Loss of f/l Watts 07.04. 1945

[Stig Jarlevik]

Interesting topic

Franks in Fighter Command losses vol 3 also gives F/Lt G C S Pearson as the individual who was lost in KH686 (Pearson evidently also got back)

Since only one Mustang was lost on the 7th and I doubt that both Watt and Pearson shared the same cockpit, it seems rather evident that Pearson is wrong, or was by any chance a second Mustang lost that day?

Otherwise who was Pearson and why is he recorded as lost on this day?

At face value it looks to me as Pearson was recorded by mistake by the Squadron as MIA. Did by any chance Watt fly this mission in his place?

Cheers
Stig

[Leendert]

For those who have some or of course full knowledge of Norwegian, a background story on Gordon Watt here:
http://www.nrk.no/sognogfjordane/kve...tt_-1.11074720

Med vennlig hilsen,

Leendert

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thanks Leendert

Being from Sweden, I have no problems reading the text. Looks like both Watt and Pearson was on the mission together, so it is quite a mystery why Watt is not listed in the ORB and that Pearson was reported as the one MIA in KH686.

Feels like a really sloppy work by someone writing the diary....

Cheers
Stig

[SteveB]

Gentlemen

I can't comment on "Fighter Command Losses" as I said Pearson obviously was debriefed for and signed the Combat Report for 7 April 1945. Pearson is recorded again on Form 541 on 14 April and on 19 April he was the pilot of the well known YT*E that force landed in Sweden.

Steve

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thanks for the reminder Steve

Obviously Franks didn't wonder why Pearson could be listed by him first on the 7th and then have time to both get back to England and be operational again in 12 days to forceland outside Varberg on the 19th. Incidentally Pearson was interned for 10 days

At least it makes me pretty sure who was in KH686 on the 7th.

Cheers
Stig

[Bergen]

An update on this here, published today:

https://www.nrk.no/sognogfjordane/xl...yst-1.13133732