Battle loss, 29 July 1940.

[Martin Gleeson]

Hallo all,

Battle L5584 of 142 Squadron was lost without trace in the early hours of 29 July 1940. The crew were detailed to attack Brussels-Evere airfield.
Does anyone know anything about the circumstances of its loss ? Could it have been claimed by Flak ?
I know a second Battle was also lost and the crew captured.

I have been asked about this by a relative of the pilot, P/O MJA Kirdy.

Regards,

Martin Gleeson.

[Larry]

According to The Battle File by Sidney Shail (Air Britain Publications), L5584 of 142 Sqn carried a crew of three: PO MJA Kirdy, Sgt N Loncluse and Sgt RM Hettle, who were all killed.

It would have carried a QT Squadrion code though William Chorley in RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War 1939-1940 says the code was WT which I think is an error.

They took off from Binbrook at 00.05hrs and their loss is described as missing without trace so the exact cause is not known and therefore the crew is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

If L5584 was shot down by a Nightfighter then there may be a corresponding claim by a Luftwaffe unit, though at this stage in the war it was less common. More likely is that it was hit by flak or had engine trouble over the sea and ditched.

The target that night was as you say Evere Airfield nr Brussels.

[Martin Gleeson]

Hallo Larry,

Thanks for that. I know it not a nightfighter having checked NACHTJAGD WAR DIARIES, Vol. 1 by Theo Boiten. Flak or engine trouble seem the most likely cause of loss.

Regards,

Martin.

[Larry]

Martin,

If I had to choose between flak damage at night and engine trouble for an aircraft lost in 1940, I'd say the latter.