File has it as gone to 21AD, Nantes). There was also the Hulbert crash, on 1 March, of K9252.

Consistent with this are the three planes recorded as arriving 218 Squadron in early March, presumed as replacements, and one of two these could have been coded HA-B....

L5232 – was the Harris loss on 14 May – crew killed
P2189 – I have nothing on the fate of this a/c
P2192 - arrived 12 March is the much photographed HA-E abandoned Auberive

Can anybody please help with further info on L5232 or P2189? Photos?

Also L5402 is recorded in Battle File as Damaged by ground fire Luxembourg - on 10 May, returned, and abandoned on evacuation

Again I’ve never seen a confirming photo, or other evidence, can any body please help on that one?

Thanks

Iain