Pilot of Hurricane L1639?

[DaveM2]

Andy

This is all I was given re the recovery:

Recovered several years ago in France, following the discovery of location of the wreck through the help of a former 85 Squadron member, the late Joe Rogers, who served with the Sqdn when it was stationed there......

I will try and secure more info.

Was 85 Sqdn based at the Lille -Marcq as well as 504?

Clin A-78, France is stated, although nothing would surprise me!

regards
Dave

[ClinA-78]

Hello,

Well, searching the first piece of the puzzle!
Where did the aircraft crashed? In France or Belgium?
There is no "Chaussée-Notre-Dame-Louvignies" in France, albeit a "Louvignies" near Bavay. However there is a small village named "Chaussée-Notre-Dame-Louvignies" close to a "Louvignies" with the hamlet "Le Caillou", all situated West of Soignies. As 504 Sqn losses occured in the area roughly between Brussels-Ath, so is there a chance Parnall's crashsite is in Belgium?
What was the amount of wreckage found?
I have no knowledge of a dig there.

Best regards

ClinA-78

[arnaud]

Hello,

I am pretty sure S/L Parnall’s Hurricane was never dug up. So there is a good chance for you to find his aircraft near Louvignies in Belgium deep in the ground. If you find it and dig this one up, I am pretty sure it is n° L1941 Hurricane.

Wait and see and good luck in finding the wreckage of this Hurricane.

Bon vol

[arnaud]

Excuse me I have forgotten to mention this possibility: obviously not n° K3527 but a number close to K3527 (read ?????)... Wait and see...

- K3527: British fighter a/c reported as Spitfire came down 1730 14/5 at Chaussées NO (?) or Nr (?) Louvignies K3527. Pilot attempted jump but got caught at wing and was killed. Unable yet to obtain name. Gendarmerie state Canadian (The National Archive).

[ClinA-78]

Hello Arnaud,

I don't know even if Parnall's Hurricane was salvaged or remains buried into the ground but yes, it needs an investigation there... Why are you pretty sure that his aircraft was never dug up? Have you any doc confirming that?
Arnaud, you speak about L1639 OR L1941 (P/O Sibley's L1941, still MIA, but this is another story...)???

As written in N.Franks FC Losses, he is buried in Chaussée-Notre-Dame-Louvignies, in Belgium.

F/O M.E.A. Royce bailed out and his aircraft crashed in LOUVIGNIES. Same combat so I presume same crashlocation area?
I presume this was not Parnall's aircraft recovered in France. Moreover Dave speaks about a 85 Sqn pilot who bailed out. So I think this a case of 'melting-pot' (mixing info's)!
Any sweep here ?

ClinA-78

[arnaud]

Hello ClinA-78,

The Fighter Command losses book from N. Franks is interesting but there are many mistakes. Actually I don't know how M. Franks could write that this pilot or this one was in that or that Hurricane except if it is mentioned in O.R.B. which is quite rare.

According to accident cards from the Royal Air Force historical branch:
- S/L Parnall was in L1941 and P/O Sibley in L1943... What it is written in books is another story...

I don't know who piloted L1639... I need for that a good description about what was found on site and where was it ?

I think DaveM2 is working on it...

Bon vol

[ClinA-78]

Hello Arnaud,

For Parnall:
http://www.inmemories.com/Cemeteries/chaussee.htm

oulàlàlà... It becomes complicated!
As anyone already identified the Hurricane of Dave or give a precise crashlocation as the aircraft (or parts of) were recovered for some months/years???
We are waiting his reply.

Best regards

ClinA-78

[DaveM2]

Hi Guys

I have been informed that only components were recovered, they include rudder pedals, control cables etc, however several data plates were also found. The wreckage will eventually make up about 20 % of the rebuilt aircraft, with several other components coming from Russian wrecks contributing more.
Hopefully more info to come!

regards
Dave